“Of course, my dear. I’ll try my very best to help convince Mama, but you must not be too disappointed if we cannot convince her. She only has your best interests at heart.”
“I know, but it doesn’t change how I feel about Hartley. Still, the last thing I want is to disappoint her or Gran. Thank you, Mercy, for speaking with me. I’ve missed our conversations.”
“As have I, my darling.”
Harriet felt better, having talked with her sister about her feelings, and when she finally laid her head on her pillow later that night, she fell asleep dreaming of the earl.
The next morning, Harriet strolled to the stables to find Wiltshire waiting for her.
“Good morning, Harriet.”
She walked over and kissed his cheek. “Good morning. Thank you for riding with me today.”
“It’s a beautiful day for a ride. Do you have a destination in mind?”
“There’s a lovely stream not far into the woods where we can water the horses… after a good gallop, of course.”
Wiltshire nodded. “Of course,” he said, lifting her up on Meribelle before vaulting into the saddle and guiding the horses out of the stable.
“Are you enjoying your time in Bath?” Harriet asked.
“Yes. I’m always happy to see everyone, and I know my dear wife loves being able to see you, your grandmother, and your mother. Seeing Miss Weston is an added benefit. I know she misses her friend’s company.”
“I’m so glad you could visit before heading to your country seat. I’ve missed seeing you both. It seems strange not to have my sister around to talk to every day.”
“I can imagine. It must be hard to be separated.”
“It is, but I’ve never seen her look so happy, and I do enjoy her letters.”
As they neared the property line, Harriet was disappointed not to see Hartley waiting for her. She didn’t want Wiltshire to see her distress, so she shouted, “Race you to the tree line!”
Even with a bit of a head start, there was no way Meribelle could beat Wiltshire’s stallion to the tree line. Harriet pulled back on the reins. “Easy, girl.”
“That was a very good showing for Meribelle, but there’s no way she could beat Ares,” Wiltshire said as they guided the horses to the stream. He dismounted before reaching up and lifting Harriet down. “Shall we sit a moment while the horses drink?”
She nodded and sat upon the large flat rock. The same rock where she and Hartley had kissed after he saved her from the runaway Meribelle.
“I know you’re disappointed he’s not here,” Wiltshire said.
There was no use in denying that she knew who her brother-in-law was talking about. “He doesn’t always come to meet me.”
“Does that upset you?”
Harriet shook her head. “I’m happy when he’s waiting for me, but I know he’s not always able to be here. I accept his limitations.”
Wiltshire took her hand. “My darling Harriet, what do you hope for with Hartley?”
“Oh Wiltshire, you must know how much I admire your friend.”
“Indeed I do, but Hartley is a complicated fellow and may not be able to be who you want him to.”
“I don’t want to change him. I merely want to share my life with him.”
“Are you in love with Hartley?”
“I am, and I’m willing to wait for however long it takes for him to realize I’m the perfect woman for him.”
“And why do you believe that? Hartley isn’t the same man that went off to war. He’s been physically and emotionally scarred and may not be able to give you what you need. As you saw at the breakfast, he has no control over his panic.”
