AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Friedrich followed, wondering if she meant anything more by it.You are a hopeless fool, he told himself sternly.
Bella’s mount suddenly stumbled. She kept her seat admirably, leading the horse to a safe place beside the trail. By the time Friedrich reached her, she had jumped down and was examining her roan mare’s hoof. She rose and patted the horse’s neck. “Bother, Beauty has cast a shoe.”
Friedrich dismounted. “I’ll tie her reins to a branch and take you up with me. We must tell Nicholas.”
After he remounted, Bella placed her foot in the empty stirrup. He reached down and hoisted her up behind him. “Put your arms around me.” Her slender arms came around him. Enjoying her closeness, he nudged the horse’s flanks, and they walked on.
Before they’d gone far, Nicholas appeared, having ridden back to see what delayed them. “Unfortunate. Ride to the stables, will you, Friedrich? Bella, send Henning out for the mare,” he said. “If you wish to continue your ride, we shall be near the river. We might ride over the eastern paddock. I’d like Karl to meet Crumpton, one of my tenant farmers who runs a neat farm. If it’s of no interest to you, Friedrich, you might prefer to partake of breakfast. We can ride again after luncheon if you wish.”
“I can show the baron Pennington lake.” Bella turned to him. “It’s only a short walk from the house.”
“I’d like that,” Friedrich said. To have her to himself was most appealing.
