We came to a clearing. Sebastian circled back around as Miss Modesty slowed, not waiting for his stallion to come to a complete halt before dismounting. Holding my chestnut mare steady by the reins, he offered his hand in assistance.
“Thank you.” I struggled with my skirts, finally managing to get my legs over to one side.
Sebastian gripped me by my waist, pulling me down. He held me against him for an interminable minute, our eyes locked in a dance we’d started years before. My heart bled for the loss of something that would never be mine. How could I tell him?
I hate to say goodbye to you.
I have no choice.
I blinked as his beard grew before my eyes. His hair shortened as if clipped by magic. And his eyes. Did they change to blue? It lasted but a moment before my Sebastian returned.
What the devil?
We broke apart as Admiral nickered, pacing back and forth with his ears pricked. His top lip curled and his nostrils flared. The mare grew agitated, her tail flicking. I scrubbed my hand through her black mane before patting her neck. She tossed her head, grunting in response. I backed away.
Sebastian worked hastily to remove their saddles.
The stallion wasted not a moment before mounting the Hanoverian mare. She accepted him, growing more calm as Admiral Caine performed his task.
Indeed. Miss Modesty had not quite lived up to her name. I suspected she’d lost the race deliberately to satisfy her urge for some male attention.
I stared, fascinated. Admiral was vastly more majestic with his powerful thrusts than Uncle Tobias had been. “I was under the impression that breeding season had ended.”
“Not entirely, as you can see. He has been itching to get at Miss Modesty. We were going to free her from her stall this morning and pen them in together. My father was not happy to discover she was missing. But if this results in a foal, all may be forgiven.”
“Oh. I was unaware. I do apologise.” I tilted my head to take him in as he stood beside me. He was taller than my father and still had years of growth to come. What would he look like as a fully grown man? Would he have a beard, a moustache? Or would he shave?
I pulled at my lace collar, heat consuming me. I suspected it was not due to the fact I no longer had the wind whipping my face. Was it being here with him, or witnessing the mating ritual between two magnificent beasts? “I cannot say I blame them. It is rather hot and the day is splendid. I think I may need a swim to cool off.” I unfastened the brooch at my neck before unbuttoning the bodice of my dress.
“What are you doing?” Sebastian’s eyes could not have been any wider.
Saying goodbye. “I do believe I already informed you of my intentions.” Removing my arms from the bodice, I shimmied the fabric over my head before starting on the removal of my petticoats. “Would you mind untying my corset?”
He made a sound as though he were choking.
“Sebastian?” Standing in only my corset, chemise, and drawers, I turned my back.
I smiled as he tugged on the laces, and I worked on freeing my braids. Within a minute, the stiff garment fell forward, catching on my arms. I whipped it off, discarding it onto the grass. Pulling my chemise over my head before untying my drawers, I finally freed myself of my restraints, symbols of the life I fully intended to leave behind.
Spinning around, I smiled. “Are you not swimming with me?”
He answered by reaching for the buttons of his vest. His head bobbed up and down as he took me in.
Leaving him to undress, I made my way down to the river and dipped my toe in the chilly water. Goosebumps broke out all over my skin. I hugged my arms around my waist and stepped in up to my knees. Unable to stop the shiver, I questioned my judgement.
“It is much easier if you jump in quickly.” Sebastian demonstrated his theory by barrelling past me and flopping backwards into the water. The splash had my shivers intensifying and a squeak of shock catching in my throat.
His head popped out of the water and he flicked his hair to the side, sending another spray my way. “The longer you stand there with wet skin, the longer you will suffer. Though, I am enjoying the view.”
I walked until the surface reached the tops of my thighs. Filling my lungs before pinching my nose, I closed my eyes and dove in. In a rush, I expelled my lungful under the water. The cold was like thousands of tiny needles piercing my muscles. Sebastian’s hands found me and pulled me to the surface. I immediately dragged in as much air as I could. How had he been doing this all these years? And in spring and autumn when it would surely be much colder.
“Breathe. Your body will adjust.”
“I think I may have failed to mention that I have never been swimming before.” I panted, trying to calm my besieged system.
His eyebrows climbed towards the heavens. “You cannot swim?”
I shook my head, still shivering and out of breath.
He barked a laugh before pulling me close, overcome with hilarity. “You ludicrous girl. I love you.”
Nobody had ever uttered those words to me before. His declaration should have filled me with immense joy. And it did. But the preceding events marred its affect. I could not imagine anything I wanted to hear more than those three words coming from Sebastian’s mouth. Unless it was my mother telling
