Page 18 of Once Upon a Winter's Tale
“I know it feels awkward, but I could not resist. Consider it a thank you for helping me select a gift for Lauren and a reminder of our day in the village.”
She nodded.
“Would you be interested in riding horses tomorrow?” he asked.
“I would. Yes!”
“Perfect. Let us plan for eleven o’clock.” He glanced around. “We should go in so I can speak to your mother about dinner tonight.”
Brianna was thrilled with his gift and had no plans to call attention to it. Jane Austen’s stories were captivating but had not adequately conveyed the glorious feeling of a man’s tender kiss, she mused as they walked into the house. This man—whose company she found charming, warm, and addictive—had kissed her senseless today in a bookstore, of all places. Brianna was sure her toes had curled… and she found she wanted much more kissing.
Chapter Seven
The next day
“Miss Brianna, youasked me to wake you up early,” Jane said, opening the curtains.
Brianna sat up and blinked at the sun streaming into the room. She stood and walked to the window, gazing out at the white, glistening scene before her. “It snowed again last night! It’s so beautiful.”
“Yes. The snow seems to be letting up. Are you and His Grace going horseback riding this morning?” Jane asked.
“We are. He asked me after the trip to the village yesterday, and Mama approved. I had hoped to wear the gold woolen habit.”
“It’s pressed and ready for you, Miss Brianna. Your mother mentioned you needed it last evening after dinner. Lady Thomas seems happy for the attention he’s paying you,” the maid said.
“What makes you think so? She seemed reticent when he asked,” Brianna replied. “But she gave her approval.”
“Miss Brianna, ’tis not my place to be saying this, but I have known your mother since before you were born. My mistress’s eyes have always mirrored her heart. And what I see in her eyes, what I’ve noticed when he invites the two of you for dinner and what I see when you go to the village, is happiness.”
Brianna’s heart skipped a beat. She had been worried about disappointing her mother.
“Let’s get you dressed, because he will be here soon and you won’t have a decent chance of breaking your fast,” Jane said, and nodded toward the corner of the room. “Your tub is ready behind the screen. You must promise to keep a close eye on the snowfall. The duke isn’t as familiar with this area’s weather as you are, and you know how easily you could become stranded or lost in a blizzard.”
“I promise, Jane,” Brianna said. Jane was right. Snowstorms could be erratic here.
An hour later, she met her mother in the dining room to break her fast. “Good morning, Mama,” she said, filling her plate and taking a seat across from her mother.
“You look lovely, darling,” Mama said, taking a small spoon and stirring her tea before regarding her daughter. “You like the duke.”
It was more a statement than a question. “I do, Mama,” Brianna said. “But I have no expectations. He’s been here for such a brief time and will be gone in a few days. He plans to visit another property when he leaves.”
“Oh?” her mother replied. “Where do you plan to ride your horses?”
Before Brianna could answer, Augustus announced the duke. “I’ve placed him in the parlor, Lady Thomas.”
“Thank you, Augustus,” Brianna returned. “Mama, I forgot to mention to Jane that his footman planned to accompany us. Jane needn’t come. She’s afraid of horses.”
“Oh goodness! That’s right. Thank you for letting the duke know. Jane has been too good to us over these years.” Mama looked down at her plate. “And she’s seen us through diff… many years.”
“He mentioned the beach as a good place to ride,” Brianna added.
“That’s a wonderful place. I used to ride on the beach when you were a small girl. It’s a beautiful place, especially in this weather. Go! Enjoy yourselves.”
*
An hour later,both horses cantered across the stark white sands in front of the towering spirals of snow blowing up in a spinning motion from the sand like a top. For a few minutes, they rode quietly, with West riding a short distance behind them.
The salt of the sea breeze fondled her face, providing a cleansing feeling as it blew. She spurred her horse ahead just as a rogue gust of wind blew her hat from her head and loosened her hair until it blew wildly behind her. Enjoying the unbound freedom, she swiped at the dampened curls blowing across her eyes.
