Part 30 (1/2)
”Happy birthday, Thalia.”
But just as quickly as it had come, her pleasure faded. ”Leo, thank you, but no. Take her back.”
”Remember your promise.”
”I didn't think you meant to give me a horse. She's far too dear, and I-” She drew him away, lowering her voice so the servant couldn't overhear. ”I cannot afford her. The carriage horse I keep is an indulgence already. A riding horse, especially one as exceptional as this, it is beyond my means. Please, do not tempt me.”
”There is no temptation. I shall bear all the cost of her upkeep.”
Her mouth firmed. ”No. Now have your man return her to the mews at Cavendish Square.”
She is so stubborn, he thought. But I am more stubborn.
If Thalia would not accept the horse outright, then he would find a less straightforward way to convince her.
”You mistake the matter,” he explained, as if that had been his plan all along. ”I am not giving her to you permanently. Think of her as a loan.”
”What?”
”My little sister, Esme, will be making her debut this spring and she'll need a good horse for Town. I thought you could ride Athena for the time being. Keep her trained and well exercised.”
”A groom could do those things.”
”Yes, but I want Athena accustomed to a sidesaddle and the feel of a woman's lighter weight and touch. One of my men cannot do that.”
Thalia's pretty brows drew close as she considered his words. ”I suppose not. Even so-”
”You would be doing a favor, not only for me, but for my sister. Come spring, I am sure Esme will have nothing but praise for your excellent care and training of her new mount. You are an exceptional rider and can make sure the mare is properly gentled. Please, Thalia. Do not make me disappoint my sister.”
She frowned harder, then turned her gaze on the mare again. Her features softened, longing plain in her luminous brown eyes.
”It will just be temporary,” she repeated. ”Only until spring.”
He smiled. ”Esme will be exceedingly grateful. And do not worry-I will provide for all of Athena's care.”
But Thalia wasn't paying attention any longer. Walking slowly forward, she reached out a careful hand and stroked the horse's neck.
Athena whickered softly, puffing out a gentle breath through her velvety nostrils.
”Oh, she's a love,” Thalia said with a delighted sigh. ”She's got spirit, but she'll be no trouble at all. Will you, girl?”
She patted her again and the horse tossed her head as if agreeing.
Thalia laughed, a wide smile on her rosy lips.
As it had once before, Leo's chest swelled with emotion as he watched her. He drank in her beauty, not just its outward manifestation, but the radiance of the soul he knew lay underneath.
Each day he came to know her a little better.
Every day he wanted to know more, be with her more.
Would a time ever come when he wanted that to stop? Right now, he couldn't imagine it.
Somehow he didn't think he would ever be able to imagine it.
He cleared his throat. ”If it weren't for this weather, I would suggest we ride out now. How about tomorrow morning instead?”
She nodded, still stroking a palm over Athena's red-brown neck and shoulders. ”Tomorrow morning sounds excellent.”
”In the meantime, why don't we go inside and you can try on your new gowns?” He leaned closer so only Thalia could hear. ”Then afterward, I can enjoy taking them off of you again.”
Her eyes grew dark with sudden desire.
After giving the horse a final farewell pat and receiving a promise from the groom that the mare would get an extra scoop of oats in that night's feed, she let Leo slide his arm around her waist.
Huddled together under the umbrella, they hurried through the rain and back inside the house.
Many hours later, darkness having long since fallen, Thalia lay in bed, warm and replete inside Leo's arms, her head cus.h.i.+oned on his shoulder.
She skimmed her fingers in a lazy arc over his chest, then slowly leaned up to kiss him. ”Thank you,” she murmured.
”Considering the evening we've had, I should be the one thanking you.” He ran a hand across her naked back, then lower to lightly cup her bottom. ”But somehow I get the feeling you mean something else.”
”What I mean is thank you for today. Thank you for giving me the best birthday I've ever had.”
He arched a dark gold brow. ”Ever?”
”Yes, ever.”
”Not even as a child?”
She shook her head. ”Any parties we had were always far more about my mother than me. One year she didn't even invite any children. Just her friends. As I recall, I spent most of the day alone in the nursery with a book and was glad of it.”
”How old were you?”
”Seven, I think.”
”That's awful.”
”Oh, it wasn't so bad.” She shrugged. ”My parents were often self-involved and thoughtless, but they could be kind as well. I never wanted for anything, not really. And it wasn't as if they did anything so very dreadful. It's not as if they beat me.”
”I should think not,” he said, his words gruff as if he couldn't even conceive of such an idea.
She looked away, repressing the sudden urge to s.h.i.+ver as other, darker memories came upon her. But just as quickly, she pushed them aside. She wasn't going to let anything ruin these moments with Leo, certainly not the past.
”I just wanted you to know,” she said, gazing deeply into his eyes, ”wanted to thank you for giving me this one, absolutely perfect day.”