Page 27 of An Enchanting Kiss (Captivating Kisses #5)

A s Lia rode from Traywick Manor to Crestbrook the next morning, she finally admitted to herself that she had hoped yesterday’s conversation with Lord Cressley had gone much different than it had.

When she had told the viscount that they needed to limit the contact between them and brushed aside the kiss, she had secretly wished he would declare that he had feelings for her.

Not that she thought he was in love with her—and she still wasn’t certain if she was in love with him—but she had wanted him to protest what she had said.

Instead, he had acquiesced to her wishes, and now she would not see much of him at all.

That thought threatened to send her into a deep melancholy.

Lia knew she must rally from this setback.

She had an obligation to be happy around Celia as she cared for the child.

Just because her relationship with Celia’s uncle now proved to be almost nonexistent, she could not blame an innocent child for the mess two adults had made.

In fact, she suspected that helping to care for Celia would become the bright spot of her day.

She rode around the lake, which was the shortest way to reach Lord Cressley’s house, and came to a stop outside it in the circular drive. Almost immediately, the door opened, and a footman called, “I will fetch Miss Celia for you now, my lady.”

He closed the door, and she sat atop Orion, composing herself in case Lord Cressley did accompany his niece outside. Lia had told him it would not be necessary, but she needed to prepare herself, all the same.

Both relief—and disappointment—flooded her when the door opened again, and Celia was escorted out by the housekeeper.

“Good morning, Mrs. Prater,” she called, swallowing the lump in her throat. “And good morning to you, too, Celia.”

“Thank you for taking on the child until a governess comes, my lady,” Mrs. Prater said as she lifted Celia up to Lia. “None of us really know what to do with a small girl. You are a blessing in disguise.”

As she settled Celia in front of her, she told the housekeeper, “It is a delight to have Miss Celia’s company. I will bring her home by half-past three today, Mrs. Prater.”

Turning Orion, she began walking the horse, allowing Celia time to get used to being on Orion with her.

“Go faster,” Celia demanded.

Laughing, Lia complied, nudging the horse into a brisk canter.

They reached the lake and rode along the path until they were on Traywick lands. After they left the lake behind, Celia asked if they could go even faster.

“Hold on tight,” she told the girl, bringing Orion into a full gallop for a few minutes.

She slowed the horse as the stables came into view, and Celia laughed in delight.

“Do you like being atop a horse?” she asked.

“I want to ride a horse like you and Uncle Rupert.”

“Then that shall be the first thing we do today. I know of just the horse for you. It is a pony named Posey.”

“Posey, Posey,” Celia said in a sing-song voice.

They reached the stables, and she saw Tray standing in front. He took Celia from her, lowering the girl to the ground, and then helped Lia from the saddle.

“I get to ride today, my lord,” Celia said happily. Lady Lia said so. ”

“That sounds quite fun, Celia,” Tray said jovially.

A groom appeared with Tray’s horse saddled, and her cousin took the reins in hand. Lia handed her reins to the same groom, and he led the horse into the stables.

“Are you riding out for a final time today?” she asked.

“Yes. I will miss being at Traywick Manor. I am thankful I was still here when you and Tia arrived. It has been so enjoyable connecting with you again, Cousin. Since tonight is my last night at home, Mama has promised me a dinner with all my favorite foods. She invited several neighbors to this dinner, but it struck me that Lord Cressley arrived after the invitations went out. Would you do me a favor and ask him if he would come and join us this evening?”

“I can do so when I return Celia to Crestbrook this afternoon,” Lia said, not in favor of having to spend time in the viscount’s company without Celia as a buffer.

“I think Cressley is going to be a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. He seems a decent fellow.”

“Yes, I am certain the two of you will grow quite close over the years.” Celia had been moving toward the stables and now entered, so Lia added, “I need to make certain my charge is all right. I hope you do not mind if I use Posey to teach her how to sit a horse. Celia is of an age where she needs to learn the basics of riding.”

“Posey is perfect for a child’s riding lessons. I will leave you to it, Lia.”

Tray mounted his horse and gave a wave before riding away. She went inside the stables, catching up to Celia. They stopped in front of a stall where a horse leaned out, and Celia gazed up.

“He’s so tall.”

She picked up the girl and said, “Horses like to be scratched between their ears. Like this.”

Lia demonstrated and then Celia did the same, causing a contented look to cross the animal’s face .

“He’s happy,” Celia said.

“It does not take much to make a horse happy. Here, stroke his nose, like this.”

She took Celia’s hand in hers and had the girl pet the horse’s nose and then the side of his neck.

“I like horses,” the child declared.

“I learned to ride when I was a little girl. I have enjoyed doing so my entire life. Hopefully, you will take to it and feel the same way.”

They continued down the row of stalls, talking to and petting several of the horses, finally coming to Posey.

She signaled a groom and said, “Please saddle Posey and put a leading rein on her.”

“Right away, my lady.”

Lia placed Celia on her feet again and took the girl’s hand, leading her outside once more. After Posey appeared, ready for them, she told Celia a little about horses. Then she placed the child atop Posey’s back, seeing Celia beam with joy.

For the next half-hour, she led the horse about, allowing Celia to grow comfortable at such a great height by herself. Being that far from the ground didn’t seem to bother the girl in the least, and as Lia guided the horse, Celia called out to the head groom, who had come to watch the lesson.

“I’m riding!”

“I think that will be the end of today’s lesson.”

She motioned to the groom who had been standing nearby in case he was needed and gave him the leading rein. “Thank you,” she said, pulling Celia from the saddle and placing her on the ground.

Celia slipped her hand into Lia’s and said, “Can I ride again later?”

“Not today. The next time you come to Traywick Manor, though, we will have another lesson. You will be coming here every other day until your governess arrives.”

As they began walking back toward the house, Celia asked, “ What’s a governess?”

It surprised her that Lord Cressley had not informed his niece of the person coming soon.

“She will be a very nice lady who will come to Crestbrook and teach you all kinds of things. She will also care for you. Bathe and dress you. See your hair is combed and braided. You will learn so much from her, such as how to read a book and do maths.”

“I want you to be my governess,” Celia said stubbornly, her bottom lip thrusting out in a pout.

“I am helping out your uncle for a couple of weeks until your governess arrives. I do not live here, though, Celia. Traywick Manor is the home of my cousins. Lady Tia and I live far away from here. You have to get into a carriage and ride for many days before you would reach Millvale, my home.”

Tears welled in the girl’s eyes. “Can’t you stay here, Lady Lia? I want you to. Uncle Rupert does, too.”

Her throat grew thick with unshed tears.

Lia swallowed hard, forcing down the emotions.

“I must go home to where my family lives, Celia. I miss them. Then I plan to go to the biggest city in England. It is called London. I will show you where it is in the atlas. There, I will find a nice man whom I wish to wed, and I will become his wife. We will have children together.”

“You could be Uncle Rupert’s wife,” Celia suggested, not realizing how her words hurt Lia.

“Your uncle Rupert is also going to London next spring when I do. We call London town. He will also find a nice lady to wed. He will bring her home to Crestbrook, and she will be your aunt. The children your uncle Rupert and his wife have will be your cousins, just like my cousins are Lady Verina, Lady Justina, and Lord Traywick.”

Celia looked up at her. “Why can’t you wed each other?”

Lia could see how that would make perfect sense to a child. She would try to explain it the best she could .

“Because we do not suit one another,” she said firmly. “I am looking for certain things in my husband, just as your uncle is looking for certain things in his wife.” She paused. “We are just looking for different things, that’s all. We are friends, but we will never be husband and wife.”

She had them cut through the kitchens, hoping that would distract the girl from further talk of marriage between her and the viscount. As she suspected, Cook was thrilled to see the little girl.

“Miss Celia, isn’t it? I’m so glad you came to see us. I am baking a special cake today. I hope you’ll want to try some of it and let me know how it tastes.”

The girl’s eyes lit up at the mention of cake. “I like cake,” she proclaimed. “Could I help?”

Cook looked taken aback at the request, but Lia nodded encouragingly, saying, “I think it would be a wonderful lesson for Miss Celia to see how a cake is created. Would you mind if we stay in the kitchens and watch you do so, Cook?”

“Why, I suppose so,” the old woman said. “Let me get what I need, and you can help mix the ingredients, Miss Celia.”