Page 54 of A Marriage of Convenience with a Rake
“I will address your concerns,” he said firmly. “But I must request that you do not bother my family any longer. You may remain here tonight, but I must insist that you find new lodgings tomorrow morning. Your presence here brings too much disturbance.”
Jonathan looked at him wide-eyed but nodded. “Yes, my lord,” he said softly.
Sebastian breathed out. The fellow had decided not to argue, and that was good, at least. He looked at Eleanor. She was leaning against him, her arms wrapped tight around him, still shivering in the cold. He glanced at her brother, who was standing there uncertainly in the darkness.
“Go indoors,” Sebastian instructed him. “You can follow the gardener up the path—he's headed to the gardener’s hut, and he can instruct you in how to get to the back door. Inform the housekeeper that you will be staying and ask her to organise some accommodation for you. We will follow shortly.”
Jonathan glanced at him, his eyes wide in the darkness, but again he was no longer argumentative, and he turned around to go up the path, muttering in agreement and thanks as he went onwards up the pathway in the dark.
Sebastian stood where he was. His arms tightened around Eleanor, who was still shivering. He glanced sideways. They were at the stables. They really had walked too far from the manor. The lights from the ballroom were much further than he had thought.
“You’re exhausted,” he murmured, holding her close. He could feel the silky strands of her hair pressed against his face and his senses were becoming overwhelmed. “You can’t walk back.”
“I can,” she said softly, but he could hear how she was shaking, even as she spoke those words.
“I think we should take my horse,” he said swiftly. “You are too tired and cold.”
“No,” she whispered. “No. Please.”
He frowned. “You are scared, aren’t you?” he asked at once.
“No. Well, a little,” she admitted, looking up at him. He grinned.
“You’re scaredof horses?” The thought amazed him. He had never met anyone who was scared of horses before. He had been raised riding from the time he was four years old, and a love and trust of horses had been something he was raised with, something he took for granted. He stared at her in disbelief.
“Yes,” she whispered, and he could hear she was sincere, her voice tight and frightened. “Yes.”
“No!” He chuckled. “Sorry,” he added, taking her hand. “But I was just surprised. You’re really scared of all horses?”
She nodded. “I am,” she said, and he could see a little sparkle of annoyance in her eyes. “Is that amusing?”
“No. No,” he said quickly. “Not at all. I didn’t expect that anyone would be scared of horses. Sorry,” he added swiftly. She smiled.
“Well, I am,” she replied.
He sighed, looking around. It really was dark, and now that the gardener and Jonathan had returned to the house, they seemed very isolated.
“Would it be all right if I rode with you?” he asked. “It is cold and unsafe out here, and I’d like to get you back to the house swiftly.”
She looked up at him and he was surprised that her gaze softened.
“Mayhap,” she replied softly.
Sebastian let out a sigh of relief. “Well, then,” he said swiftly.“We should go to the stables at once. I’ll have Starburst saddled up in no time.”
He led her into the stables, taking her to the place where the feed was stored.
“If you wait here,” he said gently. “I’ll be a moment.”
“Um...yes,” she replied, drawing his coat about her. “I’ll wait here.”
“Good.” He let out a sigh. He longed to kiss her. She looked so frightened, and he wanted to comfort her, but he had no way of telling if kissing her would frighten her even more. He made himself go to the tack-room instead, lifting the saddle and bridle from their shelf by the door.
“Come on, old fellow,” he murmured to Starburst as he reached his stall. “We need to help Eleanor stop being scared.”
Starburst snorted and Sebastian smiled to himself, sure the stallion understood him. He threw the saddle over, tightening the girth. Starburst stood still and didn’t do any of his usual tricks and Sebastian patted him, relieved, and led him out onto the packed-dirt path between the stalls.
“Sebastian...” Eleanor murmured as he led the stallion past her and out to the mounting block outside.
