Jenny. Looking away, he strained to concentrate on the conversation.
“May I go riding tomorrow, Uncle David? I have not had an opportunity since my arrival, and the days have been so beautiful. I would love to explore Brentwood Plantation,” Jenny said.
“The British still scout Brentwood property. I am not sure it would be safe for you to ride alone. I am unable to stray far from the plantation at this time,” he said stealing a look at Deidre, then Andrew. “Andrew, would you escort Jenny?”
Startled, Andrew felt the heat rising from his neck to his face. He was grateful that others would not notice in the darkening evening.
“Yes, I would be happy to accompany you,” he said turning to the girl. The single dimple showed in the candlelight when she smiled at him causing the already simmering heat to intensify in his gut. He swallowed.
“Thank you, Andrew. I look forward to our outing,” she said.
“Mmmph,” he replied unable to connect any words.
• • •
As she watched the interaction between Andrew and Jenny, Emily hid a smile at her brother’s discomfort remembering the effect Jonathon’s words had on her early in their relationship. Thinking of Jonathon brought a pang of loneliness that grabbed at her heart. How she missed him. She remembered the ride they took to view Brentwood lands, and how it resulted in the consummation of the love they had tried to deny for so long. Those first moments in his arms were as vivid to her now as they had been at the time. How she longed to be in his arms at this moment, skin to skin, his touch, his lips covering her body. Desire mingled with sadness as she realized that more than physical distance separated them; the future of the colonies depended on the spirit of patriots like Jonathon to leave home and families to fight against an unjust rule. While Emily understood this in her mind, her heart felt no relief from its longing for him.
• • •
Andrew strode to the stables to prepare the horses for their ride. Neptune greeted him with a nicker and nuzzled his shoulder as Andrew presented the horse a handful of oats. He helped the groom saddle Neptune and Shadow, and was just running a final check when Jenny approached.
“Good day, Andrew. Thank you for offering to escort me on our ride today,” she said smiling, the single dimple launching darts through his heart.
“Good day, Jenny. We have a perfect May morning in which to ride,” he replied pulling his gaze from her to study the cloudless sky. Every one of his nerves was taut with awareness of her, every sense alive with longing.
She rewarded him with a full smile, her eyes gray against her burgundy riding suit. She patted Shadow’s neck and, removing her leather riding gloves, offered the horse some oats from her hand.
“You are a beauty, Shadow. Thank you for allowing me to ride you today,” she murmured against the horse’s muzzle.
Andrew helped her mount and was greeted with the soft scent of lilac. Unconsciously, he breathed deeper urging the scent into his being. When Jenny was settled into the saddle, he mounted Neptune and urged the horse into the drive. They cantered along the road, and Jenny’s expert horsemanship was evident immediately. Smiling a challenge at her, he broke into a gallop and she laughed and followed suit.
They flew through the countryside relishing the feel of the wind, savoring the beauty of a verdant May morning. Jenny kept pace with no trouble, and Andrew was impressed with her riding acumen. After a while Andrew slowed Neptune to a walk, and Jenny reigned in Shadow.
“Well, I do not know how much of the scenery I have observed, but I did enjoy that ride,” Jenny laughed. “I believe that was a test of skill, Andrew. How did I fare?”
Andrew laughed with her. “Quite well, Jenny. I sensed that you would have no problem even keeping up with Neptune.”
“Will there be other tests that I must prepare for, Andrew? What else do you wish to know about
“May I go riding tomorrow, Uncle David? I have not had an opportunity since my arrival, and the days have been so beautiful. I would love to explore Brentwood Plantation,” Jenny said.
“The British still scout Brentwood property. I am not sure it would be safe for you to ride alone. I am unable to stray far from the plantation at this time,” he said stealing a look at Deidre, then Andrew. “Andrew, would you escort Jenny?”
Startled, Andrew felt the heat rising from his neck to his face. He was grateful that others would not notice in the darkening evening.
“Yes, I would be happy to accompany you,” he said turning to the girl. The single dimple showed in the candlelight when she smiled at him causing the already simmering heat to intensify in his gut. He swallowed.
“Thank you, Andrew. I look forward to our outing,” she said.
“Mmmph,” he replied unable to connect any words.
• • •
As she watched the interaction between Andrew and Jenny, Emily hid a smile at her brother’s discomfort remembering the effect Jonathon’s words had on her early in their relationship. Thinking of Jonathon brought a pang of loneliness that grabbed at her heart. How she missed him. She remembered the ride they took to view Brentwood lands, and how it resulted in the consummation of the love they had tried to deny for so long. Those first moments in his arms were as vivid to her now as they had been at the time. How she longed to be in his arms at this moment, skin to skin, his touch, his lips covering her body. Desire mingled with sadness as she realized that more than physical distance separated them; the future of the colonies depended on the spirit of patriots like Jonathon to leave home and families to fight against an unjust rule. While Emily understood this in her mind, her heart felt no relief from its longing for him.
• • •
Andrew strode to the stables to prepare the horses for their ride. Neptune greeted him with a nicker and nuzzled his shoulder as Andrew presented the horse a handful of oats. He helped the groom saddle Neptune and Shadow, and was just running a final check when Jenny approached.
“Good day, Andrew. Thank you for offering to escort me on our ride today,” she said smiling, the single dimple launching darts through his heart.
“Good day, Jenny. We have a perfect May morning in which to ride,” he replied pulling his gaze from her to study the cloudless sky. Every one of his nerves was taut with awareness of her, every sense alive with longing.
She rewarded him with a full smile, her eyes gray against her burgundy riding suit. She patted Shadow’s neck and, removing her leather riding gloves, offered the horse some oats from her hand.
“You are a beauty, Shadow. Thank you for allowing me to ride you today,” she murmured against the horse’s muzzle.
Andrew helped her mount and was greeted with the soft scent of lilac. Unconsciously, he breathed deeper urging the scent into his being. When Jenny was settled into the saddle, he mounted Neptune and urged the horse into the drive. They cantered along the road, and Jenny’s expert horsemanship was evident immediately. Smiling a challenge at her, he broke into a gallop and she laughed and followed suit.
They flew through the countryside relishing the feel of the wind, savoring the beauty of a verdant May morning. Jenny kept pace with no trouble, and Andrew was impressed with her riding acumen. After a while Andrew slowed Neptune to a walk, and Jenny reigned in Shadow.
“Well, I do not know how much of the scenery I have observed, but I did enjoy that ride,” Jenny laughed. “I believe that was a test of skill, Andrew. How did I fare?”
Andrew laughed with her. “Quite well, Jenny. I sensed that you would have no problem even keeping up with Neptune.”
“Will there be other tests that I must prepare for, Andrew? What else do you wish to know about
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