His mother gave him a disapproving look. “Do you think that is wise?”
“I can hardly be expected to sit back and do nothing while someone robs me of my game,” Colin asserted.
“You have a gamekeeper to handle these sorts of situations.”
“I agree, but he has failed in that regard.”
“You are an earl now and you mustn’t take unnecessary risks.”
Colin leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. “You need not worry about me, Mother.”
“I will always worry about you,” she replied. “That is the job of any good mother.”
“I served in the army, and I daresay that Napoleon’s forces are more worrisome than a lone poacher.”
His mother didn’t appear convinced by his words. “I have heard about the terrible practices poachers employ to avoid capture,” she said. “Promise me that you will try to use some caution.”
“I can promise you that.”
“I have already lost one son, and I don’t intend to lose another.”
Colin gave her a reassuring smile. “What you’ve heard is probably about gangs of poachers raiding an area, killing all the game,” he stated. “That is not what is happening here.”
“I shall have to trust you, then.” She paused. “Although, you could always take a groom along with you.”
“That won’t be necessary,” he said.
The butler stepped back into the entry hall and announced, “Your horse has been saddled and is waiting out front.”
Colin turned back towards his mother. “May I leave now?”
“You may,” she replied with a wave of her hand. “Be off with you, before I change my mind.”
“Thank you, Mother,” he said before departing the manor.
* * *
Arabella racedher horse across the fields and enjoyed the cold, crisp air on her face. She’d had a restless night, and she needed to clear her mind. There had to be a way to help Colin overcome these episodes of overwhelming panic, but she was at a loss. The thought of Colin having any pain caused her heart to ache.
Up ahead, she saw Colin duck his horse into the woodlands and decided to see what he was about. She leaned lower in the saddle until she arrived where she saw him disappear.
Slowing her horse’s gait, she proceeded onto the well-worn path. The tree coverage grew denser, and she saw no sign of Colin. She was just about to give up when she heard a horse whinnying in the distance.
Arabella urged her mount forward, leaving the safety of the path behind. It wasn’t long before she saw Colin’s horse, but she saw no sign of him.
“Drat,” she muttered under her breath.
Knowing that her horse needed a break, she dismounted and walked over to Colin’s horse. “Where is your master?” she asked as she rubbed the horse’s neck.
Colin’s voice came from behind her. “It isn’t wise for you to be this far into the woodlands.”
Turning back to face him, she said, “I came in search of you.”
“In here?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “You might say that I was bored.”
He looked amused. “I daresay that you need a new pastime, then.”
