Page 11 of A Flaming Lady's Secret Valentine
“I do nothave it in me to be upset with you, Cecilia. That is my cross to bear as your mother. I will never be impartial to your wants and desires, misguided though they may be. To my mind, Radcliff is as gallant and well-rounded a potential husband as there will ever be. But I am not the one who must marry him.”
“You will give me some time?”
“I will.” The duchess smiled reassuringly and continued with her needlework. “Your father, however, is another beast entirely.”
“On that note,” Cecilia breathed, “I think I shall retire for the morning as Daphne has.”
“Are you quite tired?”
“Why not?” Setting down her unconvincing rose beside Daphne’s, Cecilia turned for the door.
As she did, something caught her eye from the window. Two riders were approaching the house from the drive. One of them was her brother, and the other looked suspiciously like Mr Travers. Her anxiety was superseded by excitement, and she quickly gave herself a once-over in the nearby mirror. Fluffing her ringlets, she made her way into the entrance hall, where she called for her pelisse and hat to be brought forth.
The great doors yawned open. Cecilia stepped out just as Edward drew up on horseback, and the frigid morning air wreathed around her. Mr Travers was not far behind, though he rode up with less enthusiasm than Edward. He appeared to be covered in muck.
“A welcome party? What I have I done to fall in your good graces, sister?” Edward slipped out of his saddle and asked for a footman to fetch their groom. “Good morning to you.”
“Good morning to you,” Cecilia echoed, her eyes flickering between the two recent arrivals. “However, you are not in my good graces. For fact, after last night you should be glad that I consider you a brother at all.” She smiled despite herself. “A pleasure to see you, Mr Travers.”
With less grace than her brother, Mr Travers dismounted his horse. He looked down at his attire and laughed. “In slightly dire straits, I am afraid.”
“Was this my brother’s doing?” They eased into banter easily. Cecilia could not remember the last person she had met who made her feel so comfortable and so intrigued all at once. “He is bent on wickedness as of late.”
“Not that it is any concern of yours, but I found Mr Travers in this state. Only after which did I invite him to join me on my ride.”
“Which is a wickedness in and of itself,” Raphael interjected. His smile was slightly lopsided, and infectious. He nodded toward the house and shrugged off his haversack. “A change of clothes is in order before I set foot inside.”
Edward took the bag from him. “All right, permission granted.”
“You are headed off so soon?” When Mr Travers nodded, Cecilia was susceptible to a bout of wickedness herself. “Perfect! I was headed to the stables and could use someone to walk me down.”
She must have been a decent enough actress, as Mr Travers and Edward shared a surprised look. “What business do you have at the stables, sister?”
“The business of riding, naturally.”
“Do you ride, Lady Cecilia?”
“Not terribly frequently,” she stammered.
Edward guffawed. “Not for years, you mean! Do you still remember how?”
“It cannot be that difficult if you do it,” she snapped back.
Mr Travers burst out laughing, and she was proud. “I apologise, my lord.”
“Oh, do notbe sorry for me. You have to take Lady Cecilia riding.” Edward spun on his heel and walked away. “Do try not to fall and break your neck, Cecilia!
She rolled her eyes and glanced at Mr Travers.
And as they were left alone in the drive, she realised what she had done.
Chapter 5
“Shall we be off, then?”
Raphael looked down at Lady Cecilia, his heart thrumming in his chest. Edward had thought nothing of them walking together down to the stables. Raphael had thought that unmarried ladies needed chaperones, but he saw none in sight. Not until Cecilia stopped walking to look back at him, and he realized thathewas it.
She gazed at him beneath the rim of her hat. “It aught amiss?”
