Page 13 of Lady Elinor’s Elf

Unaware that being thoroughly kissed was on a certain gentleman’s mind, Elinor resumed her researches after lunch, losing herself once again in the mystical world of strange creatures, and their even stranger adventures. She puzzled over the thought of a novel, though.

Would anyone take it seriously? Or would it simply be brushed off as another silly story with ridiculous people doing ridiculous things?

Certainly there were genuinely appealing novels available—Sense and Sensibility for one, and she had read it twice since obtaining her copy.

And of course, being a young woman, she couldn’t help wondering if there was a Colonel Brandon in her future.

At that time, she hadn’t met Caleb, and now the thought crossed her mind that he might be excellently suited for the role.

Thinking about him made her restless, and she put her pen down with a sigh. The rain had stopped sometime in the past hour, but it was still quite dull.

She wished she were at Tylwyth Teg Abbey, in that incredible library, with the fire making the room warm, and Caleb sitting beside her, as they compared notes.

Her musings were interrupted by Jane, who popped her head around the door. “Young Barnaby is going down to the village, Miss Elinor. Was there anything you’d be wanting?”

Elinor blinked as inspiration flashed into her mind. “Yes, Jane. Yes, indeed. I need a ride. I’ll go with him.”

“Miss Elinor…” The older woman’s eyebrows rose. “It’ll be muddy, and you with no maid? What will the villagers think?”

“They’ll think I’ma silly girl with no sense.” She shrugged. “Let’s be honest with each other, Jane. I’m really not of much interest to anyone down in Molliney Mere. Being the youngest daughter and not possessed of anything that might intrigue our villagers… Are you really concerned?”

Jane sighed. “Well, if it’s only to the village and back…”

“Of course.” Elinor swallowed the lie. “It’ll do me good to get some fresh air, I think, after being cooped up here all morning.

” She began to gather her papers. “I have made good progress on our…my project, so I must keep all this in order.” With a silent prayer that Jane had missed her slip of the tongue, Elinor conscientiously tidied the desk.

“I’ll tell young Barnaby you’ll be with him in…half an hour?”

“Goodness, no. I’ll be ready in ten minutes, no more. I promise.”

“Very well then. I’m still a bit worried…”

“Dear Jane. I’ll be fine. I haven’t ridden in a while, and I’d like to make sure I haven’t forgotten how.”

Soothing words, an encouraging attitude, and a few compliments to make Jane smile, and Elinor was on her way, shifting a little as she rediscovered the complexities of riding sidesaddle.

“All right then, m’Lady?” The young groom glanced at her.

“I certainly am,” she smiled back. “It’s been a while since I rode. Thank you for presenting me with the opportunity to remember how much fun it is.”

He grinned. “Well, we’ll take it easy, Ma’am, just in case there might be bits of you that don’t think it’s so much fun when we get home.”

She laughed back. “Thank you. I know I’m going to appreciate the thought.”

The rain had indeed stopped, and a few stray sunbeams were attempting to make their way between the thinning clouds. There were few people abroad, one or two farmers waved, a young woman sweeping her doorstep bobbed a curtsy to Elinor, but overall the ride was uneventful.

It took less than an hour for the Molliney business to be concluded, just enough time for Elinor to run through her plan for the return trip.

With one small package tied to her pommel—after all, she really did need that lovely blue ribbon—they remounted and set off for home.

“Barnaby, would you mind if we went the longer way home? I would like to make sure that the river hasn’t overflowed into any of our fields, given all the rain we’ve had.” She smiled. “This would be the perfect opportunity for me to do that, instead of coming back here tomorrow.”

“Of course not, m’Lady. Now that the rain’s stopped, ’tis no bother to ride a bit further…”

Elinor mentally applauded. Now they’d be riding past Tylwyth Teg Abbey. And wasn’t it a shame that her horse should have picked up a stone right in front of it…

*~~*~~*

Caleb heard the crunch of gravel beneath horses’ hooves from his study, and, glancing out of the window, he was surprised to see Elinor sitting comfortably atop a pretty horse. She was accompanied by a young lad, who—since he was carrying bulging bags—didn’t look much like her groom.

Curious now, he headed for his front door, just beating Deryn by a few seconds.

“Sir,” the butler frowned at him. “I believe I should be opening the door. It is my job, after all.”

“Oh hush. I’m here. I’m capable of opening my own door, aren’t I?”

“Well, of course, sir, but…”

The peal of the bell interrupted the discussion, and Caleb nipped in front of Deryn, swinging the door wide in welcome.

“Hullo.” For a few seconds it was all he could manage because he had something stuck in his throat.

Her cheeks were flushed with colour, her eyes bright, and she gave him a smile that melted his boots. “Hullo. I do apologise for this intrusion…”

And that was as far as she got before the thunder of paws and several yipping barks echoed through the front hall, resolving itself into a black furry rocket aimed directly at her.

“Oh no, not this time,” she laughed, neatly dodging the calamitous arrival of Carrádog. But far from being disappointed, he swivelled on two legs and then proceeded to demonstrate his joy at seeing her by dancing all around her, several times.

“My goodness,” she glanced at Caleb. “Is he like this all the time?”

The offender looked at her and, apparently, she was unable to withstand the appeal. The ears were thoroughly rubbed, the back scratched, and many fulsome compliments about what a good boy he was flew through the hall.

“Only around you,” sighed Caleb, realising he and the dog had pretty much the same response to Elinor, but his was more moderated. Outwardly, anyway. Inwardly, he was panting, too.

“Come in, please.”

She glanced behind her. “Well, you see, it’s like this…

” And she proceeded to relate the reason for their journey, and the unfortunate fact that her horse had seemed to be favouring his right foreleg.

So naturally she felt it necessary to seek assistance from the nearest source, which happily proved to be Tylwyth Teg.

“I’m very glad you did, Lady Elinor. Please…won’t you come in? I’m sure I can prevail upon Mrs Deryn for a cup of tea.”

“How kind.”

“Deryn, would you let George know about this?” He turned to Elinor. “If you’d have your lad take the mare around to the stables, he can check that hoof.”

“I believe George knows Barnaby and his family quite well, sir.” Deryn finally got a word in edge-wise. “I will happily take care of this for you if you would like to give Lady Elinor a chance to warm up?”

Caleb’s mind took an interesting diversion at his words, and it was a struggle for him to get it back on track.

“If I could remove my hat for a few moments, perhaps? They do tend to give one a bit of a headache.”

“Of course, my Lady,” he smiled. “I have a lovely fire going in my study, so perhaps you’d care to join me there for a few moments?”

“It sounds delightful,” she smiled back, her voice calm, her demeanour everything a young lady’s should be under the circumstances. “I am very grateful for your hospitality.” She glanced down at Carrádog with a little chuckle. “And the warmth of your welcome.”

“Woof.”

Since Caleb was thinking the human equivalent, he stayed silent as he led Elinor across the hall and into his study, where the fire was, as promised, blazing nicely.

“I shall bring tea shortly, sir.” Deryn bowed, then walked to the stairs leading down into the kitchen.

Elinor looked at Caleb as they walked to the hearth, and she held out her hands, obviously appreciating the warmth. “This is…”

“It is indeed.”

He was lost. And she was in his arms before he realised he’s reached for her, her face upturned, her eyes shining as her gaze fell to his lips…

“Sometimes even the most unlikely of plans come true,” he murmured.

Before she could ask what that meant, he pulled her close, closer, and then lowered his head, kissing her as if she were the last woman on earth.

And in that instant, he realised that for him...she was.