it. Better to end the ride in mutual irritation than risk injury to this fine beast.
He couldn’t stand the thought of Sheba following in Miss Barrows’ footsteps.
Handing the reins to the groom, Finch gave the horse one final rub along her neck, with a silent promise to do her proud once the ice was clear enough for a safe gallop. He watched the lad lead her away and wished he could follow.
During his time with the light dragoons, finances hadn’t allowed him to turn the care of his horse over to others, and what had started as an unwanted necessity had grown into a delight. Whether it was brushing and feeding Ares or oiling and mending the tack, those many little tasks filled his days with something to do. Finch had adored the peace to be found in his horse’s stall. But nowadays, he had few opportunities to ride and even fewer to care for a mount.
Turning away from the stables, Finch wandered to the house and amused himself by imagining what his father would have said if he’d seen his son mucking out the stall and giving Ares a scrub. That thought kept him smiling as he entered the front door.
“Is Mr. Kingsley at home?” he asked, as a footman took his jacket, hat, and gloves.
“In his study, sir.”
Perhaps he ought to change out of his riding clothes, but Finch was all too pleased with the thought of catching his friend alone to allow a little thing like appropriate attire to rob him of the opportunity. With quick steps, Finch wove through the corridors, moving through those familiar passages until he arrived at Simon’s study.
As he pushed the door open, his eyes fell to the sofa beside the fire; that piece of furniture was a new addition to the room, but it was clear why Simon had chosen to replace the matching armchairs. Mina and Simon were wrapped together, and Finch halted in his tracks, jerking backward as Mina flew upright with blazing cheeks, disentangling herself from Simon’s hold.
Finch’s jaw slackened, his hand affixed to the door handle. “I didn’t mean to bother you.”
“It is not a bother,” said Simon, straightening his cravat. “I’d been wondering where you’d gotten yourself to.”
But Finch’s brows rose as he gave his friend a wicked smile. “I very much doubt that was on your mind, Simon.”
Mina covered her eyes with one hand, though Simon took the other with a chuckle, placing a kiss on the back of it.
“Do not fret, my love. Finch merely derives much pleasure from teasing me.”
“As every true friend ought,” replied Finch, but his warm words were not met with a smile or a witty rejoinder. Instead, Mina watched him with wary eyes, and Finch felt the itch at the back of his neck that had become a constant companion whenever she was present.
“Had you a good ride?” asked Simon, leaning towards his wife. They were not so brazen as to cuddle together, but he kept her hand in his.
“Not particularly,” Finch replied, as he turned the armchair facing Simon’s desk towards the pair and took a seat.
Simon’s brows rose. “You were gone for such a long time, I thought you must be enjoying yourself.”
Finch huffed, shaking his head. “That was due to my impromptu rescue of a damsel in distress.”
Cocking his head to the side, Simon gave a hint of a smile. “You rescued a fair damsel?”
“I wouldn’t say fair, but I came across a lady who took a nasty tumble and needed a strong arm to assist her home,” said Finch. “Lady Lovell has taken in some poor relation as her companion.”
At that, Mina’s gaze turned to Finch. “Not a companion, Mr. Finch. Her great-niece will be spending a few weeks with her. Lady Lovell spoke at great length about it the other day.”
Finch waved an airy hand. “You must be mistaken, for I heard it from the lady herself that she is to be a companion.”
He’d thought his comment innocuous enough, but for some reason, the lady’s gaze dropped away from his once more as though dismissing him in the only manner available at present. Mina stared down at her hands as she smoothed her skirts, and Simon merely nodded at Finch.
“That is good news. Mina has grown quite close to Lady Lovell and visits her almost daily, but she is too often alone.”
“Too true,” said Finch with a nod. “Though I will be surprised if Miss Felicity Barrows lasts long in the position. She doesn’t