Page 37 of Duke of Silver
Elizabeth returned the smile and made her way downstairs, her heart pounding a little faster with each step. As she descended, Mr. Ryton, the butler, appeared at the foot of the stairs.
“The Duke is waiting for you in the drawing room, Your Grace,” he said, bowing slightly.
Elizabeth’s pulse quickened again. She thanked him quietly and walked toward the drawing room, pausing just outside the doorto collect herself. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open.
Alexander stood before the grand portrait of the late Duke, his posture tall and dignified, the light from the nearby window casting a soft glow over him. Elizabeth stilled for a moment, watching him, her gaze tracing the lines of the portrait and comparing them to the man who stood in front of her. He had the same upright, commanding stance as his father, the same quiet strength that radiated from the painting.
“Alexander,” she said softly, her voice pulling him from his thoughts.
He turned to face her, a faint but unmistakable smile touching his lips. His gaze swept over her, lingering for a moment on her riding habit, and his expression warmed.
“Good morning, Elizabeth,” he said, his tone gentle, though there was a hint of something more in his eyes. “You look... prepared.”
She smiled, her heart leaping at the subtle compliment. “Good morning. I wasn’t expecting an invitation to ride, but I’m quite ready.”
“I thought it only fair to show you the estate,” he replied, offering his arm. “Shall we?”
Elizabeth hesitated only briefly before taking his arm, the warmth of his touch sending a slight shiver through her. Together, they made their way outside, where two horses were already waiting for them in the courtyard.
Alexander helped her mount, his hand steady at her waist. The brief touch lingered, and Elizabeth couldn’t help but feel the connection between them growing stronger with each passing moment. Once seated, she looked down at him, their eyes meeting for a heartbeat longer than necessary before he mounted his own horse.
“Shall we begin?” he asked, his voice carrying the faintest hint of amusement.
She nodded, and together they rode across the estate, the vast fields stretching out before them like a painting come to life. As they moved at a steady pace, Elizabeth found herself stealing glances at Alexander, intrigued by the way he seemed so at ease on horseback, so connected to the land around him.
“How long has the estate been in your family?” she asked, breaking the comfortable silence.
Alexander glanced at her, his expression thoughtful. “Since the time of the Tudors,” he replied. “It has passed from generation to generation, each one adding to it in some way. My family has always taken great pride in maintaining its legacy.”
Elizabeth could hear the pride in his voice, and she found herself drawn to this side of him—a man who cared deeplyfor his heritage, for the land he was entrusted with. “It must feel... daunting, sometimes,” she said softly. “To carry on such a legacy.”
He nodded, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. “It is. But it is also a privilege. I take great care to ensure the estate thrives.”
As they continued to ride, Alexander spoke of the estate’s history, of how it had evolved over the centuries. But when he mentioned his mother, Elizabeth noticed a slight change in his tone.
“My mother loved riding,” he said quietly. “She had a mare named Marietta and later, a stallion named Caesar. She often rode across these fields.”
Elizabeth smiled softly, but the absence of any mention of his father did not go unnoticed. She was tempted to ask, to delve into the unspoken history that lingered between them, but something held her back. She knew better than to push.
They approached the edge of the woods when Alexander pointed to their left, gesturing toward the barley fields. “Those fields produce some of the finest barley in England,” he remarked, pride lacing his words.
Elizabeth chuckled, glancing toward the fields. “Perhaps I should walk through them someday. It sounds like quite the adventure.”
Alexander raised a brow, his lips twitching into a smirk. “Seeking adventure, are you?”
She laughed, the sound light and genuine. “Hardly. A walk through the fields is less of an adventure than...” She paused, meeting his gaze with a playful glint. “...racing you.”
His eyes widened slightly in surprise. “Racing me? Are you certain you’re capable?”
Elizabeth feigned offense, sitting up straighter in her saddle. “Would you like to find out?”
A flicker of challenge sparked in his eyes, and with a brief nod, he turned his horse away from the woods and toward the open field opposite the barley. “Very well, then. The field is ours. Shall we?”
Elizabeth’s heart raced with excitement. She gave him a determined smile. “Let’s.”
With a flick of the reins, they were off. The race was exhilarating, the wind whipping through Elizabeth’s hair as her horse galloped across the field. Alexander was ahead at first, his pace swift and sure, but Elizabeth urged her horse on, feeling the thrill of the competition as she gained on him. For a brief moment, she was ahead, her laughter ringing out across the open space.
But then, Alexander caught up, and they drew even, neck and neck as they sped toward the end of the field. They came to a halt, breathless and laughing, the exhilaration of the race still coursing through their veins.
