Tabitha glanced down the corridor to make certain no one was about then hurried toward the back stairs that would eventually lead her to the kitchens.
“Where do you think you’re going?” her mother demanded from behind.
Tabitha stopped mid-step and took a deep breath. “I need to be outside for a bit.” While she did wish for fresh air, Tabitha didn’t dare tell Mother her true destination.
“It’s freezing, and I don’t want you mingling with others,” the woman hissed quietly as she looked around. Others being unrelated bachelors invited to the castle by Danby.
Tabitha fought to roll her eyes. “I can’t spend all of my time inside.”
Her mother gasped. “You behave as if I’m holding you prisoner.”
It felt like she was being held prisoner and no different than last spring when her mother had panicked at seeing Danby in London, cancelled all invitations and kept Tabitha and her sisters inside their townhome. The sequestering lasted nearly a sennight before Danby made an appearance and ordered them to attend functions. Thank goodness he had or Tabitha and her sisters might have spent the whole of the Season inside the parlor. The only exception being her secret walks in Hyde Park during the morning hours, which thankfully her mother never learned about.
“I promise not to encourage unwanted attention,” Tabitha assured her mother. An easy promise to make since Straffan’s attention was very much wanted.
“Why can’t you return to the sitting room with your sisters? Open a window if it’s fresh air that you want.”
“And be forced to listen to Deborah and Sarah complain because they’re cold?”
“They can bundle up.”
This was beyond ridiculous. “I’m simply taking a short walk, and I promise not to become betrothed before I return.” With that, Tabitha continued toward the stairs.
“I only want what is best for you, Tabitha. You have no idea how miserable your life could be if you make the wrong match.”
“What’s the matter? Is Tabitha running away?”
She glanced back over her shoulder to find Peter standing behind their mother, his eyes lit with amusement.
“I simply wish to be out,” Tabitha ground out.
“Go with her, Peter, and make certain she stays out of trouble.”
Goodness, her mother made it sound as if she were a child in need of watching, and Tabitha was growing quite tired of being mothered. Most ladies were married by Tabitha’s age but her mother behaved as if she was still in leading strings.
“Gladly,” Peter agreed. “If my wayward sister would but give me a moment to retrieve my coat and gloves I’ll happily accompany her anywhere she wishes to go.”
Blast! Hadn’t Peter warned her away from Straffan? What would he think if she were meeting him?
With any luck, hopefully, her brother would assume it was a coincidence when they encountered Straffan. After all, it wasn’t unusual for a gentleman to check on his horse or take him out for a ride, or so she assumed.
Peter was back quickly to join her and followed her down the narrow, darker stairs.
“Why are we going this way?”
She couldn’t very well tell him her destination within her mother’s hearing. “I’m less likely to run in to others.”
Once they reached another level and far enough away from their mother overhearing, Peter stopped. “What are you really about, Tabitha?”
Tabitha knew her brother would determine her destination the moment she stopped within the kitchens and quickly confessed her wish to visit the stables and to confront her fear.
He pulled back in surprise.
“I must take apples and carrots.”
Then Peter’s eyes narrowed. “Is this because you wish to impress Straffan?”
Tabitha couldn’t look her brother in the eye because he’d suspect the truth so she said nothing.
“It doesn’t really matter,” Peter said after a moment. “If he is the cause for getting you near a horse again, I have no argument.”
“Please don’t tell, Mother.”
Peter snorted. “Never fear, little sister. She is the last person I’d ever confide in.”
Andrew worried that perhaps Lady Tabitha had changed her mind and was about to return to the castle when she stepped into the stables along with Peter Storm.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Storm, Lady Tabitha,” Kemp greeted.
Andrew had hoped it would be just the two of them. Not that they were truly alone with Kemp and the stable hands about, but her brother was an intrusion.
Then Andrew nearly kicked himself. This wasn’t a courtship. He was there to help the lady confront her fear and that was all.
“I’ve brought apples and carrots.” She held up a bag.
“You are really going to do this?” Peter asked in surprise.
“She did just fine this morning,” Kemp assured Peter. “We’ll have her over this fear in no time.”
Perhaps the stablemaster was being a bit optimistic. Lady Tabitha’s hands were visibly shaking, and it would take a few more visits before she ever contemplated the idea of sitting on a horse, let alone riding one.
For Lady Tabitha’s sake, it was good that Andrew had no pressing matters since he was informed this morning that Danby regretted that he could find no time in his schedule to meet until after Christmas. Andrew had nearly snorted at the “regretted” bit because he was quite convinced that Danby regretted nothing and was keeping him here longer than necessary for a purpose. Otherwise, why would he insist Andrew arrive on the twenty-first and then put him off? He just couldn’t determine what bloody purpose he was supposed to fulfill.
“Come along, Lady Tabitha. Just like this morning,” Kemp said.
She took a deep breath, notched her chin then stepped further inside the stables.
Andrew had to admire Lady Tabitha at least. This morning she’d been pale following her visit to the stables, and the fear of being here radiated from her; yet, she was determined to face this hurdle and he’d be right by her side.
“Greet them first, the ones you did today, as they know you now,” Kemp talked quietly.
Andrew stepped back toward the opening to stand next to Peter Storm and watched as Kemp led Lady Tabitha to a gelding owned by the duke. Tentatively, she held out her hand and the horse nuzzled it.
“Unbelievable,” Peter Storm whispered. “I never thought to see the day that Tabitha would allow herself to be so near a horse again.”
“It’s good that she’s facing her fear,” Andrew noted. “It’s something I believe we all must do at one time or another.”
Storm studied him. “I suppose one only needs the right incentive to do so.”
Andrew didn’t know exactly what incentive motivated Lady Tabitha, but he was glad to be of assistance.
“Well, as I am not needed, I believe I’ll take a ride,” Storm announced as he studied Andrew. “Care to join me, Straffan?”
Andrew glanced back at Lady Tabitha. As much as he would enjoy another ride, he didn’t want to be too far away in the event a horse scared her. “Thank you, but I’ll remain here.”
“I’ll get your horse, Mr. Storm,” Kemp announced and walked further into the massive stables. Danby could probably house at least fifty horses inside. There was another stable for carriage horses and yet another for work horses and other animals used to farm and till the land, much like Andrew’s estate in Suffolk. Except there, he had no lady wishing to come to know his horses better.
A horse whinnied and Lady Tabitha took a step back, and her hands came up as if to protect herself. She was so skittish, that even the slightest sound might set her one edge, so Andrew moved to her side. He soon realized that the horse simply wanted more attention from Lady Tabitha, not less.
Andrew reached out and patted the sleek chestnut neck but the horse stepped closer to Lady Tabitha.
“Ah, ye prefer Lady Tabitha ta me?”
The horse lifted his head and whinnied again.
Andrew glanced back to the plaque on the back of the wall. “Solomon.”
“I cannot blame ye. She is bonny,” Andrew spoke to the horse then glanced over at Lady Tabitha whose face was quite pink. “He likes ye,” Andrew said. “Ye should pet him.”
Lady Tabitha met Andrew’s eyes and took a tentative step forward and slowly lifted her hand.
Solomon nuzzled her palm and Andrew was rewarded when Lady Tabitha began to smile though her green eyes remained wary.
“He’ll like ye better if ye give him an apple or carrot.”
At that, Lady Tabitha reached into the bag and lifted a carrot up to the horse. Solomon sniffed and then ate directly from the lady’s palm in the most delicate manner. “He does seem gentle.”
That’s because he’s gelded, but Andrew didn’t advise her of that fact because he didn’t want to have to explain if she didn’t understand the meaning. Instead, he moved further into the stall and ran his hand along the horse’s back. “Give me your hand?” he asked gently.
Lady Tabitha bit her lip and then held it out to him. Andrew gently pulled at the tip of each finger, slow and deliberate until they loosened, then he drew the glove slowly off her hand, revealing a bit more skin with each tug. Her breath hitched.
It may only be her hand, but Andrew’s mind went to removing each and every layer of clothing in the same deliberate manner until she was unveiled before him.
He blinked and attempted to erase the thoughts from his mind. This was not the time to be lusting after Lady Tabitha, not in the stables and certainly not at Danby Castle where His Grace might read his mind.
If anything, Danby was far too perceptive, and Andrew needed to guard his thoughts while in Yorkshire.
Once he pocketed her glove, Andrew placed Lady Tabitha’s hand against Solomon’s neck. The horse whinnied again and moved his head closer to Lady Tabitha.
“I do believe Solomon is smitten,” Andrew chuckled.
Lady Tabitha’s face brightened.
“Move closer to me,” Andrew coaxed.
She hesitated a moment and glanced toward the entrance, as if gauging how quickly and easily she could escape.
“He would never hurt ye, lass,” Andrew drew her to his side and her scent of roses wafted up to his nostrils, blocking even the most pungent odors from the stalls. Ah, Solomon wasn’t the only one susceptible to Lady Tabitha’s charms.