Red, Red Rose by Marjorie Farrell

Author:Marjorie Farrell [Farrell, Marjorie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency Historical
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1999-08-22T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

The next morning a heavy mist hung over the countryside and Val and his horse were covered with fog droplets after only a minute. He had decided to give Caesar a rest and had chosen a rangy bay from the stables, one he’d never ridden before. The animal was high-strung and the slightest thing spooked him, like a tree appearing suddenly out of the mist, and Val had to concentrate on keeping his seat. When he reached the edge of the camp, he was almost on top of James before he saw him.

“What a morning,” Val exclaimed.

“But the sun is already breaking through,” said James, pointing to the ridge that bordered the camp on the east. “In fifteen minutes we will be exclaiming over the beauty of the day.”

“I hope so. Where is Charlie?”

‘Tm sure he’ll be here any moment. There, I can see them…er, him.”

Val did not catch James’s slip of the tongue and when two riders emerged out of the mist, he looked over at his friend in surprise. “He’s brought someone with him?”

“Why, so he has,” said James cheerfully.

“Good morning, Val,” Charlie called out. “Miss Gordon often rides out in the morning, so I asked her to join us. You don’t mind, James?”

“Not at all. In fact, I am delighted. Aren’t you, Val?”

“Of course.” Well, what else could he have said? That he was dreading his next encounter with Elspeth Gordon?

She looked as embarrassed and uncomfortable as he felt. When he glanced over at Charlie and James, he saw his brother and his friend exchanging self-satisfied grins. So this wasn’t really a delightful surprise to them, eh? Only to Miss Gordon and himself!

They rode slowly, James and Val in front and Charlie and Elspeth behind for a few minutes, and then, as if a giant hand had pulled aside a gray veil, the sun broke through the fog.

“There, didn’t I tell you, Val?” said James. He turned in his saddle. “Why don’t we try a nice long canter, Charlie? Elspeth?”

They spurred their horses and galloped across the valley. It was a glorious morning, Val had to admit as his horse finally settled down. Now that the animal was warmed up and the mist was gone, he realized the horse had a very comfortable gait and he relaxed into it, almost forgetting that Miss Gordon was a member of their party and he would have to converse with her sooner or later.

It became clear that it would be sooner rather than later, for as they pulled their horses to a trot and then a walk, Charlie ended up next to James and Val was side by side with Elspeth. “It has turned into a lovely day, hasn’t it, Miss Gordon?” Val said politely.

“Yes, it has, Lieutenant. The sun is most welcome after the gray days we have had this week,” Elspeth responded with equal formality.

Val turned in his saddle to face her. The sun was shining directly behind her and all the fog droplets that clung to her jacket had turned to diamonds.

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