Sophia
“I know that I have been very callous toward him, Sophia, but Marcus Harrington’s family does have a lovely country estate.” Clara was holding her reins gently in her gloved hand, her dark hair blowing about in the cool, spring breeze.
Sophia smiled, happy to be out under the sunshine with her friend and Anne, riding along fields of lovely purple and white flowers. “That he does. And what of the man, Clara? He is kind and humorous. He seems to be a lot different than I thought he was.”
Clara chewed on her lip. “I cannot deny that, even though it pains me to agree with you on the subject. He does seem to be very different than I had first assumed.”
“Perhaps you should give him a chance then?” Once the words were out of her mouth, she wondered if she should take her own advice. Could she give Jasper another chance?
Clara sighed. “I know. Perhaps you are right.”
“Clara!” Mrs. Torrence stood by a far-off elm tree, and Sophia could see Marcus astride a dark steed, lowering his head to speak to her.
Clara turned back to Sophia. “It appears I am summoned,” she said in a bored voice. “You know, I cannot wait for the season to be over, so that I can be left in peace.”
“I agree,” Sophia chuckled. Clara winked at her and left, riding toward the pair at the tree. Sophia turned to Anne. “Come, Anne, let us take the horses a little closer to the flower fields. They are quite lovely in today’s sunshine. If this was my home, I believe I would come out every day and pick a bundle of them to put in a vase in the house.”
Anne smiled. “What a beautiful idea, Miss Sophia. Then the whole house would be filled with their lovely scent.”
They wandered along a little, and Sophia took a calming breath, enjoying the afternoon. She was afraid to go back to busy London the next day. “I think that I could stay here forever, Anne. In London, I can barely hear myself think. There is always so much to do and to see, and I feel my thoughts and emotions swirling around inside me with no way to sort themselves out.”
“I completely understand you, Miss Sophia. It is a frenzied place, indeed.” Sophia noticed her lady’s maid looked slightly troubled, but she had no time to ask why, for her horse suddenly reared up, and Sophia cried out, clutching the reins tightly to keep on the back of it.
“My goodness!” she called as the horse fell back to its hooves again. She thought the animal was finally settled, when it reared up again, and began to run forward. Anne was calling out after her, but the horse was thundering away, and Sophia could feel her hands sliding slowly down the leather reins.
The horse slowed again, but then it reared up once more, and this time, Sophia screamed as she fell down its back and landed with a thud on the hard ground, a shooting pain coursing through her ankle.
She lay back for a little, attempting to catch her breath, when she heard the deep sound of hooves rushing toward her. She hoped and prayed it was not her own horse, coming to finish her off, but when she looked up into the blue sky, she saw Jasper come into view, and she’d never felt more relieved than at that moment.
He jumped down to her side, and she suddenly felt his strong hands on her arms. “Sophia, are you all right?” He was leaning down close to her, looking all over her body.
She nodded and tried her best to sit up. “Yes, I believe that all is well. It is only my ankle.” She winced as she tried to pull her leg toward her. Jasper stopped her.
“Sit back for a moment. Let me see.” He moved to her ankle just as Anne approached on her own horse and jumped down to where Jasper crouched.
“Miss Sophia, are you all right?” Anne said with panic in her voice.
“Yes, but my ankle hurts.”
Anne looked to Jasper as his hands were gripping Sophia’s shoe. “Lord Addington, we must be certain that we are not too indelicate. I will assist you.”
He nodded, and Sophia’s face moved from wincing to grimacing, as both Anne and Jasper felt her ankle.
He sighed. “I do not believe it is broken, but I think it is sprained. Come, we shall ride back to the house on my horse.” Before Anne could say anything else, Jasper turned to her, his tone confident. “Miss Timbers, please ride closely behind us. We want everything to be above reproach, as you say. At the house, we can lay Sophia’s foot up to prevent any swelling.”
Sophia nodded, realizing she did not want to argue with such confident instruction. Jasper leaned down and slid his arms under her legs and back, lifting her up easily, as if she weighed nothing. “Put your arms about my neck for a moment, Miss Sophia, while I walk to my horse.”
Sophia bit her lip, wondering if it really was too indiscreet, but she saw Anne nod in her direction, and so she moved her arms up around Jasper’s neck, closing her eyes for a moment, as her whole body reacted to being so near to him, held tightly in his strong arms.
It really was unfair that he was the handsomest man she had ever met. God should have been more merciful to her when Jasper had hurt her. Now that he was back, just being close to him made her resolve weaken one little bit at a time.
Once they arrived at the side of his horse, Jasper said, “Here. I will lower you down, and then I will assist you onto the horse in front of me.”
Sophia nodded and felt herself slide down his chest until she stood on one leg. Then Jasper moved around her and clutching her waist, helped her up into the saddle. He expertly jumped up behind her and took the reins so that both of his arms surrounded her.
“Come, Miss Timbers. We do not want to waste any time.”
Anne nodded and jumped astride her own horse, and their small party rode toward the house.
***
Jasper
Jasper’s heart was thundering wildly in his chest as he rode. It was partly from fear for Sophia’s safety and partly from how close he had been to her for a matter of moments. He had actually been able to hold her tightly and carry her in his arms. It was like a dream come true.
But at that first moment, when he’d seen her fall from her horse, his heart had tightened painfully in his chest, and he’d never ridden so hard. He thought her head or neck would have been injured, but when he found out it was only her ankle, he could not have felt more relieved.
At the house, a group of people emerged from the back doors, all aflutter with fear. Marcus rushed over, saying, “We were beginning to get worried when you had not returned. What happened?”
“The horse bucked, and Miss Sophia had a fall.”
“By God, I do apologize, Miss Sophia. Let me assist you.” Working together, the two men helped her down from the horse, and at the doorway, they released her into Anne’s waiting arms. Jasper felt the loss of her skin underneath his fingers keenly. If only the ride back to the house could have lasted just a little bit longer.
Sophia turned back to Marcus with a smile. “Think nothing of it, Lord Dorwich. It was a mere accident.” Clara appeared at her side, touching her arm.
“Oh, Sophia! We were wondering where you were after all this time. Can I help you?”
“No, thank you, Clara. Anne will do well enough for me. I simply need to sit down and put my leg upon a cushion.”
“Of course. My mother and I will assist you.” Clara and Mrs. Torrence disappeared inside the house to organize the furniture for Sophia.
Suddenly, Mr. Weatherby emerged, looking about at the commotion, and Jasper felt a heavy dread in his stomach. He knew just how it would turn out. When Mr. Weatherby saw his daughter clutching to her lady’s maid, his face paled.
“Sophia!” he said, gripping her arm. “What happened?” He looked up to see Jasper’s face, and his scowl deepened. “What did you do?”
Sophia laid a soft hand on her father’s arm without even glancing at Jasper. Her voice was calm and patient. “Nothing, Father. It was the horse that bucked. I am very well. Merely a sprain. I must keep my leg lifted. Please.”
Mr. Weatherby kept his gaze on Jasper. Jasper simply stared back, angry that he had been so accused and in front of the rest of their party. At least no one else seemed to have heard, for the Crawfords and his own father were focused on Sophia or discussing her injury amongst each other worriedly.
Mr. Weatherby turned back to his daughter and said, “We leave for London today, my dear. It is better to recuperate at home. And then we can find ourselves some more pleasant company.” Jasper wanted to spit in disgust at the man’s insinuations.
At that moment, Lord Westchester emerged and saw the scene with fearful eyes. Once all was explained to him, he apologized heartily. “You must forgive us, Miss Weatherby. Please do come in and rest as long as you need.” He led the way through the glass doorways.
Slowly, the rest of the party followed after. Marcus and Jasper waited behind, watching the backs of the guests. When everyone had disappeared from sight, Marcus leaned in, “Bloody Hell, I am sorry, friend. I should not have given her a horse that spooks so easily. It must have been a snake amongst the flower patches. I will send the groom out to search for the horse later.”
Jasper shook his head. “It is no trouble, Marcus, for I have had the chance to be closer to Sophia than I have ever thought possible.” He grinned up at his smiling friend.
Marcus laughed and crossed his arms. “That is a perk, indeed. But I see you are ever the wolf, according to her father. He will increase his protection of her, no doubt.”
Jasper frowned. He had not thought of that. “Well, let us hope that what I have been able to say to Sophia thus far will help turn her opinion of me into my favor.”
Marcus patted him on the shoulder. “Yes, there is that to hope for.” They walked inside, and Jasper took a breath, wanting to remain strong, but after the accusing look of Mr. Weatherby, he wondered if he would lose all ground, just when Sophia was beginning to believe him.