Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
* * *
He grinned. “Right away my lady. She been feeling neglected since you went off to the city.”
* * *
“Aww,” she went up to the spotted roan and rubbed her nose. “I’m sorry I’ve been away so long. Don’t worry, I shall take you on a nice long ride.”
* * *
She stepped back, letting Mark fix the saddle for her and lead the horse out of the stable before climbing on, waving to him, and taking off at a galloping trot before settling into a canter. The wind whipped at her exposed face and she reveled in the freedom of it, turning the horse down the path away from the lane and into the fields that surrounded the lake. It was early enough that there was virtually no one about and she took advantage to really stretch Pegasus’ legs.
* * *
The horse seemed just as happy as she was to be flying about unfettered. She felt the weight of the last few days slew off her shoulders as she finally left the incident behind. She laughed out loud, enjoying herself immensely.
* * *
Finally, when sweat was pouring down the horse’s flanks, she slowed them back to a trot and turned them for home. The traffic on the lane had increased quite a bit in the meantime, with tinkers hawking their wares and milkmaids making their way to market as well as the occasional nobleman or woman, taking the morning air.
* * *
The latter largely ignored her, turning their faces away as if they did not see her.
* * *
I suppose news travels fast.
* * *
Deigning to ignore them all, she spurred her horse on to go faster.
* * *
“Lady Janice Raven, as I live and breathe.” Lord Hemsworth was blocking her path with his own horse and grinning hard. He leaned forward confidentially. “Word has it you’re in search of a husband and you’ll do just about anything to get one. May I suggest a tryst in my dower house this afternoon? It is sitting in relative disuse at the moment. I wouldn’t marry second-hand goods, but you may stay there as my mistress if you so desire.”
* * *
She wanted to punch his nose but swallowed her spleen. “You are blocking my way, sir,” she said stiffly, “Would you kindly move out of the way?”
* * *
“No, I will not. Not until you answer my question, my fair lady. You prance about in men’s breeches, so it’s clear you wish to be noticed.”
* * *
Janice took a deep, steadying breath even as she wondered what would happen if she were to take her whip to his face. “I have no desire to be noticed by the likes of you. You’ll have to forgive me for wanting to be comfortable,” she bit out.
* * *
“Oho, is that so? Only rakish dukes will do? A mere baron is too lowly for your affections? And yet he does not make an offer for you. Were you that awful?”
* * *
“Lord Hemsworth!” she snapped, “you go too far!”
* * *
He threw back his head and laughed. She spurred her horse forward, right into his and he stopped mid-laugh, startled, as his horse shied, almost unseating him. With a flick of her rein, she steered her horse around them and took off at a fast trot. She looked back once, afraid he might be following but he was not.
* * *
She did not stop until she was back home and had handed Pegasus over to Mark. Her heart was still beating erratically and she paused just outside the stables, taking deep breaths and trying to get back to normal. She had no intention of upsetting her family further by coming in from her ride looking flustered.
* * *
It wasn’t the first time Lord Hemsworth had said inappropriate things to her but he had never been so blatant about it before. It was disconcerting.
* * *
What should I do?
* * *
She had no idea how to proceed. All of this was unprecedented. Slowly she walked towards the house, her mind racing, trying to find a solution.
* * *
“Janice.”
* * *
She looked up to see Emily coming towards her from the direction of the gardens. Her sister smiled. “I see you’ve been up and about.”
* * *
Janice tried her best to smile back. “Yes, I have.” Her eyes fell on the flowers in Emily’s hands. “What are those for?”
* * *
Emily shrugged. “I thought I would brighten the breakfast table. The house has been gloomy these past few days.”
* * *
Janice’s face fell. “Indeed. And that is my fault.”
* * *
“No no.” Emily looped her arm around Janice’s, “It was not. I think everyone was just so worried about saying the wrong thing and wanting to sympathize that we all descended into a black mood. But it’s clear you’re quite alright and so everyone else will be as well.”