Page 88 of A Tenuous Betrothal
Rhi nodded and whistled for Firestorm. When she leaped up onto her own horse without a bit of help, Marc could only smile, genuinely this time.
She rode out between them, a Wilhelm on each side, and Marc had to admit that with her beside him, things were just as they should be.
She looked in his direction twice before speaking. “I’d love to hear more about it all. This Congress of Vienna, everything.”
“Frederick can tell you all about it.” He leaned closer, keeping his voice down. “You look smashing. And Firestorm seems to have borne the journey well.”
Rhi blushed and then cleared her face of emotion. “Yes, she was anxious to run, but she seems fully recovered. And already acclimating to our new home.”
Marc liked the sound of Rhi calling his home her own.
They rode close. Close enough for him to see the small smile lines at the outer edges of her eyes, to see that she seemed pleased with her ride and her new home but was tired. Close enough to wish he could reach for her hand and, more, embrace her. The time away felt like a burden already, and he’d only missed her presence for the afternoon.
“Frederick has been entertaining me with tales of your youth.”
“In that case, I must tell you that everything he has said that is not complimentary is a farfetched tale worthy of Shakespeare, no doubt.”
“But he’s been nothing but complimentary.”
Frederick bowed his head in mock humility. “Of course, Brother. When I told her how you fell in the river while trying to help a poor tenant family and how you lost your britches—”
Rhi gasped. “You did not tell that one.”
“Shh. We have to embarrass him.”
Rhi shook her head. “I heard you all like to tease. I need to sharpen my skills, I think.”
Marc snorted. “Oh, you have skills aplenty.” He turned to Frederick. “Her wit is sharp and kind. I’ve found her entertaining throughout our four-week voyage.”
She bowed her head again. “The journey was glorious. It was blue and beautiful, and the company was the finest.”
Frederick had kept unnaturally quiet for these last interchanges. Marc was certain he’d hear his brother’s perceptions later.
They all kept their horses at a walk, no one seeming in too great a hurry to end the small outing. Marc knew Rhi wished he would reveal more about his mission and what his plans were, but he didn’t feel inclined.
After a moment of companionable silence among the three of them, she surprised him by saying, “Tell me where you go when you want to be alone to think.”
His mouth twitched, and then he pointed out across the fields. “I do exactly this. You stopped at the stream, which is one of the many places you could find me when I’m deep in thought.”
She nodded, not seeming overly surprised.
“And where do you go when you wish to divert yourself?” she asked.
“Now, that greatly depends on the company.”
Frederick laughed. “Doyou take time to divert yourself, Brother?”
“I do, actually. You are making me sound like a man who cannot relax.”
Frederick merely raised both eyebrows.
“For fun, when I do not have to concern myself with the safety and security of our country, I enjoy shuttlecock.”
Frederick snorted.
“And outdoor spring bathing.”
“Oh, brr,” Rhi said. “Is it very cold?”
