Chapter 12 #2
'Do I have your permission to try something? I've not attempted this myself but read an interesting and detailed article about it in a farming magazine.'
'Are you going to tell me what this article said or leave me in suspense?'
'I couldn't possibly talk about such things with you, James, but if you agree then you can assist me.'
'You now have my full attention, Sofia, but please find something less conspicuous before we attempt whatever it is you're refusing to speak to me about but intend to do. I shudder to think what it might be, but I'm sufficiently intrigued to go along with it.'
'Don't put the mare in the field, just turn Lucifer and Rufus out. I need to see the mare before we proceed.'
As they approached the stables the heavens opened and whatever Sofia was planning had to be postponed.
*
It was several days before the rain ceased and the plan could be put into operation.
James had been occupied with estate business and piles of legal documents.
Making Annabel his ward, so she'd been told, was proving more difficult as he had to have Sinclair's permission.
He'd been deliberately avoiding Sofia and she was rather hurt by this.
He'd come to listen when she'd been downstairs as he'd heard her playing the piano. He'd even played for her a couple of times. His dogs always came to see her whenever she was around. It seemed to please him that they had taken to her.
They had yet to all dine together but she hoped his sister and her children would feel well enough to do so soon.
She and the other two ate in their sitting room and he in his study.
He'd informed her that he'd received a letter by express from Michael saying her aunt and Lucille would arrive as soon as the roads were passable.
The thoroughfares around Laycock were mud and potholes at the best of times and made worse by the heavy rain.
Finally, four days later the sky was blue and she sent word to James she was ready to try her experiment. Sofia appeared dressed in a plain gown that she'd borrowed from Mary. This was her maid's Sunday best and she'd had to promise to replace it with something finer in order to wear it.
It showed an indecent amount of ankle but she hoped her boots hid most of that. There was little point in putting on a bonnet as she was already so far beyond the pale the lack of headgear would hardly matter.
What she had in mind was to lead the mare into the field and take her up to Lucifer. If he never went near the mares that had been put in with him then, being a novice in that department, he might not have reacted to their scent in the way that stallions ought to do.
Obviously, she could have explained this simply to James but if she had, then no doubt he'd have forbidden her to do it. There was a slight risk she might be kicked, that Lucifer might be kicked, but she thought it a small one. He was to take her to the mare that was in season.
James raised an eyebrow in that irritating way he had but refrained from comment at her less than stylish ensemble.
'This is Silver Star. What do you think?'
'I think that she's perfect. The ideal size for a novice stallion.'
She took the lead rein attached to the horse's halter and led her out of the yard. She wasn't exactly sure where the paddock might be but she'd seen from an upstairs window horses grazing behind the stables so it must be in that direction.
'I'm beginning to suspect that what you intend to do is something I'll disapprove of,' he said.
'You're right. For this to work, and it only will for an inexperienced stallion, the mare must be led to the stallion by someone he trusts and loves. I think I'm the only person who fits that description.'
She expected him to swear at her; tell her he forbade her to do it but instead he nodded. 'Did the article say if anyone else can accompany the person leading the mare?'
'No, but I can't see that you being there would matter either way.'
This frank response made his lips thin but it was too late to worry about that. There were no grooms or stable boys around and she guessed that he'd told them to make themselves scarce.
'Here we are, Sofia, Lucifer and Rufus have seen us coming. I'll open the gate so you can take Star in. I'll be right behind you if you need me.'
Star whinnied and her ears came forward. She was tugging and the lead rein was taught. Sofia led her away from the fence and then called the stallion over.
Lucifer was curious but not aroused. Only then did she fully comprehend how incredibly unsuitable this situation was.
She'd seen a bull cover a cow, a cockerel tread a hen, but not seen horses do the same.
However, she was aware of exactly what was about to happen.
Young ladies should not be around to see such a thing and especially not with a gentleman in tow.
Lucifer stopped. Tossed his head and sniffed the air. Then he half-reared and whinnied loudly.
James reached over her head, removed the leather leading rein and released it. Then he grabbed her, tossed her over his shoulder and ran for the fence. He all but threw her over and then vaulted it and landed beside her.
He stood firmly in front of her. 'I don't think this is suitable for you to watch. I should never have agreed to this.'
For once she didn't argue and when he put his arm around her waist she leaned against him, his strength and warmth was somehow comforting, and what might have happened if he hadn't been there made her quite weak.
'Will you be able to continue unaided? As I don't think we should arrive in view of the house as we are,' James said but didn't remove his arm.
'Yes, thank you, I'm now fully recovered. I really didn't think this through, thank God you were with me, or I might no longer be with you.'
'I've no idea what nonsense you're babbling but I'll put it down to shock. I certainly don't think there'll be any further problems with Lucifer. That's because of your intervention, Sofia, and I thank you for it.'
They were now walking side-by-side but with him at a distance from her that could raise no eyebrows or cause a scandal.
'Why must we adjust our behaviour in case someone happens to be looking out of window in your own home? You're the Earl of Avon; you told me in no uncertain terms that you can do as you like. That you don't give a fig for anybody's opinion but your own.'
He chuckled. 'Did I say that? How remiss of me to have given you entirely the wrong impression of how things work. Having lived an entirely isolated life I don't suppose you know that gossip spreads faster via servants than it does by their masters.'
She was still puzzled and couldn't see how this related to them. 'Balderdash, sir, is what you're speaking. You've just dismissed most of your staff and those that remain you assured me earlier wouldn't mention my hideous riding habit. You cannot have it both ways.'
For some reason he glanced at the house and then looked at her strangely, he had that disconcerting glint in his eye.
She wished she'd never started this confusing conversation.
The shock of almost being trampled a few minutes ago must have addled her wits otherwise she'd never have got into this verbal tangle.
'Now, let me get this straight. If you're saying that you're happy to parade around the place with my arm about your waist for everybody to see, then I've absolutely no objection to that.'
He closed the gap between them with one sideways step and replaced his arm but this time it was different somehow, more intimate, and definitely not something he should be doing.
'Lord Brotherton, unless you intend to make me an offer right here, right now, I suggest you remove your arm and behave yourself. I might not wish to join the marriage mart but I have no wish to lose my reputation.'
To her horror he spun her around, clasped both her hands in his and dropped to one knee in a dramatic fashion. Her heart all but stopped.
'Dearest Sofia, would you do me the honour of becoming my countess?'