“In the army, we were taught to handle situations like this if in the field. There is no stable master to help in the midst of a battle.” A strange kind of warmth crept over his chest as he watched her closely.
Any other young woman would have run to save her dress, and possibly even been angry, but Lily Prescott cared more for her horse than any expensive dress.
“Of course, you would have to know how to handle these kinds of things. And lucky for us all, you did.” She gave him a genuine smile, shaking her head in relief. “I will have to remember that if anything ever happens again.”
“Let us pray that it does not.” He leaned forward and plucked a stray piece of hay from her hair, not thinking anything of the gesture until her posture changed.
“Yes, let us hope it does not,” she said softly, her eyes searching his face with a veiled look of expectation as her lips drew apart with a single breath.
Moving forward, he allowed his fingers to run down the length of her hair, untangling some of the straw that had become lodged in her hair from the floor. He stared into her eyes, not knowing what to do, but also not wanting to back away.
Her chest rose and fell with every breath as her lips remained parted. Taking a step forward, she looked up into his eyes, her hands remaining at her sides as she tilted her head ever so slightly to the side.
“Julian!” His mother yelled as she came running into the stables with the rest of the party in tow.
Taking a step back, Julian quickly cleared his throat and turned to them all.
“What in Heaven’s name has happened?” Lily’s mother gasped as she came into view and caught sight of her daughter.
Turning toward them, Lily began to explain. “Ecclesia was choking, and Lord Barnard here saved the day.” She shrugged before smiling in his direction.
A warm look of understanding passed between them, and Julian felt as if he knew her just a little better. She was fiercely strong and independent, but also quiet, unassuming, and gentle when it came to the animal she loved.
“Is she…” Lady Brewster asked, stepping forward with a worried look in her eyes.
“She will live to ride another day,” Julian informed her. “I have already given your capable, stable hand instructions for her recovery. The young man needs commending, Lady Brewster. He knew when to call for help, and that is a trait that few possess.”
All heads turned to the young man who stood at the horse’s side with a blanket for her flanks.
Lady Brewster spoke first when the silence continued. “Thank you, young Timothy, is it not?”
Blushing slightly, the young man nodded. “It is, ma’am.”
“I shall see to it that our stable master learns of your heroic actions,” Lady Brewster commended him.
The rest of the group murmured in agreement before Lily’s mother turned to her with a scowl. “And you had better go and change before dinner. Your current state is not very appetizing at all.” She wrinkled her nose slightly as everyone else laughed.
***
The small group stood chattering away in the parlor as everyone waited for Lily to return from her much-needed bath and change of clothing. Ecclesia seemed to be doing well by the time Julian left the stables, and he was more than certain that she would make a full recovery in time.
“Ah, there she is now,” Lady Brewster announced as everyone’s heads turned toward the parlor doors.
Julian’s chest clenched as something beneath his ribs stirred almost painfully. If Lily had been beautiful in her light blue dress, she was even more breathtaking in her simple white satin gown with overhanging sleeves of lace. She looked like a princess fit to attend royal court with her hair braided over her shoulder and a few fresh flowers placed at the nape of her neck.
A blush spread over her cheeks as she looked at Julian and then the other. “I must apologize for my appearance. My maid did the best she could on such short notice.” She averted her gaze, looking down before demurely touching the long golden braid.
You are beautiful.
Julian thought the words but could not muster the courage to say them out loud. There was something utterly breathtaking about the simplicity of her appearance. It seemed so natural for her to have her hair in a loose braid rather than pinned to the back of her head.
“Shall we head through to dinner?” Lady Brewster asked, forcing Julian to snap out of his reverie.
Looking around, he suddenly became aware of the fact that his mother, sister, and even Lily’s mother were watching him closely with strange looks in their eyes. All of them seemed to have a look of curiosity, except Juliette, who smirked.
“That would be lovely, thank you, Lady Brewster.” His mother smiled, tearing her gaze away from Julian as she took her daughter’s arm and led Juliette to the dining room.
Lady Brewster seemed to linger behind as everyone left before offering Julian a warm smile. “I hope you will not mind that Lord Brewster will not be joining us this evening, my lord. You know how difficult it can be to balance numbers. I am afraid that you are outranked by us ladies this evening.” She placed her hand on his arm and allowed him to usher her from the room.