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Sometimes to only more waiting.
But on the off chance this was that rare moment it might lead to something actionable, Henry would be ready.
“Are you ready?” David asked, poking his head in Henry’s office.
Henry smiled ruefully at his brother’s timely question. “Of course.” He stood from his desk, placing his latest letter from Mr. Harding away in the desk before David could see the contents. He tugged down his jacket and crossed the room to the door.
Together they moved out of the house and toward the stables.
“Your wife is causing quite a stir...again,” David said at length.
“Oh?” Henry asked.
“Emily has informed me that day before last, Dinah decided to sew her own dress for the ball.”
Henry’s stride slowed. “Sew her own? Whatever for?” Surely she understood that he would gladly pay for any dress she wanted, no matter the cost.
David shrugged. “Something about Dinah welcoming the challenge and feeling she can rise to the occasion.”
Henry chuckled softly. Nowthatsounded like his Dinah. “I have no doubt she shall.”
David shook his head. “Society will tear her to shreds if she doesn’t.” He paused for a minute, the stables looming nearer with every step. “I have to say, I was quite happy when I first heard you were getting married.”
Henry’s brow dropped. “Are you saying you aren’t now?”
“No, nothing like that.” Yet his tone didn’t sound convincing. “It is only that she is not at all the woman I expected. She’s very...”
Feisty? Bold? Beautiful?
“Headstrong,” David finally settled on.
Henry nodded; she was that too.
They arrived at the stables, and Lewis came walking out leading a small, tan-colored mare.
“Here she is, my lord.”
Henry ran his hand down the mare’s neck, then moved around the horse completely. She looked healthy. Young, too. Dinah would have many fine years riding this horse.
“Excellent job, Lewis. She is everything you said she would be.”
“Thank you, my lord.”
David watched on. “How ever did you manage to purchase a mare at this time of year?”
Henry stroked the horse’s neck once more. “Where there’s a will, David, there’s a way.” She seemed a gentle mare, too. Part of him was glad, as he didn’t relish the idea of Dinah on a spirited steed. Even though part of him knew that deep in her heart, Dinah wouldprefera spirited steed.
“What’s her name?” Henry asked Lewis.
“Cecilia, if it pleases you.”
“Cecilia,” Henry repeated. The mare turned his way, then tossed her head and went back to investigating the grass. Yes, she seemed a fine mare for Dinah.
“Please send word to Dinah that I should like her to meet me out here,” he instructed Lewis.
Instead of hurrying off, as Henry expected the stable hand to do, Lewis hesitated.
“I mean no disrespect, my lord, only...there is a matter of urgent business I need to speak to you about.” His gaze jumped to David and back again. “In private.”
