Page 17 of The Duke Who Loved a Widow
Robert nodded, mounting his horse and waving as he rode off towards the lake.
The sun shone high in the sky, and he cantered along the meadow to the lake, feeling glad to be alive. He slowed as he reached the lakeside and tethered Mercury to a tree. He’d go on foot along the lake path. After yesterday's incident, he had no desire to almost ride into anyone else.
The trees were almost in full leaf, and the woods were ablaze with bluebells and periwinkles, shining blue under the trees. It wasn’t long before he heard voices.
That must be Elinor and Freddy.
He could hear a child’s voice and hurried his pace. He turned a corner in the path and stopped, rooted to the spot. He recognized the boy who was playing a game of chase with Freddy.
His sister Elinor and a young lady he did not recognize stood talking to Nathaniel the parson.
Mickle raced up to Freddy, and both boys began petting the dog, who lapped up the affection and rolled over onto her back so they could tickle her tummy.
When he looked away from the boys, she stood there watching him. Those green eyes glinted in the sunshine, though her body language showed she had stiffened and was wary of him.
Of course, the last time we met, I reprimanded her for how she looked after her son. She must hate me.
Chapter 6
Aunt Grace suggested Arabella take Henry on a long walk near the lake. Emma was keen to join them, perhaps because the walk would take them close to the parsonage in the village. Arabella could see that her aunt was planning a spring cleaning day, with all the household staff working together to prepare the house for the summer season and the dinner party the following day.
It would be better for my aunt if we were all out of the way, and it would be a lovely day for a walk. I think I may even ask Cook for some bread and cheese to make a picnic. It’s early, but we might even find wild strawberries in the woods.
She told Henry they wouldn’t study today and would go on a walk or, as he preferred to think of it, a nature ramble.
“Henry, I think that Dash had better stay at home today. His paw looks fine, but there may still be a risk of infection. I’d rather he didn’t jump in the lake.”
“Very well, Mama,” said Henry with disappointment.
“Why don’t you get a jar from the kitchen, and we can see if we can collect something interesting. I’ll carry a basket, and you take the jam jar.”
Henry raced off to ask Cook for a jar, and Arabella was relieved to see he was back to his usual high spirits.
Emma looked lovely in a straw bonnet with a blue ribbon and a pelisse of turquoise velvet.
Arabella knew her woollen cloak was beginning to show its age, but since Christopher had taken over the finances of Farrington Hall, she had no money for clothes or what he considered fripperies.
Only as they set out on the track leading towards the woods did she realize with a start of surprise and a pang of guilt that she had not thought of Edward that day. For almost two years, Edward had been one of the first things she thought of each morning. Today, she had thought instead about a strange meeting on a track in the woods.
They had promised Cook to bring back any wild strawberries they found in the woods by the lake. She had even told Arabella a good place to look for this precious early season fruit. If there were enough strawberries, she had promised to make a pie.
As they walked into the village, they saw Nathaniel digging in a small vegetable garden next to the lane. Henry called to him and ran to see what he was doing. Emma and Arabella followed along, and Arabella could feel their pace quicken as soon as her cousin saw the parson.
“Mama, Mama, can Reverend Colbrooke join us on our walk?” Henry called. “He knows where there are great crested newts in the lake. They are really rare,” he said seriously.
“Of course. Reverend Colbrooke. Would you care to join Miss Thraxton, Henry, and me on a country walk? We go in search of wild strawberries, and, erm, it seems great crested newts.”
“I shall get my coat and hat and join you,” he said, smiling openly at Emma.
Definitely a budding romance there, thought Arabella. I wonder how that will work out. I know Aunt Grace plans for Emma to come out and have a season in London.
The path led down through the forest. Arabella noticed that Emma seemed a little disappointed that Nathaniel walked ahead with Henry, discussing facts about nature. He also brought in some myths and legends, and Arabella knew she needed to ask him soon about possibly tutoring Henry. She mentioned this idea to Emma, who immediately brightened up at the prospect of more opportunities to see Nathaniel.
“I’m sure that would work,” said Emma with enthusiasm. “I believe he is beginning to give lessons to Frederick at the castle. Mama is right; it would be good for the boys to have some lessons together.”
As they approached the place where Cook had suggested looking for wild strawberries, they heard voices. “I think it is Lady Rathby and Freddy from Castle Montbury," said Emma. “How strange, as I was just talking about Freddy a few minutes ago.”
Soon, Freddy and Henry were chasing about while Nathaniel finally spoke with Emma. This left Elinor and Arabella talking together.
