She felt nervous and excited to the point she could barely breathe, hoping that all would go well and she could live her dream – the old one that entailed her reuniting with her sisters and the new, Silas. It was thrilling to think that in just a few hours, she would be his Duchess and wife, blessed to spend a lifetime with him.
It really felt like a dream, and yet, it wasn’t.
“Agnes? Oh, there you are.”
She sat up instantly at the sound of her name, blushing when her dream literally walked in.
“Silas! Um… hello?”
He blinked at her, taken aback by her greeting but clearly enamored by her odd behavior, enough to smile at her.
“Hello, sweetheart. Are you all right?”
The term of endearment sent heat pooling around her insides, and she blushed furiously.
“Oh, yes! Just…” she fanned at her cheeks, hoping to relieve some of the lightheadedness she felt. “… bored.”
“Ah,” realization dawned on his handsome face. “I am sorry to hear that. But it seems that things are in my favor as I’ve just come to invite you for a ride. To that lake, we visited two weeks ago. The weather is quite nice today, and we could have a picnic under that oak tree. If you’d like.”
She stared at him, surprised by the thoughtfulness and somewhat… bashful look he had as he made the offer to her. Her heart melted once again, and she rose to her feet.
“You had me at a ride. When do we leave?”
He laughed brightly, “Now? If you want?”
She nodded seriously, taking his hand and leading him out of the library, only to stop at the realization that she wasn’t dressed to go out riding.
“Forget it,” she mumbled, continuing walking. “I have ridden a horse in worse.”
“Define worse,” he teased.
She pretended to consider it and smirked at him.
“Let’s just say I was supposed to be at a ball, and instead, I was in a field with a horse.”
He laughed, and she fell in love with him again, smitten by the sight of him looking joyous.
“Somehow, that does not surprise me one bit,” Silas told her, still letting her lead the way to the stables.
Simon was happy to see them, ready with saddles by his side to put on whichever horse they chose to ride.
“Which noble steed would you prefer today, my lady?” Silas asked, bowing slightly and raising her hand to his lips.
Her eyes darted around the stable in thought, but she had already made up her mind.
“Would it be all right if I rode Scar? If he is up for it? And if you do not mind? If you would prefer to ride him –”
“Agnes, it is all right. He looks like he’s been aching to get back to running around. And,” he stepped closer to her and leaned in to whisper, his breath hot against her neck as he spoke. “He is as much your horse as he is mine, now.”
She stared up at him in surprise. “R-Really?”
He smiled and pressed a kiss to her cheek before standing upright.
“Really.”
Simon saddled Scar for Agnes while Silas decided to ride Outlaw, the stallion she had ridden the last time they rode together. When they had mounted their horses, Agnes proposed a race to the lake.
“You suggesting that does not surprise me in the slightest. Fine, I’ll bite. What does the winner get?” Silas questioned as their horses walked out of the stables.