Winning the Gentleman (Hearts on the Heath #2) - Kristi Ann Hunter Page 0,127
simply liked the idea of demonstrating her new riding skills didn’t matter. Including horse-related entertainment in the Christmas Eve gathering would provide the chance Sophia needed.
Harriet presented first, surprising the guests with her ability to take Rhiannon through a series of basic steps. All too soon she was handing the reins to Sophia. “Now you can show us how it’s really done.”
Sophia mounted, feeling more than a little self-conscious. She was in the evening dress her friends had given her months ago, only this time she had the matching trousers on underneath and her feet were bare.
She took a deep breath and guided the horse forward. What if Aaron didn’t understand what she was trying to say?
She wouldn’t know if she didn’t try. It was the safest declaration a girl could make. If Aaron thought of her the same way she thought of him, he would see this as her saying she was willing to embrace all the past had made them and forge a new future.
Hopefully.
Sophia didn’t concern herself with a routine as she sent Rhiannon prancing about the small section of lawn. Only one trick was going to matter tonight. After a few pirouettes, a couple piaffes, and an extended trot, she steered Rhiannon in a large circle and nudged her into a run.
One more deep breath.
Then she pulled her leg beneath her.
SHE WAS STANDING.
On a horse.
While everyone around him cheered and clapped, Aaron sat frozen. She’d been too adamant about never doing any of her circus tricks again for this exhibition not to mean something.
He just wished he knew what it was.
He held his breath until she lowered herself down onto the horse’s back, then looked around for Fitzroy. Her brother had been invited to all forty-three dinner parties. He always came but stayed on the edge of the group. Aaron finally found him leaning against the side of the house.
Staring right back at Aaron.
“She’s wonderful,” Miss Hancock said as the cheering subsided.
“Yes.”
“We’re leaving the day after Christmas. Could you send someone to check in on the horses while we’re gone?”
Air rushed out of Aaron’s lungs. She’d been making a declaration, but it hadn’t been about him. He was thankful she’d accepted that part of herself, but it made him sad that the realization hadn’t brought her to him.
Instead she was leaving town. She was going off on an adventure. Without him.
“That won’t be a problem.” Aaron would keep an eye on the horses himself. That way he’d know the minute they returned.
Then he was coming after her. No more waiting.
“Speaking of horses,” he said, “I’m going to go help with Rhiannon.”
He rose and rounded the mingling group to wait for Sophia at the mounting block next to the stable.
Sophia’s smile was enormous, and her eyes were bright as she rode up to him. “I’d forgotten how fun that is.”
“I’m glad you remembered.” He glanced at her toes but didn’t allow his gaze to linger. “Where are your shoes?”
“In the stable.”
He nodded and took Rhiannon’s reins to lead her into the warmth of the stable. Did he imagine that Sophia hesitated to pull away after he helped her down?
While she retrieved her footwear, he took Rhiannon to a stall, handed the saddle and bridle to a groom, and checked food and water levels. Sophia stepped into the stall to check for herself and give her horse a pat on the neck.
And once again it was her, him, and the horse in a confined space. The urge to pull her into his arms was strong.
Instead, he grabbed two currycombs and thrust one in her direction.
She took it and turned it over in her hands as if she’d never seen one before. Then she gave him a tight smile. “I think I’ll let Harriet’s grooms take care of Rhiannon tonight. I wouldn’t want them to wait dinner on us.”
What had dimmed her light so quickly? Was it something he’d done? Hadn’t done?
He followed her to the house, praying God would hold whatever they had until she came back to him.
And if God felt like granting Aaron a little understanding of the female mind in the meantime, that would be welcome too.
Thirty-Nine
She’d been gone for two days and already Newmarket felt colder. Granted, it was almost January and there was a good chance they’d see snow soon, but Aaron had lived through enough winters to know the difference.
Sophia was the sunshine in his days, and now he had to make it without her. Possibly for a very long time.