“Well, we should avoid that travesty then.” Luke gestured to the sky.
“I am surprised you care so much for my discomfort.” Emily teased him, and for a moment Luke thought she would gently prod him, as she did when they were studying together.
A mix of panic and anticipation flared in him, but she simply laughed. “Maybe I simply do not relish the thought of you being told off.”
“And yet you do so most regularly.” She said.
Luke frowned. “It would be rather improper for me to tell you off.”
“It seems I would make you behave rather improperly.” Emily said, though her words seemed to hold some unspoken question.
I will show you how improper I can be.His words sprang into his mind. They had not spoken of the ride, not in any detail.She was delirious. No doubt she does not remember any of it.
Some part of him wanted to ask, but he stopped himself. “Apparently so.”
He stopped walking, the thought of that day filling him with a pacing energy. Emily noticed that he had dropped behind and turned to him.
“Are you coming?” she asked.
He shook his head, swallowing – his throat suddenly dry. “I am feeling rather restless. I will leave you to return to the castle alone.”
Luke was sure he saw a flash of disappointment cross Emily’s face, but it was gone so fast he convinced himself that it was only in his imagination. “As you wish. Good bye, your Grace.”
“Good bye, Miss Pembleton.” He inclined his head.
As Emily disappeared into the distance, he turned and walked away. Raindrops began to fall, but he did not turn back. Instead, he found himself wishing they could wash whatever was happening away.I am giving into fancy, there is nothing happening.
How could anything be happening? She was to be his brother’s intended – not his. They were friends, nothing more.Neither of us wants anything else.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“Ican do this. You can do this, Emily. Come on.” Emily muttered to herself as she approached the stables later that evening.
She had not seen the Duke since her return to the castle, and had felt restless herself. On an impulse, she decided to go out for a ride, but as she approached the stables, she felt her trepidation grow.
“You have been thrown from a horse before. Stop being ridiculous.” She chided herself.
It was true, she had been thrown several times in fact, though never as badly as that time. She had never been so scared on a horse before.
She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry as she approached the stables. The stablemaster spotted her and moved towards her.
“Do you wish to ride Miss Pembleton? I can have a horse prepared in a few moments.” He waved down on of the grooms.
“I…” Emily licked her lips, feeling panic spread through her. “Yes.”
“I shall have someone saddle one of the mares. She has a good temperament.” The stablemaster said kindly.
“That is very kind of you, thank you.” Emily took a steadying breath.
“Of course, Miss.” The stablemaster smiled. “It is always better to get back on the horse as soon as you are able.”
The man nodded his head towards her, and then disappeared after the groom he had flagged down. Emily ran a hand over her riding habit. It was not the same one she had worn on the hunt, she still could not quite bear to look at the thing.
“What are you doing?” a sharp voice said from behind her, and she turned to see the Duke of Warren striding towards her.
“What does it look like?” Emily frowned at him.
“It looks like you are going for a ride. Has the physician said it was safe for you to do so?”
