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Nothing could stand in her way now.

Hours later, the sway of Violetta’s athletic body pushed Sophia’s thoughts towards Thomas as she looked out over the pristine, rolling hills of the countryside, where flora and fauna flourished and displayed their spring beauty beneath the golden sunlight.

It had turned into a perfect day, but what else would one expect from a day of promised peace?

I can’t wait to get home to you, Thomas. To pick up where we left off.

The man she had thought would be the end of her, the one she had dreaded spending five minutes next to, much less a lifetime. She felt her cheeks flush and a smile tug at her lips. And out here, in the middle of the road with no one else around to spy on her, judge her, or make presumptions about her, she felt free.

She smiled and smiled wide.

I need to talk to him. I want to talk to him. No more waiting. No more misunderstandings and foolish exchanges of words. We are?—

Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud whistling coming from behind her. It seemed she wasn’t as alone as she had thought.

CHAPTER 29

Sophia turned her head without stopping and saw a man on a horse several meters behind her. He was raising an arm, signaling her to slow down. To her relief, she recognized him. It was her uncle.

With a light tug, Violetta slowed down and huffed through her nostrils. Sophia turned in the saddle, waiting for her uncle to catch up.

“Sophia, girl… Finally, I caught up with you. You’re swift and no mistake,” Frederick said, drawing alongside his niece.

“Is something the matter? Did I forget something back at the house?”

“No, my dear. I just wanted to talk to you,” he said, catching his breath. “Forgive my wheezing, I haven’t ridden a horse in quite a while.”

She chuckled. “Then I’m glad to be the cause of you getting back in the saddle.” She paused. “What did you want to talk to me about? I don’t mean to rush you, of course, but I am eager to return home.”

He flinched at that, and she realized it was the first time she had referred to Heathcote Manor in such a way.

“I considered everything you said back at the house, Sophia, and… I have decided.”

She sighed softly. “Uncle, there’s no need for you to hurry your own peace of mind. We all know it’s a rough subject for you. No one is expecting you to change your opinion from one day to the next.”

“That is the problem, my dear.” He shook his head. “You are going to have to forgive me. I have never done something like this before.”

“That is quite understandable. You can take all the time you need, Uncle. There’s nothing to forgive,” she said with a smile.

“No, my dear girl. There will be plenty to forgive,” he replied and then paused, reaching for something behind his back.

Frederick pulled out his pistol and pointed it at Sophia, who didn’t react for a full two seconds, too shocked by the weapon to realize what was happening. A lump formed in her throat as she gulped.

“Uncle?”

“Get off that horse, Sophia. Now.”

“What are you doing?—”

“I am not used to repeating myself, girl.”

Sophia stared right down the barrel, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Her mind urged her body to respond, to react, to dosomething, as white-hot terror surged through her veins.

Maybe if I flick the reins, he won’t have time to react…

As if reading her mind, Frederick pulled back the hammer of the flintlock pistol, and the slightclickmade her flinch.

“If you run, I won’t hesitate to shoot your horse, my dear. Trust me, it won’t be the first time.”