A Necessary Bride by Debra Mullins

Author:Debra Mullins
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: 0
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Emily scrambled over the hay to where Anne sat and reached out to scratch the tiny cat behind its ears. It immediately stopped mewing and arched its head toward her. Moments later, the cat’s little body began to vibrate as it started to purr.

Anne giggled. “His whole body is shaking from his purring. Keep scratching.”

“I will.” Emily stroked her hand down the animal’s back, pausing to scratch its haunches. The kitten raised its tail in the air, making both girls giggle. “I think I shall call him Lancelot.”

“To go with your Guinevere.” Anne sighed. “I wish Mama would let me have a more spirited horse to ride, but the only one she allows me to mount is old Dulcinea, who I have ridden since I was a baby. I don’t think Dulcinea even knows how to gallop.”

“Aren’t ladies supposed to know how to ride?” Emily asked.

“Of course, but only sidesaddle and at a sedate pace.” Anne made a face. “I often think that Mama wouldn’t even let me do that much if it weren’t a socially acceptable pastime.”

“I shall have you come visit at Rathmore Hall,” Emily said. “You can go riding there.”

Anne shook her head. “Even there, Mama would insist I be mounted on the oldest, gentlest nag available.”

“That’s all right,” Emily said. “We’ll ride out and when we’re away from the house, we’ll switch horses, and I’ll let you ride Guinevere. Cousin Justin doesn’t insist on coming with me if I bring a footman along.”

“You’d do that for me? You are indeed the best of friends!” Anne reached out to give Emily a one-armed hug, and the poor kitten let out a squeal of complaint as it was squished between their bodies. Giggling, the two girls parted, and Anne handed the cat to Emily. “Here you go. He’s yours now.”

“Mine,” Emily said with wonder. She scratched the kitten behind the ears again, sending the little feline into rapturous purring. “I don’t know how I shall get him home, though.”

“Don’t worry about that,” Anne said. “I shall have one of the footmen deliver him to your guardian’s estate. Is there someone in the stables who you can trust to watch out for him?”

“Peeves, our head groom. He’s known me since I was born.”

“Then tomorrow I shall send Lancelot to Rathmore Hall, care of Peeves the head groom.” Anne brushed at her hair. “Do I have straw everywhere?”

“I’m afraid so. Do I?”

Anne nodded. “We shall have to tidy up before we return to the house. Mama would send me to Scotland to live with my maiden aunts if she knew I was romping about in the hay.”

“I’ll straighten your hair, if you straighten mine,” Emily offered. “That way one of us can hold Lancelot.”

“Done. I’ll do yours first.”

Emily wiggled around until she sat with her back to Anne. The other girl slipped the willow-green ribbon from Emily’s hair and began to finger-comb the straw out of her curls.

With Anne straightening her appearance and her new pet cuddled in her arms, Emily was overtaken by a feeling of contentment such as she had never known.

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