Page 74 of Kathryn

Gerrit could not look away. “I will take you to the beach.”

Once again, she smiled. “I would like that.”

He had no idea of what to say, so they rode in silence until they reached a fork in the path, and he led them to the left.

“Where does the other path lead?”

“It goes through Echo Forest to Briarly’s Dower House.”

“I did not know there was one. Is it occupied?”

“Yes.”

She flinched at his harsh tone, the open, happy expression on her face dimming.

“Mrs. St. Clare lives there.”

“Oh, the lady from the private box at church.”

“Correct.” Gerrit was not ashamed of Amelia, but he did not relish explaining her presence to his new wife. Especially not with his mother here. Once the dowager went home—soon, he hoped—Gerrit would attempt to explain his father’s arrangement with—

“What is that child doing?” Kathryn pointed to the pasture off to the right where he could see a blond head in the tall grass. “The poor thing is sobbing her heart out.” She reined in and awkwardly slid down from her horse.

“Kathryn, wait.” Gerrit quickly dismounted. “I will go see what is amiss. You stay—”

But she was already hurrying through the grass, leaving Gerrit to hold the horses.

***

“Why, what is the matter?” Katie asked, dropping to her haunches when the child—a tow-headed little girl—stared up at her with big pale blue eyes.

“Bobby and Davy weft me,” she said, her chin quivering.

“How dreadful of them. Are they your brothers?”

She nodded, lower lip thrust out.

“Brothers can be awful,” Katie said. “What is your name?”

“Susan.”

“That’s a pretty name. Where do you live?”

Susan pointed in the general direction of the path.

Katie held out a hand. “Why don’t you come with me, and I will take you home.”

Susan shook her head.

“I’ll let you ride on Robin. That’s my horse—the pretty copper one.” She pointed to Dulverton, who was leading the horses in their direction.

Susan’s eyes grew even larger. “I can wide on her?”

Katie bit back a grin at the girl’s adorable inability to say her r’s and l’s. “Robin is actually a boy horse, but yes, you may ride him. Just think of how your brothers will envy you.”

That was all the encouragement Susan needed.

Katie took her hand and led her toward Dulverton. “Her name is Susan, and she says she lives just around the curve. Her older brothers abandoned her. I told her we would take her home and she could ride Robin.”