He had never, ever, felt like that-not over anyone or anything. For one fractured moment, he’d felt like the sun had gone out, like the light had been snuffed from his life.
It was ludicrous. He’d first met her two days ago.
He tried to tell himself it had been some sense of duty-some idea of responsibility to someone younger than himself, some loyalty to Charles in whose care the gypsy presumably was. He tried to tell himself a lot of things-he didn’t believe any of them.
The repetitive task of removing the spikes gave him time to push his unwanted emotions back behind the wall from which they had sprung. He was determined to keep them there, safely locked away.
He plucked off the last spike, then rose and stretched his back. She’d finished her hair some time before and had waited in silence while he completed his task.
“Thank you.”
The words were soft; she looked at him for a moment, then turned and gathered her reins.
He stepped beside her and wordlessly offered his cupped hands-he knew she’d bite her tongue rather than ask.
With a bob of her head, she placed her boot in his hands. He threw her up easily-she was such a lightweight. Frowning, he walked back to the chestnut and swung up to the saddle.
In silence, she led the way back to the lane.
He followed, deep in thought.
Once they reached the lane, he tapped the chestnut’s flanks and moved up beside her.
Francesca was aware he was there, but kept her gaze fixed forward. The irritation she’d initially-perfectly legitimately-felt at his outburst was fading, only to be replaced by a soupcon of alarm. This was the man she might shortly marry.
Behind his terse words, his almost violent movements, she’d glimpsed a temper as fiery as hers. To her mind, that counted in his favor-she’d much rather deal with a fire-eater than a man with ice in his veins. It was his possible-now likely-attitude to her riding that filled her with concern. In the two years she’d lived in England, this country of reserve, riding had been her only outlet for the wildness that was an integral part of her soul.
An integral part of her-if she didn’t release it, exercise it now and then, she’d go mad. And as a proper young lady in England, riding like the wind was the wildest activity permissible.
What if her husband-he whom she would vow to obey and who would have control over all aspects of her life-forbade her to ride? To ride wildly-for her, they were one and the same.
She could see the problem looming, yet before she fell, she hadn’t imagined his enthusiasm. She hadn’t forgotten their mutual exhilaration, the shared enjoyment. He’d reveled in the wildness as much as she.
The gates of the Hall appeared ahead; as they slowed, Francesca shot him a glance. He was frowning. In a way that boded her no good.
“What?”
His gaze flicked to her, still aggravated, still stormy. “I’m considering riding in to inform Sir Charles you shouldn’t be riding his hunters.”
“No!”
“Yes!” The chestnut jibbed; ruthlessly, he steadied it. “You’re an exceptional rider-I won’t deny that-but you don’t have the strength to manage hunters. If you must run wild, you’d do better on an Arab, a mare. Something fleet and nimble, but more responsive to your guidance. You on the grey-or that bay you rode yesterday-if the horse bolts, you won’t be able to control it.”
She met his gaze with muted belligerence, unwilling to be bullied. Unfortunately, in this case, she knew he was right. If one of Charles’s hunters got away from her, all she’d be able to do was cling and pray. Their gazes remained locked, both gauging, assessing the shifting possibilities… ”All right.” Looking down, she gathered her reins. “I’ll speak with Charles.”
“Do that.” His tone was just short of an order. “No more hunters.” He paused, his gaze still on her face. “So you promise…?”
She threw him a glance that had a warning blazoned in it. “I promise I’ll talk to Charles tonight.”
He nodded. “In that case, I’ll leave you here.”
He hesitated, then swept her a bow that was the essence of elegant grace-on horseback, a feat not to be sneered at. With a last look, he wheeled the chestnut and cantered down the lane.
Francesca considered his departing back, then, lips curving in an appreciative smile, she turned the grey down the drive.
Her would-be husband had redeemed himself. She’d expected him to make a push to forbid her to run wild, even though he’d enjoyed the wildness, too. Understood it, too, it seemed; he’d been clever enough to avoid the pitfall. Considering his tack, she noted that he’d seemed primarily concerned with her safety.
Pondering that, she trotted to the stable.