“Is there any improvement?” she asked.
“Yes, I see significant healing. More the reason to keep him stalled, but if he continues to improve, I’ll consider letting him have time in the paddock.”
“That’s good to hear,” Harriet replied, handing the last piece of the apple to Onyx. She watched as Lucien righted himself.He petted the animal once more before closing the door that separated them.
“I’m delighted at his improvement.”
“Is it possible to perhaps give him a little more space by removing the wall between two stalls? I only say this because he’s such a huge horse and could maybe benefit from a little more room,” Harriet asked.
Lucien peered at the wood wall that separated the two stalls. “That’s a thought. I’ll speak with the stablemaster and see what he thinks of the idea.”
As they walked out of the stable, Harriet looked up at the sky which had darkened significantly. “We need to head back to the house before the rain begins again,” she said.
Lucien glanced up and nodded. He walked over to the two young men and spoke to them for a moment. When he joined her, he took her hand and began briskly walking.
“Where was the stablemaster?” she asked.
“His wife is giving birth. It’s their first child and he wanted to be there. The two grooms are quite efficient and know what to do.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“Come on, walk faster. I just felt drops.”
“So did I,” Harriet replied.
By the time they opened the door and stepped inside, the rain let loose in a downpour. Both removed their boots and left them where the knife boy would find them and polish them.
Looking at the table, Harriet noticed food had been left for them. Freshly baked scones, jam, butter. A small beef roast along with potatoes and peas was covered and waiting along with a loaf of fresh bread and a seed cake.
“Your cook is very good with being innovative, finding simple fare for us to enjoy without all the time required.”
“Yes, I think you’ll be pleased. Most of the staff stayed on, and I’m happy they did. It makes life so much easier if the household runs efficiently,” Lucien replied with a grin.
“Would you care for some tea and scones? We could be naughty and eat them in bed.”
“Hmmm. I can think of some other uses for that jam,” Lucien said.
“Lucien!”
“On second thought, perhaps we should eat them in the drawing room,” Harriet said.
“It matters not where we eat them. We have the house to ourselves. No one’s going to walk in on us, so we can be naughty anywhere we want to be,” Lucien replied.
Harriet knew he was right, but she wasn’t yet comfortable being intimate with her husband except in the privacy of their bedroom. This was still so new to her.
“Harriet? Darling, have you heard one word of what I just said?” he asked.
She suddenly looked up at him and gave him a shy smile. “I’m sorry. My mind seemed to wander. Something about us being alone?”
“It’s not important. If everything is ready, why don’t we take it upstairs to our bedroom?”
“Yes, we should. The house isn’t as warm with no one here to keep fires lit in the rest of the house.”
Harriet followed Lucien through the house. He carried a tray with a teapot and cups and saucers. Harriet brought the scones and jam on a smaller tray. The house was silent except for the ticking of a grandfather clock in the upstairs hall. She tried not to smile as she imagined the house with a passel of children—their children running through the hallways and rooms. That would come in time. Something she would welcome. She’dalways loved children, loved playing with relatives’ and friends’ youngsters.
She realized they were almost to their bedroom, so she cleared her head of all that nonsense. She and Lucien still needed to get to know each other because once this ended, he would be back into his railroad cars and overseeing this estate.
Upon entering the sitting room, she followed Lucien straight to the bed. He set the tray down on a nearby table and then, taking the one Harriet was carrying, he set it on the bed. She grinned shyly at him before going to fix them both a cup of tea.
