“Good morning,” she responded, stopping at the stall. “How is everything?”
Calen paused with the brushing. “Everythin’s gaein’ weel. The horses have missed ye the past few days.”
“I’m afraid I have been rather preoccupied,” Elinor admitted.
“Would ye care tae dae some ridin’?”
Elinor shook her head. “I am just here to visit with the horses.”
“Then I willnae bother ye,” he said as he started to resume brushing down the horse.
She continued down the aisle until she saw Skye. The horse nickered when she saw her, and Elinor laughed. “Hello, Skye,” she greeted. “Would you care for an apple?”
Reaching down, she retrieved an apple from the bucket and extended it towards Skye. The horse quickly gobbled it up, causing her to smile.
She tried to convince herself that she didn’t need Alden. She had her horses, the manor, and her aunt. She had everything she needed. But even she couldn’t fathom that lie. She wanted Alden. No, sheneededAlden. He had changed her, and for the better. She didn’t quite feel so lonely anymore now that he was in her life. And she had ruined that.
The worst part was that she didn’t regret telling him the truth. She didn’t want to start out their marriage with lies. She wanted honesty between them. However, she didn’t think he would truly leave her. Perhaps he didn’t care for her enough to stay and fight for her.
Elinor’s eyes filled with tears and she blinked them back. It would do no good if she cried. It was her fault. She just needed to move on and learn to live without Alden.
Alden’s voice came from the doorway. “Elinor,” he said gently.
She closed her eyes. What now? Was he here to yell at her some more?
“Elinor,” he repeated as he walked closer, his boots grinding on the straw lining the floor of the stables.
She turned to face him and hastily wiped at the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes. “Alden,” she responded.
Alden cast his eyes at the stall where Calen was.
Calen cleared his throat. “Pardon me, sir,” he said. “I was just aboot tae take a break, as are the other grooms.”
Neither of them spoke as the grooms departed from the stables, leaving them alone. Elinor eyed Alden curiously, wondering what he was doing here. She thought he was leaving. But she was glad that he was here… with her.
Alden remained rooted in his spot, his expression unreadable. “You lied to me.”
Elinor nodded. “I did, and I am terribly sorry.”
“You tried to steal my inheritance,” Alden said.
With a slight wince, she admitted, “Yes, I did, and I was wrong to do so. I know that now.” Was he just here to torture her?
Alden took a step towards her, his eyes not wavering from hers. “Thank you for saying so, but it changes nothing between us.”
Her heart dropped. “I understand,” she said, placing her hand on Skye’s neck to steady herself. “I thought you were leaving.”
“I was, but I had a riveting conversation with your aunt,” he informed her. “She encouraged me to stay. She told me that you loved me.”
Elinor sighed deeply. “I do, and that will never change.” There. That was the truth. She knew in her heart that she would always love him.
“Then we have a problem,” Alden said, his tone softening.
She dropped her hand from Skye, confusion etching her features. “We do?”
Alden nodded. “I say that nothing has changed between us, because it is true,” he said. “I have fallen in love with you. Desperately so.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. “You love me?” she asked.
