Niles uncrossed his arms. “Then let’s do this together. Shall we?”
Her lips curved into a small smile. “I’d like that.”
A short time later, they were galloping down the road towards the village, the sound of hooves echoing into the night. As the dim lights of the village came into view, Niles slowed his horse and cast a questioning glance at Elsbeth.
“Do you have a plan?” he asked.
Elsbeth shook her head. “I don’t.”
“That’s a fine way to get caught.”
“It’s not as though my reputation could get any worse,” she muttered.
Niles pulled his horse to a halt and turned to face her. “You are more than your reputation, Elsbeth.”
She let out a soft, bitter laugh. “Easy for you to say. You’re awealthy lord with an impeccable reputation. I’m destined to be a spinster.”
Niles leaned forward slightly, his gaze intent. “No,” he said, his voice softer now. “You’re a beautiful, intelligent young woman who has a great deal to offer the right man.”
Her eyes searched his, vulnerability shining through. “You think I’m beautiful?”
“I do,” he replied simply, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
She lowered her gaze, her voice tinged with sadness. “It has been a long time since a gentleman has told me that I am beautiful.”
“It makes it no less true.”
Elsbeth lifted her eyes to meet his. “I thought my life would be much different than this,” she confessed.
“What is so wrong with your life?”
She let out a small huff, her frustration spilling into her words. “I’m riding through the night, alone with you, chasing after my stepfather to uncover his secrets. I’m risking my future, my reputation—what little remains of it—all for what?”
Niles tightened his grip on the reins. “You can't alter the past or foresee the future, but you can ruin the present by worrying about both.”
A faint smile tugged at her lips, but it was fleeting. “I should have gotten married when I had the chance,” she said. “The Earl of Pembroke offered for me.”
“Why did you refuse him?”
Her smile turned sheepish. “You’ll think me silly, but I wanted a love match. Not a marriage of convenience to a man old enough to be my father.”
“For what it’s worth, I think you made the right choice.”
“Did I?” she countered, her tone skeptical. “If I’d married him, I wouldn’t have ended up in this godforsaken village, living under my stepfather’s roof.”
Niles glanced at her. “You need to change your perspective. You have more than most people could dream of.”
“You’re right,” she admitted, groaning softly. “I hate saying that out loud.”
“That I’m right?” he teased.
“Yes, because it means I’m wrong,” she said, her voice filled with mock indignation.
He grinned. “I’m glad to be in a position to keep you humble.”
She considered him for a moment before asking, “What about you? Do you want a love match?”
“Love matches are rare. I’m too much of a pragmatist to believe I’ll find one. But I know they’re possible since my parents were desperately in love.”
