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She stared at hi "You don’t behave as though it’s wonderful"

"They want me to come home"

She studied hio They’re your faers played with the spoon beside his plate "It’s not easy Being around the in, doubtlessly h she understood She didn’t She couldn’t Her gaze resuhtly tracing the rile nod, she continued, "You should go"

His jaw locked Resentht He should go But that did not change the fact that he did not wish to return hoet Would there be that air of guilt swirling around them simply because he was there? The birth of their son was likely the happiest moment of their lives He did not want to cast his shadow over it

He rose, dropping his napkin on the table "I have no place there anyh he expected an argument from her

She tilted her head back to look up at him as he hovered over the table "Then stay here" She uttered the words so siment

He nodded briskly "Indeed I’ll meet you in the foyer in an hour Do you ride?"

She nodded, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear "Passably"

"Then we shall improve on that No individual can be truly independent with mere passable skills in the saddle"

Her eyebrows arched over those expressive eyes of hers "I should become a more than passable rider, then" A s bluehabit"

"I will Thank you"

With a slight bow, he departed the dining rooaze on his back Even though there had been no hint of judghamshire, he felt her disappointment just the same For some reason, it ood opinion signified

He wasn’t even to the doors of his study yet when a sharp expletive burst froly ahead of him The truth stared back

There would be no ride thishe had a nephew? A new life hoet had a son And despite the distance he felt yawning between them, both literally and ht he should be there, too

Like it or not, thaton his heel, heroom, his movements stiff and mechanical He arrived at the narrow double doors just as Anna e into her

"Oh" Her hand fluttered to her throat "Did you forget soed ed your "

Her expression fell "Oh I see"

No She didn’t

She lowered her gaze, avoiding looking at him She was disappointed He needn’t see her eyes to know this He felt her disappoint off her in waves It dawned on hiain even if he was following her advice And although the reason would be understandable, he had no wish to do so again How could he even be assured she would be here when he returned? A jolt of discoh hiested it was time for her to take her leave?

Before he could consider his next words, he heard his"

Her head shot up, her brown eyes suddenly bright "Are we going soha the shock he felt at his announcement "You wish to take me home with you?"

He winced When she uttered it like that, he regretted ever saying such a thing Itthey were not So his doubts "I can ith you there just as well as here Perhaps better" He shrugged one shoulder "I can instruct you in fireare is useful And that instruction is better suited for the country"

She looked elated Like a child awarded a toy "I shall pack It won’t take long"

He surveyed her ill-fitting gown Indeed Her wardrobe was limited--a matter he still needed to correct, but there was no ti to the letter, if they hurried they

She sped past hiait somewhat lopsided in her haste

"Easy," he called after her "Injuring yourself all over again will only slow us down"

She shot hilance over her shoulder, but slowed her steps

He watched her take the stairs As she disappeared froht, he noticed that a smile shaped his