Chapter 23 #2
“Camelia, let me finish,” he said sternly, and she pursed her lips.
He returned his attention to Pamela. “Yes, many ladies do learn horse riding, Pamela. But I need you to understand that it requires specific training and a lot of patience. You have to be ready for the danger of it just as much as you’re ready for the fun of it. ”
“I believe I am ready, Father,” Pamela responded confidently.
Raph felt a sudden burst of pride. “Then that settles it. I shall find an instructor. A good one. Is that what you want?”
Pamela’s eyes widened, while Camelia gaped behind her.
Did they really believe me to be so harsh?
Suddenly, a rare smile broke across Pamela’s face. “Yes, Father. Thank you. I… I watch the horses in the stables sometimes. They’re so free. I truly cannot wait to learn horse riding!”
Raph was taken aback by her passion; he had never seen her so bright-eyed before. He hated to admit it, but Camelia was right.
“Horses are free, you say? Horse riding gives the same feeling of freedom. You’ll see for yourself. But I need you two to promise me that you won’t change the rest of your schedules.”
Camelia’s lips curved, her voice coaxing after being silenced by him earlier.
“Oh no…” he muttered under his breath.
“Since horse riding will be added, I was thinking we could remove a lesson?” Camelia cocked her head.
“And what lesson would that be?” Raph asked with a raised eyebrow.
“What about embroidery? Pamela and I do not enjoy it. Our stitches are a struggle, and it’s draining us.”
“Embroidery lessons drag on longer than horse riding would. What would you choose to fill that extra time?”
“I was thinking perhaps we could replace it with something else that Pamela enjoys. She’s truly talented! Tell him, Pamela.”
“There are more hidden talents?”
Her mother would have been proud.
Pamela glanced at Camelia nervously. “I do dislike embroidery, Father.”
“Be honest with me, Pamela,” Raph said dryly.
“All right… It’s awful! I’d rather sketch, or… spend time with the horses.”
Raph’s fingers drummed on the desk, his thoughts racing. “Embroidery is awful? I never knew.”
She has been miserable, and I didn’t notice.
“You hate it that much?” he asked, concerned.
Pamela shifted nervously on her feet. “Yes, Father.”
“You’ll show me your sketches?”
She was taken aback by his sudden interest. “Yes, Father, if you wish to see them. I draw the willows and the roses. It… makes me happy.”
Raph leaned forward. “Fine. No more embroidery lessons, then. We’ll add drawing to your schedule, and riding lessons. But you’ll keep up your etiquette lessons, Pamela. No slacking in that department.”
“Yes, Father.” Pamela nodded excitedly.
Camelia’s eyes sparkled as she stood beside Pamela.
Like her pillar of strength.
“See? It wasn’t that scary to change a few rules, was it, Your Grace? And Pamela’s happier already.” Camelia smiled sweetly at him.
Raph’s stomach twisted with unease. His gaze locked onto hers, and a spark of mischief flickered in her amber eyes.
That look… She’s playing me, and damn if it doesn’t make me want to drag her to my chambers and claim her.
“Don’t push your luck, Duchess,” he said flatly. “Rules keep things in order. You’d do well to remember that.”
Pamela glanced between them. “Thank you, Father and Your Grace,” she said shyly, before Camelia could retort. “For helping me.”
Camelia smiled down at her, and it took every ounce of Raph’s will not to get up and kiss her with gratitude.
“You’re welcome, Pamela. And I think it’s time you call me Camelia. We are family, aren’t we?”
“Yes… Camelia.”
They beamed at each other, and Raph’s throat tightened. His thoughts became a tangled mess of pride and unease.
“We’ll get back to our schedule then. Thank you, Your Grace.” Camelia curtsied. All mischief in her amber eyes was replaced with genuine gratitude.
Raph was grateful that Pamela blossomed under Camelia’s care.
I should thank her.
As they turned to leave, he stood up abruptly, his voice stopping them in the doorway. “Camelia, wait.” He cleared his throat. “We’ve been invited to a ball, and I believe we should attend.”
“Oh?” Camelia blushed, and he craved to taste her fiery skin again. “What should I wear?”
“It’s entirely up to you. We may go to a seamstress and get the best dress made for you.”
“Pamela, would you like to come dress shopping with us? We could find something dazzling for you, too. For your birthday.”
Pamela’s hazel eyes lit up. “Dress shopping? Yes, I’d love that!” She clasped her hands as a shy smile broke through. “Can I try something with lace? I’ve always wanted to.”
Raph watched with an odd warmth in his heart as they both planned ahead.
“Absolutely. We’ll find the perfect gown, something to make the ton gasp. And I’ll send word to my sisters. They’re dreadful at choosing gowns, but they make the experience more tolerable, and they’ll adore you!”
Raph cleared his throat. “You ladies will be escorted, without a doubt.” His tone left no room for argument.
“Of course, Your Grace,” Camelia agreed, yet glared at him.
“Your sisters cannot be trusted.”
“I’d like to meet your sisters, Camelia.” Pamela’s voice drew their attention back to her. “I just hope that they will like me.”
“Oh, Pamela, never doubt yourself like that. You are an amazing young lady, and anyone would be lucky to call you their friend. Trust me, my sisters will be fighting over who gets to style you! We’ll make a day of it.”
Pamela grinned. “When do we go? I can’t wait!” Her excitement was infectious.
“I will arrange a carriage first thing tomorrow morning. And Pamela,” Raph addressed her. “Would you like to go see the horses in the stables now? You can choose your favorite today.”
Her face lit up even further. “Yes, Father, I’d love to!”
Camelia’s eyes widened in disbelief. “That’s a wonderful idea, Your Grace. Pamela, now you can tell him about the chestnut stallion you mentioned. He sounds quite spirited!”
“Spirited like you?”
Camelia rolled her eyes. “Don’t be fooled. No one is as spirited as I!”
“Don’t get too smug now. This doesn’t mean I’m softening towards your ways,” Raph warned as he pulled on his coat.
He was far from softening where she was concerned. Whenever she was around, his body would ache wildly for her.
Camelia’s lips twitched as if she knew what she was doing to him. “I wouldn’t dream of it, Your Grace. I’ll leave you two to it then.”
She turned to leave, but stopped in her tracks when Raph spoke, “You will accompany us, Camelia. And do keep up.” He turned to Pamela. “Do you know the way to the stables?”
“Yes!” Pamela gushed.
“Then you may lead the way.”
Pamela nodded, her smile bright as she began to lead them. When they moved towards the gardens, Camelia spoke softly to her, probably believing that Raph couldn’t hear her.
“See, Pamela? He’s reasonable when you ask the right way. We’ll have you riding in no time.”
Raph held back a chuckle.
As they entered the stables, Camelia went to sashay past him, but he grabbed her arm mid-step and whispered in her ear, “Little flower, you’re treading close to another lesson.”
Camelia blushed, but she held his gaze steadily. “I’ll take my chances, Your Grace,” she quipped.
He bit the inside of his cheek as she smiled sweetly at him.
“You should consider teaching Pamela yourself, it might be good for the two of you.” Her arm felt hot under his palm.
“Pray, do tell how horse riding would be good for us?” His tone dripped with sarcasm.
“Well, for one, you’d get to spend time with your daughter,” she replied coolly. Her words felt like tightly coiled slap.
Camelia shook his hand off of her and left him with his troubled thoughts.
“Are you coming, Father?” Pamela called from the stable.
Raph felt a strange tug in his heart. “Yes, Pamela. Let us choose your horse.”