Thomas pulled on the reins and the horse backed up and executed a full turn as Thomas tried to keep the horse from moving forward.
“Might I offer you a ride to Springford, Miss Jenny? It is no night to be out on foot.”
Now Jenny was totally in turmoil. She could not help but remember his last words to her and the searing pain he had caused her. But she was also shivering, and it seemed that a snowstorm might be approaching as she saw the first few flakes drifting down around her.
“But you have just come from there, Your Grace. I do not wish to take you out of your way. It is also no night foryouto be out.” Jenny said weakly.
“I am more than happy to accommodate you, Miss Jenny. In fact, I had a further thought I wanted to share with George, who is with Miss Helena as we speak.”
“Very well then, if it will serve you as well, then I accept.”
Thomas extended his hand, grabbed hold of Jenny’s hand, and with a single tug, pulled her up onto the horse behind him. The parcel for Helena had a loop so Jenny slipped it over her hand, so she could carry it and take hold of Thomas’s waist.
“Are you comfortable and secure?” he asked.
“Most comfortable and secure.”
Thomas put his spurs to the horse and they turned and headed toward Springford.
Evan’s letter was tucked into the pocket of her coat and she was aching to respond, but for the moment, it was forgotten as she rested her head against Thomas’s back and held on to him as tightly as if it were a lover’s embrace—but it was not. It could not be.
By the time they arrived at Springford, it was snowing substantially. Thomas dismounted first and put his hands around Jenny’s waist, picked her off the horse, and gently stood her on the ground.
Then he offered her his hand and said softly, “Come, before it gets any colder,” and they ran up to the front door and knocked.
They were ushered into a parlor where Helena and George were seated by the fire conversing.
“It has begun to snow, and it looks like it might be a major storm,” Thomas said. “And I ran across this young lady on her way to see you, Helena. Not certain she would have made it if I had not given her a ride.”
Helena stood. “Come, both of you, sit by the fire. Your faces are as red as Christmas decorations.” She turned to the butler and said, “I think we need tea for these two wayfarers.”
“Yes, Miss,” Benton said, as he took their coats. Rubbing their hands, the two went to stand in front of the fire, but only after Jenny had given Helena the parcel from her mother.
“What ever brings you out on a night like this?” Helena asked, as she went over and rubbed up and down Jenny’s arms to help warm her.
This was neither the time nor the place to tell Helena about the letter, so she said, “I wanted to tell you about Robert’s new job.” She turned to Thomas and asked. “How was his first day, Your Grace? Do you think our Robert has what it takes to be a jockey?”
Thomas smiled at her. “Yes, I believe so. He was on the horses this morning after some basic instruction, and it looked like the horse and rider were one. Of course, this was in the practice ring, and there was not any actual racing yet. The lad must have a good deal of training before he will be ready for that.”
George stood, “So it went well? I am so glad to hear that. I forgot to ask you about him when you were here earlier.”
“I am not surprised with all your wedding planning. I felt like an intruder when I was here earlier. It almost seemed like you had forgotten about our business, George.”
George laughed. “Not at all. It is all Helena’s fault, hounding me day and night about the wedding plans.”
Helena went over and gave him a playful swat on the arm. “George Edgerton, you are vile. You want this as much as I do.”
“Yes, dear,” he said dutifully.
Thomas suddenly got down to business. “George, if I might have a private word with you. I must get back to my guests before I become snowed in here.”
Jenny suddenly felt alarmed. What ifshegot snowed in here? What would happen at the bakery without her tomorrow morning?
“Who would have thought this morning, that there might be such a storm by this afternoon?” Thomas said. “The Ladies Alderman and the young Miss Cordelia mercifully arrived before this storm started brewing.”
Jenny winced inwardly at the mention of Lady Alderman. So, she is here. And no doubt she would soon be the new Duchess of Pemberton she could not help but think.
“But George, I fear if this is a large storm it will delay our work on the course and keep the horses in the stable for a while,” Thomas added.
