The Regal Pink by Jenny Knipfer

Author:Jenny Knipfer [Knipfer, Jenny]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jenny Knipfer—Author
Published: 2023-05-11T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Roderick

Roderick rode rough and careless, but a flash of color that did not belong in the autumn landscape caught his eye. Pulling back on the reins, Rodrick slowed his horse.

He patted the stallion’s neck. “Whoa. Good boy.”

His conscience pricked him over the foam bubbling from his horse’s mouth and the heaving of its sides. The horse pranced sideways as Rodrick relaxed his grip and squinted. A woman draped in a cloak the shade of yellow daffodils and the blue/green color of young wheat stood poised under the large, fanned-out branch of an ancient-looking yew tree. Her hair was covered with an opaque, ivory fabric and crowned with a circlet of gold.

He advanced with caution. As he neared, she turned toward him, and it shocked him to see Lady Dellafield standing before him.

Her eyes widened, her mouth forming an O.

She dipped her head and curtsied. “Your Majesty. I…I was not expecting you.”

“Nor I you,” Roderick responded.

He had not thought he had ridden out so far and so near the Dellafield lands. She glided toward him, her eyes not leaving his. Roderick swallowed, his mouth suddenly dry. They should not be meeting like this. Concern over who might see them together prickled the skin on the back of his neck. He looked around but saw no one accompanying her.

She recovered from her surprise and held out a hand to him. “Now that you are here, will you walk with me, Your Majesty?”

Roderick slipped off his horse and tied the reins to a branch.

He took her hand briefly, inclining his head to her. “It would be my pleasure.”

Perhaps he did not need to wait until the appointed time that Digby would arrange to reveal his plan to her. After all, she did seem more than comfortable in his presence. But would she welcome his attention when he declared his proposition?

Roderick fell in step next to her. “What brings you out this far by yourself?”

Lady Dellafield’s slim hand brushed the tall grass heads, mostly gone to seed. “It is not uncommon for me. I like to be alone and free to fill my days as I please, rather than bend to my brother’s whims.”

Again, Roderick recognized her discontent with her sibling. That just might give him favor with her.

“Your brother…he is a demanding man?”

Lady Dellafield raised her shoulders. “I would not call him such, exactly. But he has been more like a parent to me than a brother, and I suppose I don’t blame him.”

Roderick glanced at her, but she did not look his way. “Yes, I recall you telling me about your parents.”

Her voice took on a firm edge. “He has a future mapped out for me which I do not wish for.” Her head jerked, and she stopped walking. “I am sorry. I have perhaps said too much.”

Rodrick stayed near her and shook his head. “Nonsense. All of us deserve to be happy.” He had to ask. “And what would make you happy? What future would you make for yourself if you could?”

“It is too late for such things.

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