Page 34 of An Unforeseen Kiss (Captivating Kisses #4)
“I would be interested in going with you, Miss Snow,” the viscount said. “I am a lifelong rider and have entered horse competitions myself. I might be able to offer some advice.”
“Your advice would be valuable, my lord,” she said. “I am to meet with the head groom and Rollo at the stables at ten o’clock tomorrow morning if you are free to do so.”
“I will see you then, Miss Snow.”
The next morning, Eden went down to the stables, the map in hand. Lord Dyer was already present, and she joined the three men.
Miller, the head groom, took them to a small office inside the stables, and she opened the map, lying it flat on top of the desk. The trio studied it while she pointed out the various features.
“And you say my cousins created this entire design?” Lord Dyer asked.
“Yes, my lord. They have been actively involved in every aspect of the fete’s planning. I know they used their math skills, going out and measuring the meadow and then working to place the various obstacles.”
“Let’s go out and see how it might work,” Miller suggested.
They decided to walk instead of riding, and Lord Dyer fell into step beside Eden.
“You seem almost a part of the family, Miss Snow.”
“I hope you were not offended by my presence at tea yesterday afternoon, my lord. It is just that Lady Traywick is gone for several months to the Season, leaving the girls to my care. They insisted that we take tea and meals together in their mother’s absence.
When Lady Traywick returned to Cumberland, she saw no need to change the arrangement. ”
He frowned. “Then why were you not at dinner last night?”
She felt heat enter her cheeks. “We are not at Traywick Manor, my lord. My presence is not required at the Millvale table.”
“Did Millbrooke or my aunt prevent you from sitting with them?”
“No, my lord. Quite the opposite. His Grace was perfectly willing to have me join them.” She hesitated.
“I am not of the world of Polite Society, however. It is one thing to eat with my charges when their mother is absent, but quite another to be at a ducal estate. They are guests, while I am only a servant.”
“You seem familiar with Polite Society, Miss Snow, even though you are a governess. Might I ask who your parents are?”
“Lord and Lady Brownley,” she replied, tears springing to her eyes at the thought of her parents. “They are no longer with us.”
“Oh!” he said sharply. “I did not know your parents, but I have met the current viscount and his wife.” He shook his head. “Forgive me for being judgmental, Miss Snow, but they are bad news. It is best you have no association with them and their fast reputations.”
“What you say does not surprise me, my lord. Once my father was gone and my cousin came to claim his title and estate, he held all kinds of wild parties at Brownstone before I left.”
“I am sorry you were exposed to him and his crowd of friends.”
“I was living in the dower house with Mama at that time, so I was able to avoid them.”
“Were you there long with her?” he asked, sympathy in his eyes and sincerity in his voice.
“She passed a few months after my father did. She was quite ill. That is when I left Brownstone.”
“It sounds as though you have been through a difficult time. It seems you are happy now, though, with Aunt Agnes and my cousins. I can see a true warmth between all of you.”
“I look upon Lady Traywick as an angel, my lord. I feel she saved me. It has been a delight teaching Lady Verina and Lady Justina. They are bright, sweet girls.”
They reached the meadow where the competition would be held, and all four of them studied the map.
They took turns pacing off where the different jumps and turns would need to occur, and Eden made notes in the journal she had brought along with her.
They made one adjustment which Lord Dyer suggested.
“Now that things are settled, I will speak to the carpenter about helping to build the fences. We will also need holes dug in which to place the poles and flags to show where the turns should occur.”
“I know where we can purchase the poles,” Rollo said. “I’m not sure about the flags, though.”
“I can have the girls sew handkerchiefs. We can then attach those to the poles to serve as flags,” Eden suggested. She then thanked the two grooms, saying, “This was a most productive morning, gentlemen. Thank you for your help.”
“Everyone is looking forward to this fete, Miss Snow,” Miller said. “I have heard you are doing a fine job in putting it together. His Grace will be impressed.”
They returned to the stables, and Viscount Dyer asked her, “Are you up for a ride, Miss Snow? Or I suppose I should ask if you ride.”
Rollo laughed. “Miss Snow rides like the wind, my lord. Why, she could outrun you, especially on Andromeda.”
The viscount looked startled. “ You ride Andromeda? Why, Millbrooke has told me he was close to selling her since no one but him could control her, and he prefers riding Perseus.” Smiling, he said, “Saddle Perseus and Andromeda for us. I am eager to see Miss Snow on horseback.”
She rode with him for over an hour, racing when he wished to do so and jumping fences when he dared her.
They returned to the stables, and the viscount shook his head. “You are the best female rider I have ever seen, Miss Snow. I do believe you might be an even better rider than Millbrooke himself.”
“I have always enjoyed riding,” she shared. “Both my parents thought it important that I learn how to control a horse.”
Eden presented Andromeda with an apple which Rollo handed her, and the horse nibbled daintily until it was gone. Lord Dyer accompanied her back to the house.
Before they parted, he said, “I am glad I came to Millvale and was able to make your acquaintance, Miss Snow. I hope we see more of one another in the future.”
“I am only sorry that you missed seeing His Grace. Perhaps he might stop in town before he returns to Millvale, and you can visit with him there.”
“I will be returning to town tomorrow, so I suppose this is goodbye.”
He took her hand and gallantly kissed her fingers. “Until we meet again, Miss Snow.”