“There will be a lot to do before we leave. We’ll be gone for a couple of months so packing correctly will be important. You’ll be bringing your lady’s maid, of course, so speak with her about what you need to take with you.”
“I will,” she replied. “Do you think at some time we could go to Provence? I hear it’s so pretty down there on the Mediterranean Sea.”
Lucien nodded. “Yes, of course we can. It’s one place I’ve always wanted to visit. Once we arrive in Paris, you and I can sit down and decide what we want to do and how long we should spend.”
“Your parents won’t mind?”
“No. We can visit Nice after we do Italy. There are trains and such to get us there,” Lucien said.
“There certainly have been some unexpected turns since we returned. I think I should speak with my mother and make sure she’s really good with all of this.”
She and her mother had been on opposite sides for a long time. Her mother wanted her living one way, even as a married woman. As much as she loved her mother, Harriet knew the last person she wanted to be like was her own mother. She didn’t need the hysteria caused by her, something her mother seemed to thrive in. By putting off any social event to celebrate their marriage, it gave more time to plan something more elaborate.
Harriet wondered what she’d be like when it came time for her to plan out their first social event. She’d be more organized and begin planning months in advance with who would be invited to what sort of refreshments would be offered. Invitations would be prepared by hand writing them in calligraphy rather than printing them out. Though it took longer, the effort put into hand done invitations was more than satisfying.
“What are you so deep in thought about?” Lucien’s voice woke her from her thoughts.
“Nothing important, just silly nonsense.”
“I can’t believe it’s anything silly,” Lucien replied.
“One thing to be thankful for with all these changes is that your partner can deal with the Prince of Wales directly.”
“Excellent point. Miles and the prince seem to have built a rapport. It’s helped me out tremendously.”
Harriet picked up a book and thumbed through it. “I suppose we should go to bed. There’s a lot going on tomorrow.”
*
The ride tothe country was pleasant and uneventful. Harriet was looking forward to being there even if it was only for a couple of days. She walked alongside her husband once they arrived. Lucien wanted to see his beloved horse. His strides were much longer than hers and it was all she could do to keep up with him.
Onyx was found in the same stall with a paddock that they’d left him the previous time they’d seen him. He was outside when they entered the stable, but when Lucien whistled to him, Onyx came walking inside nickering as he recognized his owner.
Opening the stall door, Lucien stepped inside to examine the animal’s knees. “They’re healing nicely,” he said.
“Will you be able to ride him soon?” Harriet inquired.
“Possibly when we return from the Continent,” Lucien replied.
Harriet stepped inside the stall and ran her hand along the stallion’s muscular neck. “I know you’ll both be happy for that day, and I’m sure he’s going to be full of energy after months of being idle.”
“Yes, he’ll be a handful,” Lucien replied. “There will be some exercises to put him through before I get back on him.”
“To tame his pent-up energy?”
“Yes. I may have him put in one of the detached paddocks so he can walk there and have different scenery.”
Harriet smiled. “I’m sure he’d appreciate that. Could we do it now?”
“We could but I’d rather speak with the stable manager before making changes. He sees Onyx on a daily basis, so if there’s anything going on I don’t know about, he would know.”
“That makes sense,” she replied.
“Why don’t we walk to the house and have a light luncheon brought to us on the terrace. I hate wasting a beautiful day like this being stuck inside.”
“You are so in tune to everything around us. You are more than I ever imagined my husband would be,” she said. Her face said it all. As they began to walk towards the house, she tucked her hand into the crook of his arm.
“I’m glad you approve,” he snorted.
