A Winter's Knight by Elizabeth Cole

Author:Elizabeth Cole [Cole, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-11-18T18:30:00+00:00

* * * *

The next day dawned bright and cold, the sun shining on a new blanket of snow. Phoebe had somehow slumbered deeply, despite being sure she’d never sleep again. Nevertheless, she woke early. She dressed with care, changing her outfit three times, and then went downstairs to await Tony. He hadn’t promised that he’d come at any particular time, but she began peeking out the front parlor window at ten o’clock, the earliest acceptable hour one could receive visitors in the country.

Phoebe’s fidgeting finally got to Nan, who insisted that she sit down and stop ‘shuttling around the house like a mad cat.’ Nan was no fool, and a few well-worded questions got nearly the whole story out of her ward. The first meeting, the dance last night, and his promise to see her today. Nor was the older woman at all surprised to see the captain galloping down the drive at twenty past.

Phoebe’s heart jumped when she heard the sound of hooves outside, and when Nan stepped aside to let a tall shadow inside, her insides melted. Tony stood in the entrance as if he’d always belonged there, asking Nan very properly if Mr Hartridge was at home before flashing a quick smile at Phoebe.

Mr Hartridge was at home, of course, and Phoebe introduced Tony to him when he came into the hall. The appearance of the soldierly man startled Hartridge momentarily, but he soon grew voluble, seeing how well Captain Sterling and his daughter got on. Phoebe asked diffidently if it would be all right to go for a brief ride with Captain Sterling. Her father assented with a mild warning to not take all day. Shortly afterward, Phoebe found herself riding Dasher, trotting next to Tony’s horse in the wintry air.

“I gather that my appearance passed muster,” Tony said. “Or your father would have tossed me out. Which way would you like to ride?”

Phoebe pointed to the road leading north. “That way, I think. And why should you think there was ever a chance my father wouldn’t approve of you? Are you hiding something?” She threw an arched glance at him, then spurred Dasher forward, forcing Tony to catch up with her. They rode briskly along the narrow road, which wound past farms and wooded patches, until it came to a crest overlooking a wide valley.

“Here we are,” Phoebe declared. “This is one of my favorite views. In summer it’s even better.”

“I like it just fine now,” Tony said, although he was not looking at the landscape.

Phoebe colored at his comment. “Do you?”

“It has a certain charm,” he replied. He angled his horse closer to her own, reaching out to catch her chin. He lowered his mouth to her own, giving her a long, slow kiss.

She reveled in the feeling of his mouth on hers, the contrast of heat with the surrounding cold. When he pulled away, she drew in a shaky breath. “Well,” she whispered. “That is…well. I liked that.”

His mouth twitched. “I admire your honesty, Miss Hartridge.

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