Beatrice stared at it in surprise before looking around for an owner. It seemed the beast was quite alone. And yet, he wore a saddle and bridle.
How strange.
She scrambled to her feet and slowly approached the animal, not wanting to spook it.
In truth, Bea had never been fond of horses. They had scared her witless as a child and even now, though she could ride if needs be, she wasn’t a fan.
She was too short, that was it. And being as small as she was, when she was atop a giant horse, she felt far too removed from solid ground for her peace of mind.
“What are you doing here, hmm?” She kept her voice low and soothing, making sure she stayed in the creature’s line of vision. “Have you lost your owner somewhere along the way?”
Beatrice looked around again. She bit her lip, not quite sure what to do.
If this horse had thrown someone then he or she could be quite seriously hurt.
Whilst Beatrice stood there agonising, another sound caught her attention, and suddenly a man came bursting through the trees, his Hessians stomping on the ground, twigs snapping and squirrels dashing out of his way.
“Ares! There you are. What are you bloody well playing at?”
Beatrice felt her jaw drop as the angry stranger approached. Her eyes widened as they took in his dark-green superfine covered in leaves and twigs, his fawn breeches, along with his highly polished black boots.
He didn’t wear a hat, but had one clutched in one hand, a riding crop in the other.
She didn’t know if he’d noticed her yet, given that she stood on the other side of his marvellously unperturbed horse.
Maybe she could sneak away –
“Don’t expect any oats when we get back you overgrown—“
The man came to an abrupt halt, and Beatrice guessed that he’d seen her. Or parts of her, in any case.
“My apologies, miss. I did not see anyone standing there.”
She stayed stock still and completely silent, not knowing if she should run or introduce herself.
One didn’t introduce oneself to strange men in the forest; she didn’t need Monsieur Bisset to tell her that.
“Miss?”
Beatrice called herself every sort of dolt for standing there mute while the man tried to speak with her.
Taking a deep breath, she peeked out from behind the horse.
Lord, but he was handsome!
Her jaw dropped once more as she stared up at the stranger before her. A lock of dark, chestnut hair fell across his brow as deep blue eyes gazed down at her.
He smiled as he sketched a bow.
“I am sorry for my conduct. I did not see you there. I hope I haven’t offended you?”
“N-no, not at all,” she managed to sputter.
“My horse sometimes has a mind of his own. I only turned my back for a second.”
He stopped suddenly and stepped around the animal, who was still happily munching on the grass before him.
“You’re not hurt, are you?” he asked as his gaze raked over her. Beatrice was shocked as her entire body heated under his careful scrutiny.
“N-no,” she said again, cursing her own shyness. “I did fall but –“
“You are hurt.” His face lit with concern, and Bea felt a blush stain her cheeks.
Nobody ever really showed concern for her. Certainly nobody outside of Mama, Ben, or Talia.
“I’m not, I assure you.” She rushed to put his mind at ease.
They stood in a silence that grew steadily more excruciating for Beatrice.
“Well, I shan’t delay you any longer, miss. I’ll take my unruly mount and be on my way.”
Beatrice couldn’t help but respond to his grin, though of course she shouldn’t.
“G-good day, then.” She bobbed a quick curtsy then turned to hurry back to the house.
“Miss?”
His voice called out softly and though Beatrice knew she should ignore it, she turned back round nonetheless.
“Yes?”
“Might I be so bold as to ask who you are? Just in case my horse tries to knock you over again. I’ll need to know who to direct his apology to.”
Beatrice laughed.
“His apology?” she asked.
“Indeed,” he answered with mock solemnity. “After all, he is the one who caused the fall, not I. It’s only right that he should be the one to atone for it.”
Beatrice laughed again at the man’s outrageousness.
And even though she knew he was a scoundrel for asking for it, and that she shouldn’t encourage such things, she found herself wanting to prolong their strange meeting.
“I am Lady Beatrice,” she answered shyly. “My mother is Lady Fortescue.”
She watched as the man’s eyes widened in surprise.
“My lady.” He bowed deferentially. “I apologise for not addressing you in the correct manner. It seems both my horse and I have a lot to apologise for this morning.”
Beatrice couldn’t believe how much she was enjoying herself.
“That is quite alright,” she answered, shyness quite forgotten. “I forgive you. Both of you.”
“You are too magnanimous, my lady,” he took her hand and pressed the most fleeting of kisses against the back of it. But it was enough to have Beatrice’s heart racing and cheeks scalding.
He released her hand, and Bea resisted the urge to press it back into his hold.
Good heavens, what was wrong with her? She should leave before she did anything foolish. Or inappropriate.
“Well, I should go then,” she said, albeit reluctantly.
Turning away from him once more, she stumbled slightly as she hurried toward home.
As she reached the gate that led back to the grounds of her estate, Beatrice couldn’t help peeking back over her shoulder.
He was still standing where she’d left him. And he was watching as she walked away.
Chapter Two
“It’s just so exciting.”
Beatrice couldn’t contain her grin as Natalia squeezed her arm, her icy blue eyes sparkling.
“Hardly, Talia,” she muttered. “I didn’t even remember to ask his name.”
“That just makes it even more exciting,” her friend insisted.
They were walking through the village, watching as the local reverend scurried around the square barking orders.
Preparations for the May Day festivities were underway. In only a
