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December 22
Simon sighed and stretched his back as he finished a letter to one of his contacts in London. The study was toasty with the fire burning, but he longed to be outside where a light snow was falling. He glanced out the window and wished for the hundredth time that he did not have work to bother him. However, with Christmas just a few days away, he wanted to be sure he was caught up on all the estate business so he could enjoy a few days of leisure.
Worry pricked his heart, thinking of the many social gatherings on the horizon. He had seen Viscount Tilbury hanging around Ellen again and wondered if she realised the young man was smitten with her. He was not worried, for he felt confident in Ellen’s affections, for the most part. However, he would keep an eye on the viscount and ensure he did not cross the bounds.
He picked up a fresh piece of paper and was about to start his next missive when a light knock sounded at the door. “Come in!” he called, expecting his father to appear.
Ellen’s face appeared, offering a careful smile. “May I come in?” she asked.
Simon stood, motioning for her to come in. “Of course. Please, do. You are welcome anytime,” he said, glad of the distraction. “I was only getting some work done before the Christmas festivities begin in earnest.”
“Ahh, well, I did not mean to interrupt you.” She started to leave, but he placed a hand on her arm. He slid his hand down and took her hand, lifting it to his lips. He kissed the back of her hand and smiled at her.
“No, do not go. You are a very welcome distraction.” A smile blossomed on her face, and his heart stopped for a moment. She was so beautiful. “Would you like to join me? I can order some tea, if you like?”
She licked her lips nervously, and he let go of her hand, wondering what she had come to request of him. He hoped she felt comfortable enough to ask him whatever was on her mind. “Come and sit down. Is there something on your mind?”
She followed him over to the desk but did not sit down. He sat on the edge of the desk and waited.
“It is nothing. I did not realise you were working. I only wanted to come and ask if you might like to go horseback riding later this afternoon, if it is convenient? I have not been around the estate in many years and thought it would be wonderful to see it in winter.” She shrugged her shoulders. “However, I know that what you are doing is very important. Perhaps another day—”
“No,” he captured her hand before she could leave. “I would like that very much. I only have one letter to finish up, and then I would be very happy to show you around the grounds.”
Her face lit up, and she stepped closer to him. He stood up, wrapped his arms around her middle, and pulled her closer. “Besides, I would much rather spend time with you than in this dank study,” he said.
She laughed at this. “It seems very cosy to me. Perhaps it is the work that makes it seem so,” she replied.
He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “I shall be done in about half an hour, and then we can go,” he said.
“Perfect. I shall go and change into my riding habit.” She pushed gently away from his chest, and he let her go, feeling bereft as she walked away. When she had disappeared behind the door, he hurried around the desk and wrote the last letter in record time. He then headed up to his room to change. He was about to knock on Ellen’s door when it suddenly opened. She laughed and joined him in the hall.
“Well, I did not expect you to finish so quickly. Shall we go?” she asked, pushing her riding gloves down between her fingers to ensure they were snug. “I ordered the horses before I came up to change, so they should be ready by now.”
“Yes, I am sure,” he said. He offered her his arm, and she linked it through his. They headed down the stairs and out through the foyer. The horses were brought to the front door as they stepped out into the brisk cold air. He walked over to her horse and helped her into the saddle. His hand lingered on her calf as he helped her find the stirrup. She beamed down at him.
“Is that all right?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said, shifting slightly in the saddle. “Let us go.”
Simon handed the reins up to her, and he went around to his mount and climbed into the saddle. Soon they were trotting around the side of the house and out into the open fields surrounding the estate. When they got out in the open, he looked over at Ellen. “Are you comfortable with going a little faster?” he asked.
“I think so,” she said. He could see that she was not all that comfortable riding but was warmed by the fact that she had invited him to do something he enjoyed.
“Do not worry. I will not let you fall. Stay close to me,” he instructed. He dug his heels into the horse’s sides, prompting him forward. He lit out at a gallop, and soon Ellen was by his side, keeping pace with him. At first, she seemed apprehensive, but she soon settled in, and before long, her face shone with a brilliant smile.
She raced ahead of him, her blonde curls whipping in the wind. She looked over her shoulder and gave him an impish smile, spurring him forward. Simon rose to the challenge, catching up with her with ease. However, he stayed neck and neck with her until they came to the wood.
They both slowed, and he motioned for her to follow him to a narrow trail that wound through the woods. “Come. I want to show you something,” he said.
They headed into the wood, and he watched as Ellen looked around at the trees in wonder. “It is beautiful,” she breathed. Simon nodded, following her gaze as she looked up at the tall pines and bare oaks and maples now covered in a dusting of snow.
“Yes, it is,” he said, looking back at her.
After a few hundred yards of travelling the winding path, they came out into a clearing and a small pond. Simon dismounted and went over to help Ellen down. He placed his hands on her small waist, and she put her hands on his shoulders. She jumped down from her horse, and they lingered in each other’s arms for a moment.
“Ahh, this is one of my favourite haunts,” he said, motioning to the pond. Ellen moved away from him, walking toward the edge of the frozen body of water. He joined her, exhaling contentedly. “Did I ever bring you here?”
“No, never,” she said. “I doubt I would have appreciated it back then,” she said. She began walking around the pond’s edge, but Simon grabbed her hand. She turned, giving him a confused look.
