Tabitha sank down onto her bed and took deep breaths as she tried to calm her nerves. She’d barely been able to pull the gloves from her trembling fingers and unbutton her pelisse once she’d returned to her chamber.
At least she’d conquered a small part of her fear and allowed herself to be close to a few horses. They seemed sweet enough, but so had Guinevere.
Tomorrow or this afternoon, if she were up to it, Kemp told Tabitha to return with carrots and apples to let the horses eat out of her hand.
Those were the treats she’d given Guinevere all those years ago, and tears spiked Tabitha’s eyes once again at the memory. Oh, how she loved Guinevere.
Her fears were irrational, of that she well knew, but that didn’t make them any less real. Perhaps she’d been able to do so today because Kemp was by her side, whom she’d known since childhood. Or maybe it was simply because Lord Straffan would never consider courting a lady who was afraid of horses. However, the reasons for the small miracle didn’t really matter because she’d taken the first step in conquering her weakness, and she’d continue to face it each and every day until she finally accomplished her goal to ride once again.
Her only regret was that she hadn’t been better prepared to see Lord Straffan when he’d been the main purpose for her leaving the castle so early. But it had taken every part of her being to go near the horses, and her nerves were nearly spent by the time he did make an appearance. Kemp relaying her previous nightmare had not helped matters.
Drat! Twice now she’d had the opportunity to speak with Straffan and neither occasion ended with her making a good impression. Somehow she must endeavor to do better, as encounters with him would continue to be limited and she was not about to let her fear ruin further opportunities as well.
Andrew well understood Lady Tabitha’s fear, but until she sat a horse again, she’d never conquer it.
As he entered the front of the castle, Andrew was greeted with the very sight of Lady Tabitha coming down the stairs. The color had returned to her cheeks and Andrew took a step forward with every intention of escorting her into breakfast only to be brought up short when the Dowager Countess of Kinley narrowed her eyes on him in warning.
Clearly, the woman didn’t like him and she didn’t even know him. But, like so many in Society, he’d been judged on account of the fact that he was Irish, as if that made him a lesser man somehow.
Andrew waited a moment and then followed the dowager and her daughters into the breakfast room. Already guests and relatives of Danby were breaking their fast but there were still plenty of seats at the table. Hopefully, he could find one near Lady Tabitha so that they might discuss her fear and how to go about overcoming it.
The meal was set out on a sideboard from which guests filled their plates before taking a seat and being served tea or coffee by a servant. Lady Tabitha was the last in line of her family and stood, pondering the offerings before her. Andrew waited until her mother had moved on and then took the place beside Lady Tabitha.
“Are you recovered?” he asked quietly.
Her face deepened to a lovely shade of rose. “Yes,” she answered in a hushed tone. “But I would appreciate you not letting anyone know that we saw one another this morning.”
Pain ripped through his gut. He should have anticipated her rejection, but he hadn’t and the weight of disappointment was sudden and unexpected.
Lady Tabitha quickly glanced over her shoulder then leaned a little closer to Andrew as she scooped up some eggs. “Mother would not approve, and I’d prefer she not watch me too closely.”
Ah, it was her mother and not him. “I promise not to say a word.”
A small smile pulled at her lips. “Thank you.”
“By chance will you be visiting the stables again today? Kemp mentioned that you might return.”
“I thought to attempt it once again after luncheon.”
“I will join you,” he whispered.
A blush stained her cheeks, but a smile pulled at her lips. “I will look forward to your company, Lord Straffan.”
He stepped away before her mother noted their quiet conversation and his mood lightened knowing that he’d be spending the afternoon with Lady Tabitha.
As she moved on, Andrew took his time filling his plate. When he turned to find a seat, he noted that Lady Tabitha was seated between her mother and someone he assumed to be a sister by the girl’s resemblance. The dowager glared at him, but Andrew simply nodded, offered a pleasant smile, and found an empty seat further away from the family.