Chapter 9
Annabelle’s mother’sbetrayal made her even more determined to rebel against her parents’ wishes. If they could not see what a horrible man Lord Ashdown was, then that was their silly mistake. They were being fooled by a very manipulative man... but that did not mean he would ever become her husband. Somehow, she was going to have to find a way out of it, even if she did soalone.
It was problematic that she could not change their minds with ease, it made things much more challenging for her. While there was no instant solution to that, it made her want to act out in some small way, just for a moment of self-satisfaction. What she really wanted to do was explore the emotions that she had been forcing herself tosuppress.
If she failed in her mission to escape and she was about to be forced into a life of misery, then she wanted to at least have some fun memories to keep hergoing.
“Hello, Floyd,” she practically whispered to herself. “I would love to take you up on your offer... no, I would like to try horse riding... no, remember what you offered me the otherday?”
No, none of it sounded right. She did not know how she was going to form the question, but she needed to find a way somehow. She had tried to ignore her crush on Floyd, but now it felt like the perfect way to get something just for herself. Horse riding was the perfect way for her and Floyd to spend some very innocent one-on-one time together. No one needed to know, it was the boost of excitement that she so desperatelyneeded.
Determination flooded Annabelle as she walked through the gardens to see Floyd. Anger and excitement boosted her forwards, she almost forgot to be nervous at all, but the moment her eyes fell on his back, all of that caught up with her. The confidence that she had spent all morning building up completely zapped from her body, leaving her with nothing. She almost shook with anxiety as she tried to decide what to donext.
Oh my goodness, her panicked mind raced. What was I thinking? I need to get out ofhere...
But before she got the chance to even think about moving her legs, the prickle on the back of Floyd’s neck alerted him to her presence. It was as if he could feel her eyes uponhim.
“Oh, good morning, Lady Hathaway,” he said with surprise as turned around and spotted her. “You look radianttoday.”
What are you doing?He cursed himself angrily as his mouth ran away from him once more.You cannot speak that way to an upper-class Lady. Remember yourplace!
But in all honesty, Floyd had spent so much time daydreaming about the stunning red-haired beauty that accidentally captured his heart during their random meeting, that he felt like he knew her a lot better than he should. His imagination controlled his brain for just a moment and allowed him to forget all the society rules that surroundedthem.
For a split second, Floyd almost thought that they wereequal.
“Oh well, thank you.” Annabelle loved the compliment, it felt genuine and sweet. His kindness warmed up her heart and made her feel coy. “That is very kind of you tosay.”
Oh, thank goodness. She was not offended.Floyd blew out a relieved breath as Annabelle responded nicely to him. “You are starting to become a much more common presence in the gardens,” he smiled widely. “It islovely.”
“Actually, I am out here for a reason today.” Annabelle looked at her feet as she sucked in a few, calming breaths. This was much harder than she had anticipated. “I would love to try those riding lessons you talked about the otherday.”
“Ah!” Floyd’s whole expression lit up with excitement, he was hoping this would happen. “My very first customer, I would be honoured to helpyou.”
“Customer? What do you mean?” That word felt out of place in their conversation. Annabelle wondered what she hadmissed.
“One day, when I have earned enough money, I am going to open my own riding school,” Floyd announced with pride. It was a dream he had been working towards his entire life. “So, technically, you will be my very firstcustomer.”
His words completely shocked Annabelle. She was surprised to hear that he had such high reaching ambitions. She was not sure why, but she did not imagine anyone working for her family ever wanted anything more. It showed just how sheltered her existence had been. “That is amazing. I am veryimpressed.”
"Does it shock you?" Floyd could see right through Annabelle’s expression. She was totally blown away by his suggestion that he would be a riding teacher one day. “Are you surprised to learn that a mere stable boy hasdreams?”
“No, I just...” Annabelle wanted to defend herself, but when Floyd burst into laughter, she did too. It was nice not to have to worry too much about what she was saying. Floyd seemed to enjoy speaking with her whatever silly statements she made. “Yes, I suppose it does. Does that make me a terribleperson?”
“Not at all! I suppose most people in my position feel like they should live with what they have been given, but I am not like that. I have always wanted more formyself.”
“I am impressed.” Annabelle’s cheeks hurt from smiling so much. “It is wonderful for you to want to domore.”
“And what do you want to do with yourlife?”
Annabelle’s breaths became ragged and stressed. She had never been asked that question in her life. She did not even think she was allowed to have dreams. In a way, she had similar restrictions to Floyd, but in a very different way. “I am a Lady, I have to do what Ladiesdo.”
“What is that, exactly?” The lives of the upper-class had always baffled Floyd. He was such a busy person with a very active mind. He did not understand how rich people filled their time without growing bored. “What do Ladiesdo?”
“Hmph.” Annabelle looked away from Floyd, she felt too embarrassed to meet his eyes as she answered him. He had exciting ambitions, she had nothing but a bleak future stretched out in front of her. “I am supposed to marry a Lord and give him children.” Her whole body flamed hotly as she thought about getting pregnant. “Then I will be expected to attend boring society functions with boring society women for the rest of my days.” Even saying the words out loud made Annabelle’s heart sink. “We will all have to pretend to like one another, just because of our family names and our husbands’ connections. Whatfun!”
“I cannot see that.” Floyd leaned back on the fence behind him and examined Annabelle closely. “I cannot see that ofyou.”
“You do not think I have it in me to be nice?” Annabelle teased playfully. “Sometimes I doubt thatmyself.”
