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Chapter 15
Leaving the horses and Pippa’s pony in the stables, Mabel, Mac, and Pippa crossed the lawn, discussing the most important features of a good skipping rock when a carriage pulled into the drive. Pippa gasped, leaving Mabel and Mac behind as she ran toward it.
Mabel clasped her hands together to keep them near her. She couldn’t handle touching Mac again, fearing the barest brush of her knuckles against his would ignite the longing which had taken root in her chest. It was alarming how fast and deeply she found herself falling for someone who had once rejected her so harshly. But perhaps that was why it was so easy to care for Mac—her heart had once been his, so it knew the path well.
Nonetheless, it wouldn’t do to admire a man who did not hold her in the same regard. She could not put herself in a position to be so heartily rejected, for her heart could not survive another failure. He asked to become her friend, nothing more.
“Pippa is eager. I assume you know who that carriage belongs to.” Mac sounded unsure as though his statement was, in actuality, a question.
“Yes,” Mabel said, putting out the fire of unrealistic romantic thoughts in her chest and sprinkling water over the smoking remains. “We know the owner of that carriage quite well.”
“And…” he pressed, lifting his eyebrows. “Who is it? Are you planning to keep me in suspense all evening?”
A smile flickered over her lips despite her best efforts to contain it. The horses came to a stop, and a groom hopped down from the back of the carriage, letting down the step and opening the door for Giulia. “This is a dear friend of mine who has been staying with us and helping me teach Pippa for the last year. She went to see her uncle when you arrived, so I’m sure you wouldn’t have had the chance to meet her. Come, and I shall introduce you.”
Pippa ran into Giulia’s arms, nearly knocking the small woman over. But Giulia only laughed, the sound ringing out over the open drive.
“You’ve come back,” Mabel said, waiting for Pippa to step aside before pulling her friend into an embrace.
Giulia returned the hug, then leaned back and appraised Mabel, a small line forming between her eyebrows. “You look weary. What is troubling you? Your leg or your guests?” She lifted her face and stilled, seeming to notice Mac for the first time.
Mabel stepped back to introduce the pair, and they exchanged greetings.
“I will leave you to your reunion,” Mac said, dipping into a regal bow. He offered Mabel a warm smile before turning for the house. Had the man always looked so charming when he did that?
The sun lit his back as he walked away, highlighting his tall form and the back muscles straining against his coat as he moved. She struggled to tear her gaze from him. Memories of the feel of his hands on her waist, his eyes fixed on her so earnestly, were enough to drive her mad. She longed for a repetition of the short ride along the pond path, wanting to claim Mac’s full attention, his touch.
“I would dearly like to hear more about that particular guest,” Giulia said.
A blush rose up Mabel’s neck. Ignoring Giulia’s knowing look, she strung her friend’s arm through her own. She had been so quick to disregard her earlier resolve to not fall for the man. It appeared she would need to strengthen that resolution. “Come. I’ll have Carson set another place for dinner. You have plenty of time to rest and change.”
“Unless customs have changed in the last few weeks, I only have a half-hour.”
Mabel tugged on Giulia’s arm, watching Pippa’s hair sway as she ran ahead of them. “That is plenty of time to change and rest, is it not?”
“Enough of this misdirection, Mabel. What is troubling you, and how might I help?”
They climbed the steps to the front door, and Mabel helped Giulia into the foyer as Pippa mounted the stairs toward the schoolroom and disappeared out of sight. “It’s nothing. I overused my leg today and it wants rest, which I will presently grant it. Let’s get you settled again, first. Were you able to see your Mr. Pepper before leaving?”
“Yes, only just before leaving Halstead Manor. The poor man returned from visiting his sister a quarter-hour before I left. I was tempted to remain there for dinner, but I was eager to see Miss Pippa. And you, of course.” She added the last part with a saucy smile.
“You ought not to call her that, you know. She requested Charles’s guests refer to her as Miss Pippa, and they have so far indulged her. I fear it is getting to her head. The little sprite is becoming more grown-up every day.”
Giulia laughed. “It does not surprise me.” She sighed, hesitating, her dark brown eyes softening. “I shall miss seeing you both daily. Indeed, I missed it immensely these last few weeks.”
“We will still be neighbors, and we will always have our weekly visits with Hattie and Amelia.”
Giulia lifted a dark eyebrow as they reached the landing and turned down the corridor. “Meetings you have been absent from the last two weeks.”
“I could not get away. Managing Charles’s guests and my father’s return has been more intensive than I anticipated.”
“Well, I am here now, and I will endeavor to lighten your load.”
“Must I remind you that you are here for less than a fortnight? You must enjoy this time, not work through it.”
“What I must do,” Giulia said, stepping into the bedchamber she was to use for the next two weeks, “is keep my mind busy. Otherwise, I might expire from sheer anticipation.” Her brown eyes glowed, the light of joy and love evident within them.
“Your wedding will arrive before you know it. But in the meantime, I can think of plenty to occupy your mind.”
