Once they stepped outside, Colin walked over to the left side of Arabella’s horse and said, “Allow me.” He intertwined his fingers and leaned down.
“Thank you,” she murmured as she placed her hands on his shoulders and allowed him to assist her onto her side saddle.
Once she was situated, she reached for the reins from the groom and waited for Colin to mount.
“Where should we ride to?” Colin asked.
“Follow me,” she said, kicking her horse into a run.
Arabella felt the wind on her face as she leaned lower in her saddle. She glanced over and was pleased to see Colin riding next to her. As she turned towards the woodlands, Colin slowed his horse’s gait and trailed behind her on the path.
They arrived at the stream, and she reined in her horse. “I thought today would be a brilliant day to visit the stream.”
Colin gave her a knowing smile. “I should just gift you this parcel of land.”
“I would greatly appreciate that,” she replied cheekily. “It would save me the trouble of having to trespass on your land.”
“You are always welcome on my lands, Bella.”
After Arabella effortlessly dismounted, she saw an iron bench sitting a few yards back from the stream. “Where did this bench come from?”
Colin smiled. “I had it brought down here for you,” he said. “I thought it would be much more comfortable than sitting on a fallen log.”
“That was very thoughtful of you,” she acknowledged.
He shrugged off her praise. “It was a small thing.”
Arabella walked over to the bench and sat down. She leaned her head back and looked up at the trees. “It is so lovely here,” she said. “I could stay in this spot forever.”
“You would starve if you did so,” Colin joked.
“But I would die happy.”
Colin walked over to the bench and pointed to the seat next to her. “May I?”
“Please,” she encouraged.
After he sat down, he asked, “Now, will you tell me what transpired between you and Lord Eastwood that caused you to be so upset?”
She huffed. “Lord Eastwood is insufferable.”
“I will not disagree with you there,” Colin said. “He has always been too cocky for his own good, even when we were at Eton.”
“Lord Eastwood was adamant that we should be wed at once.”
“Why?”
“He claims that his father will cut his allowance if he fails to do so.”
“But you don’t believe him?”
“I am unsure,” she replied. “Frankly, I don’t trust anything that comes out of Lord Eastwood’s mouth.”
“That is wise.”
Frowning, Arabella shared, “Furthermore, he assured me that once we were married, he would be more discreet when pursuing Lady Georgiana.”
Colin’s brow lifted. “He said that?”
