Chapter Fourteen #2
“I’ll be in the stables, Miss,” he mumbled. “Don’t feel right ‘ere.” And he was gone before she had chance to say anything else.
“You’ve been deserted, I see.” Blaine came up behind her and touched her shoulder.
“I had to know about Flora,” she said, willing him to understand. “I’m sorry if I was abrupt or rude, but…well, without her I doubt I’d be here.”
“I know. I’d have done the same thing.” He replaced Jepson’s arm with his own and began strolling toward the far end of the large room, nodding and smiling at people, muttering thanks and making appropriate noises.
“As I mentioned, your Papa was happy to congratulate me on winning your hand.” He grinned.
“I’m not sure if it was because I’m considered a good catch, or if he’s just glad that someone else will be taking over the responsibility of keeping you in line. ”
Her chin went up. “And you think you’re up to the task?”
His gaze clashed with hers, and the expression in his eyes sent delightful shivers down her spine. Ones that this time had nothing to do with the temperature of the surrounding air.
“Oh yes, my sweet. I believe I shall be well up to the task.”
She blushed. “Yes, I rather think you will.” She leaned against him for a brief instant. “I am sorry, Blaine. I know you want to protect me and care for me, and I think that’s wonderful. I truly do.”
“But?”
“But I don’t want to have to stop being me.” She struggled for the right words. “I’m no shrinking violet or delicate miss. I want to experience everything life has to offer. Does that make sense?”
“Of course it does, Gerry. Of course.” He pulled her out of the way of a twirling couple dancing to the cheerful music provided by two farmers on their fiddles, and the blacksmith keeping the rhythm with a large spoon on his knee.
“I need some time with you out of the public eye. Come on.” Blaine seized her hand and dragged her to a door, down a staircase, and into one of the lower rooms.
A maid shrieked and nearly ran into him.
“Sorry, sir. Oh dear, I’m so sorry…”
“No, my fault entirely.” He smiled at her. “I wonder if I might borrow a cloak for Miss Foster? Just for a few minutes? She needs some air.”
“Of course, sir. Right over there by the door. That’s where we all put our outdoor things.” The girl bobbed a curtsey. “Don’t forget the Vicar’s going to announce the winner before long.”
“Here?” Geraldine looked at Blaine.
“Yes, here. Since just about everyone in Little Bicklesworthy has arrived, it would be a bit silly to move them all to the church. Might as well do it here and save them an extra journey.”
“And the ale is making everybody happy about it. There’ve been no complaints at all.” The maid grinned.
Geraldine chuckled. “That would be an incentive to stay, without a doubt.”
“We won’t be too long.” Blaine picked a cloak from the rack.
Wondering at his intent, Geraldine allowed him to swathe her with the dark fabric, then gasped as he swept her up in his arms and elbowed his way out of the back door into the setting sun.
“Oh,” she whispered as she saw where they were headed. “Oh, Blaine, I do love you so.”
He carried her into the stables and turned right to where a familiar long grey nose was whuffling and snorting.
“She knows I’m here,” said Geraldine as he put her down on her feet.
“I’m sure she does. And she’s as anxious to make sure you’re well, as you were about her.”
“Hello my darling.” She needed to feel the long nose and soft breath, to feel the familiar mane and see those dark eyes closing happily as she rubbed her hands over Flora’s face. “Such a clever girl, aren’t you?”
Opening the stall door, she went in and touched the broad chest gently, sweeping her fingers over the grey coat. “No bruises, then? No sore spots? Just a few scratches then...what a miracle you are.”
“She is indeed.” Blaine leaned against the door. “I don’t know of any other horse strong enough to hold that branch in place for as long as she did.”
“There isn’t one,” replied Geraldine loyally. “Not a single one. And I’m so glad she’s well, warm, and it looks as if she’s had a bit of a treat too…” She eyed an apple core. “Jepson?”
“Probably.” Blaine shrugged. “She’s everyone’s darling now, so possibly she’s been spoiled by more than a few people since her arrival.”
“Should I ride her home, d’you think?”
“No,” he laughed. “Not today, love. She needs rest as much as you do.”
He tugged her from the stall, allowed her one last kiss of the long nose, and then a prolonged goodnight rub.
“And now, my future wife, it’s time for us.”
She glanced back at her beloved mare. Flora winked at her.
“Did you see that? Blaine, I swear she winked at me.”
“Hmm. Quite possible.” He drew her back toward the entrance, and they stood for a moment, his arms around her, looking out on the winter landscape.
“I made a mistake, didn’t I?” She looked up at him. “Entering the race.”
“Best mistake you ever made, love. Think of what might have happened if you hadn’t…”
She shivered. “Yes, that’s true.”
“I made a mistake coming up with the idea in the first place, if you’re going to assign blame, but again…”
“Think what would have happened if you hadn’t…” She parroted his words with a smile.
He turned and pulled her close to him, wrapping his arms around her. “We both made some mistakes, Gerry, but here we are. Engaged to be wed. I would say, all things considered, that they were very good mistakes, wouldn’t you?”
He kissed her before she could answer and kept on kissing her until she lost track of what they were talking about.
It was some time before they decided to stroll back to Kendall Manor and rejoin the party, and on the way, she recollected the conversation.
“You know, Blaine, I have to agree. They were the very best kind of mistakes. And I’m sure we’ll make a lot more in the future. But if the outcome is as good as this, I shan’t mind at all.”
He grinned. “Neither shall I.”
From the stables, a loud neigh echoed into the dusk.
Apparently, Flora agreed.