There was something about how she said her words thatmade him wonder if she meant what she said. “No harm done.” He rose and dusted off his trousers. “I’m afraid I am more mortified than anything. I can’t remember the last time I was upended off my horse.”
“It was through no fault of your own,” she said.
He appreciated what she was trying to do, but it was him that was covered in dirt. “You aren’t riding by yourself, are you?” he found himself asking.
The young woman turned her head towards the direction she had come from. “No, my brother is coming but his horse isn’t as fast as my mare. He left his horse on the Continent and he had to make do with one of the horses in our stables.”
“I take it that your brother is a soldier.”
“He was,” she replied.
The sound of pounding hooves could be heard and it was only a moment later before a familiar rider approached. A smile came to his lips when he saw Lord Chatsworth rein in his horse.
Harred put his hand up in greeting. “Fredrick,” he acknowledged. “I have heard rumors of you returning but I wasn’t sure if there was any truth behind them.”
Fredrick gave him a curious look as he asked, “Why are you covered in dirt? And why is your horse over there?”
He was about to explain but the young woman spoke first. “Rosie spooked his horse when we jumped the hedge and he was upended.”
“You jumped the hedge… again?” Fredrick asked with a frown. “I believe I have explained that is far too dangerous for you.”
“And yet, I do it every time and I am perfectly fine,” she replied.
Fredrick turned his attention back towards Harred. “I’m sorry for my sister. She is usually much better behaved than this.” He spoke his words with a serious expression but there was a lightheartedness to them.
“I think your sister is a delight,” Harred said. The moment the words left his mouth, he wished he could take them back. What had he been thinking saying something like that? It was much too bold, especially for someone he hadn’t even been introduced to.
The young woman gave her brother a smug smile. “Did you hear that?” she asked. “He said I was a delight.”
“I wouldn’t think too much of it because he clearly hit his head,” Fredrick joked before he went to address Harred. “Would you like me to go collect your horse?”
“That won’t be necessary. I can see to my own horse,” Harred said.
The young woman adjusted the reins in her hands as she remarked, “I do believe an introduction is in order, don’t you agree, Brother?”
Fredrick nodded in agreement. “Lord Kendal, allow me the privilege of introducing you to my sister, Lady Octavia.”
Harred bowed. “Enchanted, my lady. I’m afraid our introduction is far overdue,” he said. “For every time I visited your country estate, you were away at boarding school.”
“Well, I do wish I was meeting you under better circumstances, but here we are.” Lady Octavia’s horse whinnied. “I do believe Rosie wishes for an introduction, too.”
Fredrick shook his head. “Rosie is a terrible name for a horse.”
“It is a perfectly acceptable name for a horse,” Lady Octavia contended.
“My sister is terrible at naming her animals,” Fredrick explained. “She named her pet peacock after me and her horse after Roswell. For some reason, she could find no other suitable names for them.”
Harred furrowed his brow. “You have a pet peacock?”
“Yes, it was a rather unfortunate purchase,” Lady Octavia replied. “I thought Freddy would be somewhat attentive to me, but I’m afraid he hates me. He chases me whenever hehas the chance and has a horrible temperament.” A smirk came to her lips. “Much like my brother’s temperament.”
Fredrick looked heavenward. “Why did I agree to go riding with you again?” he asked.
“Because you love me, and you knew I would go mad if I didn’t get out of our townhouse,” Lady Octavia said.
“One would think you would be nicer to me then,” Fredrick remarked.
Lady Octavia laughed. “Why start now?” she asked.
