“I have an education,” Annabelle shot back quickly. “I will be able to get work doing something. Plus, if we leave the city no one will know who I am, I can let people believe that I am simply down on my luck. It will not be an issue forus.”
Floyd nodded slowly, it seemed that Annabelle had thought about this more than he first assumed. He could not truly believe it, this woman, this beautiful Lady would happily give up everything that she had forhim.
“I am afraid that you will regret this,” he told her sadly. “I would love to do this but I amscared.”
“This is not just because of you,” Annabelle insisted. “This is also because I cannot marry Lord Ashdown. I do not want to even be in the same room as him, never mind his wife.” She shuddered violently, proving her point. “I want to leave, whether you come with me ornot.”
“Oh, I see.” Floyd’s breath got caught in the back of his throat. “You are a very brave woman, that is something to be veryrespected.”
“Thank you very much,” Annabelle smiled while kissing Floyd softly once more. “I am glad to hear that. I am also glad to hear that you will come with me when Ileave.”
“I have not yet said that...” Floyd said after Annabelle as she turned to walk away. His heart thundered in his chest, he was nowhere near making a decision on what was the right thing todo.
“I know that, but you will.” Annabelle was filled with confidence now that she understood Floyd’s issues. “You do not wish me to leave alone, do you? You wish to be with me. As soon as you recover from your fear you will see that this is right.” She turned to face him quickly once more with a stunning, heart lifting smile on her face. “I will come for you soon, once I have the carriage organised. You must be ready for thattime.”
With that, she swept away with her red hair flowing out behind her, leaving Floyd bewildered. She truly was something else, he knew that from the first moment that he laid eyes upon her. He recognized her adventurous spirit, he could see that she was a caged bird wanting to be set free. He did not see her fitting into the life that was laid out in front of her, but he never expected this tohappen.
I knew that you would be trouble, Lady Annabelle Hathaway,he thought to himself with a secret smile.I just did not know howmuch.
To keep himself distracted, Floyd picked up the broom and he continued to sweep out the stables, but the idea of running away never quite left his mind. How could it? How could he truly think about anythingelse?
“What should I do, Primrose?” he muttered quietly, like a mad man talking to the horse. “Should I go? Should I leave with Annabelle and live a crazy, unexpected life, or should I do the smart thing and wait until I have my own ridingstables?”
He glanced towards Primrose, as if he actually expected to get an answer. Of course, he got nothing back, he knew that he would not. It was the first moment that he truly wished he had someone to discuss such things with, a friend or an understanding family member, but he already knew what anyone would say even if he did have someone to speak to. Anyone would warn him to keep away, they would warn him that this situation could only lead to trouble. There was never anything good that could come out of running away with aLady.
So why was there such a strong temptation coursing away inside of him? Why did he feel like he really wanted this? For the first time in his life, Floyd Brewer could feel himself leaning towards the wrongthing.
“I do not know, Primrose.” He shook his head to himself. “I do not know what I am doing. Am I acting like a crazy person? Maybe I should pack a bag, just in case.” He turned his head and stared into the eyes of the gentle giant that had been his closest friend for far too long. “I do not want to leave you, Primrose, I never have, but this is the first time I do not know if I have achoice.”
The idea of leaving everyone and everything behind scared him. Floyd needed to find his own adventurous spirit if this was going to work. Maybe Annabelle would change her mind, maybe his speech about needing to do things in the right way would make her see that there were lots of other things to consider, but if not... well, she was right about one thing. He did not want her to leavealone.
