Earlier, when Graham and I had met up with Elizabeth at the sheep pasture and again at the house, I had followed her every movement. The tightness in my chest had abated when her conduct towards Graham betrayed nothing beyond the interest she would show any other guest. Nevertheless, the suspicion that she took care to conceal her attraction to him tortured me at odd moments.
While I drank in the sight of my son and relished Elizabeth’s proximity, a bitter taste invaded my mouth for Graham’s intrusion—even if the angel did save my life, I wanted to send him away, far away.
Having come so close to losing everything the day before, life seemed more precious than ever. Tears threatened to escape my eyes at the reminder of how close I had come to losing everything. From this day forward, I should treasure each moment with my beloved family. One day, God willing, I should see Bennet grow to be a man and take command of the estate.
Above all else, I looked forward to a long, happy life with my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth. With a grim twist to my lips, I reaffirmed my imperative for the coming days: I should endureGraham to the best of my ability. At the week’s end, he would be gone.
Bennet raced up to Elizabeth and me, drawing me from my thoughts. He took each of us by the hand and tugged. “Mama, Papa, go see horses!”
“Shall we indulge the little tyrant?” Elizabeth grinned at me.
“Why not?” I shifted towards Graham. “We are taking Bennet to the stables.”And for pity’s sake, do not presume to join us.
“Very well.” He waved us on. "I shall await you in the house."
Thank goodness.I placed my hand in the small of Elizabeth’s back, and we set off.
My wife looked over her shoulder at Graham. “Shall we see you in the breakfast-parlour thirty minutes from now?”
“Yes, that sounds delightful.”
The three of us moved towards the stables. Rory darted on ahead, barking. For a time, Bennet ran to keep pace with Elizabeth and me. Within twenty yards of the stables, though, he stopped and raised his arms—he wanted to be carried.
A grin overtook me as I scooped him into my arms. “No doubt you are fatigued by now.” With his tiny form nestled against me, a surge of new energy fuelled my steps. Nothing compared with the cherished pleasure of holding Bennet, which I tried to do often. Soon enough, my boy would grow too old to be carried.
When the horses came into sight, Bennet bounced with glee in my arms. He gave a merry shout to the grey mare in the first stall. From his current height, Bennet could caress the mare’s head and neck with ease. As we progressed to each stall, my son called out the horses’ names. All but a few of them came to receive his attention. Bennet’s face reflected his delight as he brushed his hand along a roan mare’s velvety nose. My son always gave marked attention to Regal, in part because he understood the black steed was “Papa’s horse,” but also becausemy stallion never failed to greet Bennet and tolerated his ministrations with steadfast patience.
Elizabeth stood on the other side of Regal, stroking his neck. I had informed her of the Welsh pony for Bennet that would arrive soon, but the fine sorrel Arabian mare I had chosen for her would be a surprise. Various images came to me of her response upon first seeing her gift. Would she be pleased? Despite Elizabeth’s affection for her favourite, Tansy, a gentle dapple-grey mare, a younger and more spirited horse ought to be a better fit for her. Since our marriage, my wife’s riding skills had undergone a marked improvement.
“Why have you never mentioned Graham before?”
Botheration. I staved off a scowl. Of course, she must be curious about him. I stretched my head back for a view of her. “Have I not?”
“No, I am certain of that.”
“Well, I have not thought about him in a long while. I apologize for his sudden appearance.” The necessity to prevaricate made it difficult for me to maintain her gaze. “He had mentioned the possibility of travelling here in his most recent missive, but I misunderstood him and thought he meant to come in the spring.” Bennet tapped my shoulder, urging me to the next stall, and I moved forwards.
My wife continued at my side. “It is of no consequence. Mrs. Reynolds always has guest rooms ready in case of unexpected visitors. You have seemed a bit uneasy in Graham’s presence, though. I suppose he has changed from when you last saw him.”
I lifted Bennet towards a bay gelding. “Yes, he has altered so much that he is almost a stranger. It must be the effect of his having spent years residing in a foreign country.”
“I see.”
We moved to the next stall, and mercifully, she dropped the subject. We soon returned to the house and placed Bennet in the care of Miss Hunter.
Elizabeth
Our guest, Graham, made for an uncommon diversion at the breakfast table. He tucked into his plate laden with meats, eggs, muffins, toast, and slices of baked apple with an astonishing degree of gusto, making the food disappear at an amazing rate.
Did he always eat so much? I could barely keep my countenance. How did he avoid gaining an excess of weight? For goodness’ sake, the man consumed far more than my husband ever did! I shifted towards Fitzwilliam, who had barely touched anything on his plate. “Is everything to your liking? Perhaps you want something else.”
“No, thank you. I am not very hungry this morning.”
I peered at him. He revealed no sign of illness. Maybe the bustle attending his friend’s unexpected arrival diminished his appetite.
My attention returned to our blond guest as he reached for the bowl of poached eggs and added two more to his plate. “And you, Graham, may I presume you find the food acceptable?” I maintained anonchalanttone, but my smile may have taken on a wry cast.
He swallowed a large mouthful with the aid of a sip of ale. “Yes indeed. I have not had a finer meal in decades.”
