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CHAPTER 10

“Have my horse prepared for a ride please,” Robert ordered the footman before crossing over to the wardrobe to pull out his riding clothes.

After a restless night of tossing and turning and dreams filled with naked limbs, Robert had woken up early and decided to go for a ride before breakfast.

Before he could commence changing, his valet entered the room.

“Good morning, Your Grace. I understand we are going riding this morning,” he said breezily, laying out Robert’s clothing for him.

With an inward sigh, Robert surrendered himself to his valet’s care. He was perfectly capable of putting on a pair of breeches and hessians by himself, but he appreciated Stanley’s duty of care.

His valet had been with him since he was twenty years old, through the ups and downs of the years; Angela’s death, traveling across the continent, his short stint in the army, and finally, returning home to his sick grandmother. Stanley had been there for all of it.

His valet knew him well, including his impatience to be off once Robert set his mind upon something. Nevertheless, he was fastidious about Robert’s appearance, making sure that his hessians were buffed to a shine that reflected Robert’s face on their surface. He also ensured that Robert’s coat was completely buttoned before allowing him to leave the room.

Robert descended the stairs two at a time before crossing the hall and leaving through the front door.

A groom stood in the courtyard with his horse. With a nod of thanks, Robert swung himself into the saddle and turned his steed towards the park.

The slight morning drizzle made him appreciative of his warm thick coat, although the rain on his face felt refreshing. As he rode, he prayed it would clear his mind.

I could do with a word of advice from someone, but who would understand my marriage, much less offer me sage counsel?

He considered speaking to his good friend Lionel, who was an excellent listener, but Lionel was unmarried. What could he possibly tell Robert that would help him navigate through hispresent circumstances? He had other friends and acquaintances, but he felt uncomfortable with the idea of confiding in them.

He knew what his grandmother would have said if he asked for advice. Something along the lines of, “In my day we just got on with it, none of this namby-pamby naval gazing”.

Robert snorted to himself at the thought. Maybe his grandmother would be right. Perhaps he was making a mountain out of a molehill.

Nonetheless, he did not know how to move past the strange impasse he now found himself in with Georgiana. He also did not know how she felt about it.

He pictured Lionel giving him a superior look and saying,“You will never know until you ask her, old friend”.

Easier said than done, old friend.

He turned into Hyde Park, cantering towards the trees to get out of the rain.

The ground was muddy, but thankfully not yet slippery. Pegasus seemed happy to trot along, dodging branches down the winding path between the trees.

He was happy that he had not seen anyone else during his ride. Then again, what sensible person would be out in such inclement weather?

As soon as the thought had occurred to him, he spotted a hooded figure ambling along the path. He slowed down, wondering if the man was a brigand hoping to waylay a careless traveler.

He felt for the knife that he habitually kept in his belt. If they were waiting to rob him, they were going to receive the surprise of their lives.

As he drew closer, he realized that the hooded figure was a woman, judging by the volume of her skirts.

For a moment he wondered if she might be a light o’ love, looking for one last customer, but a closer look told him that her garments were too fine for anyone but a lady.

He frowned, wondering why she was out in the park on her own.

Where is her lady’s maid at least? Is she lost?

He thought about hailing her but did not want to scare her. He knew he was a large man who might appear intimidating to a stranger.

He spurred his horse into a faster canter. As they approached, the cloaked woman turned at the sound of Pegasus’ hoofbeats.

He pulled up the reins in surprise when he saw her face.