Chapter 13

W hen Aaron asked her to go riding, she nearly fell to the floor. Fainting was not an option. Not if she was to get out of the muddle she'd somehow gotten herself in.

She hurried up the stairs and stood staring at the few clothes she'd brought with her, when there was a knock on the door.

"Rebekah. It's Serena. May I come in?"

Rebekah hurried over to open the chamber door. "Of course. Please, come in."

"I have something for you." She turned to a footman Rebekah didn't know was there."

"Would you bring that in, please?

The footman hefted a trunk through the open doorway.

"What is that?"

"While you are here, I thought I'd loan you a few of my things. Actually, you can keep them, but I think you have this independent streak, so I'll use the term loan." She followed the footman to the bed. "Place it over there."

He carried the trunk to the corner.

"That will be all. Thank you."

Rebekah was still staring at the trunk when the footman walked back to the hallway. Her instincts must have kicked in because she automatically closed the door.

"Come, Rebekah." Serena opened the lid, then reached in and drew out a lump of material. When she shook it free, Rebekah swallowed the lump in her throat. It was one of the prettiest dresses she'd ever seen.

"You and Aaron had your discussion last evening, and you didn't scurry away. We are hoping you will stay. I'm sure Aaron or Aunt will plan a trip to the dressmaker for a complete trousseau. But for now, I brought a few things I thought you might need until then."

"Wait. You're going too fast."

Serena stopped, placing her hands on her hips. "Are you staying?"

Rebekah chewed on her bottom lip. "I …I guess, for a while." She hadn't really decided yet.

"Good. As I said, you will be needing some things. I hope you don't mind they belong to me. But I haven't worn them, so they are like new. Nathaniel spoils me terribly, and Aunt insisted on me getting everything. I'm sure she will be the same with you."

"I don't need any clothes."

"I said the same thing. Did they listen? No." She pulled another item out of the chest. "With your coloring, this will look beautiful on you." She held up a blue riding habit.

Rebekah had never owned one, but she knew what it was.

"It is beautiful," she said, as she brushed the fabric. "And soft."

"Here, you must try it on. I feel we are about the same size."

"You are obviously bigger in the chest area."

Serena waved a hand. "Don't worry about that. It has buttons, see?"

Rebekah took the clothing and placed it on the bed. It was almost too nice to wear horse-back riding.

"Do you like pink? I detest bright pink. I love lavender." She held up another gown. "This is a duller shade of pink. Mauve, I believe. I think this would look nice on you."

Rebekah leaned over to look in the trunk. "How many do you have in there? Did you save some gowns for yourself?"

Serena laughed. "Rebekah, I have closets full of gowns, and dressers full of under things." She dug deeper to the bottom. "I brought some of those too. Just in case."

A lump formed in Rebekah's chest at Serena's kindness. "It would seem you've thought of everything. Thank you."

"You're welcome. All we need to do is shake them out and hang them. Do you have a personal maid yet?"

"Heavens no. I'm used to doing things for myself."

Serena laughed again. "So was I. Having servants to do things for me took some getting used to, but it's their job. You'll find that most servants like doing their job, and will be insulted if you don't let them." She leaned close. "So let them."

"I've never seen anyone with servants until I came to Greystoke Manor."

"A maid will take care of the clothes."

A timid knock vibrated on the chamber door. "Miss Hayes. Master Greystoke said to tell ya he be waiting down at the stables."

"Thank you."

"What perfect timing. You must wear the blue riding-habit. Since you don't have a maid, I will help you get ready."

In less than half an hour, Rebekah practically ran to meet Aaron at the stables. Two horses were saddled and waiting.

"Ah, Rebekah. I've chosen Gilda for you, and let me say before you ask, that was her name when I purchased her. Since she has been around for ten years, I saw no need to change her name. The mare seems tame enough. I didn't ask if you can sit a horse."

"Yes. I helped our neighbor care for his horses, and he often let me ride. I did not use a side saddle."

Aaron called the groomsman. "My lady requires a regular saddle. Take Gilda and change the saddle." He turned to Rebekah. "Do you ride well."

"I rode often. I'm not sure how well. But I never fell off."

"Good Lord, I hope not."

A few moments later, the groomsman led Gilda back outside. Aaron helped Rebekah to mount. Gilda stood steady, and the saddle felt comfortable.

"All right?" Aaron asked.

She gave him a nod and took the reins. "What is the name of your horse?"

"This one is James. I have several and ride them all. I've never cared about fancy names, so I think of them as my colleagues. Simple names are the best." He nudged his horse in a walk, so Rebekah did the same.

Gilda was easy to handle. When they came to the tree line, Aaron kept the horses at a walk.

"There's a nice glade over there," he said as he pointed. "I thought that would be a good place to rest. And we can talk in private."

She thought they had already talked. Of course, she didn't tell him she accepted his marriage proposal, if that's what one wanted to call it. Being told she had to marry to avoid scandal was as close as she would most likely get.

They rode silently until they came to a large field with tall grass. To one side, the ground sloped down to a small stream. The spot was ideal for a romantic interlude. Rebekah was sure Aaron had nothing of the sort on his mind.

Aaron reached up to help her down, and her breath caught. Just imagining his hands on her person stirred all kinds of whirling sensations. His hands burned at her waist, and then they were gone. No lingering touch. He couldn't move away fast enough.

"I've brought a blanket for the ground, so you won't get your clothes dirty. "He strode back to his horse, gathered the blanket and what looked to be a basket. "Cook wouldn't let me leave the house without food." She helped him spread the blanket and he sat the basket right in the middle. The gesture was clear, putting a halt on any fantasy one may have had for seduction.

She laughed at her thoughts, a small snicker slipping out.

Aaron arched a brow as he looked at her.

She quickly asked, "What's in the basket?"

"Bread, cheese, a bit of meat. And lemonade. Are you hungry?"

"Not at the moment, no."

"Would you care to sit?"

She thought of a smart remark, but kept it to herself. Aaron was making an attempt to be nice. She may as well, too.

He dropped down beside her, leaned back on one elbow, and crossed his boots at the ankles. The tinkling sound of the water rushing over the small rocks was surprisingly comforting. She sat with her feet to the side and reached for a wildflower at the blanket edge.

"You like flowers?"

She lifted her gaze to his. "I like nature. This is a beautiful spot." She looked at the purple wildflower in her hand and then noticed several across the grass. "This little guy has found a way to survive in the middle of a meadow. I have a flower garden at home. I like digging in the dirt with my hands. I suppose you have a gardener."

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do. Aunt likes flowers. He cuts a fresh batch for her three mornings a week. I think the old fellow likes her."

"That's nice. Has Penelope ever married?"

"No. She says training a husband is too much work. And she doesn't like anyone telling her what to do."

Rebekah smiled. She could believe that.

"Personally, I think she was too worried about us. She didn't get to visit often, courtesy of my father. He didn't want her around making us soft."

"You seemed to have turned out well enough."

"Do I hear a compliment in there?"

She thought for a moment, then replied, "And if you do?"

He shrugged. "I didn't think there was a part of you that would see me in a favorable light."

"Even though we disagree, it does not mean you have no good qualities. Besides, if I am to consider marrying you, you would have to display something that would appeal to me."

"Do I?"

Did he want her to tell him she found him attractive? Good Lord, she found him wildly handsome. He took her breath. She knew what it was like to be held in his arms. She wanted to be there again. But how could she develop a lasting relationship with a man who didn't want her?

"I think you are fishing for flattering remarks. Let's say I am considering your words from our conversation last night."

"I think it is for the best."

"Do you?"

He sat up. "I thought all women wanted a stable home and family?"

"So, you are prepared to give me a stable home? Sacrifice your own freedom?"

"It would not be that great of a detriment. Our lives would not change that much."

She gasped. "My life would change drastically. I would be the one sacrificing my freedom while you would go on your daily routine. I would leave my home, my father, any security I have to move to a strange house, and be with people I don't know."

"Do you plan to live with your father the rest of your life?"

Well, no. But she had thought she would marry for love.

"Ah, I see that look on your face."

"What look?"

"You want what every woman wants. Romance."

Why should she feel guilty about that?

"I assure you, Aaron, I don't need poetry or sonnets or music. However, I do think it would be nice for two people to be in love when they marry."

Devil take him.

Aaron supposed every woman was a blasted romantic. "You do realize those marriages are very few. Practically all marriages are arranged. The groom or the bride gains wealth, land … a number of things."

"I'm not used to nobility or its traditions. Mama and Papa loved each other. I was raised in a home with love. I can't imagine two people living together every day with nothing between them. I wouldn't know how to talk, or how to act."

Aaron had been quite happy as an eligible bachelor—as eligible as one could be. He had no desire to turn a woman up sweet. Even less desire to attach one to his hip, permanently. The Greystoke name had been on everyone's lips enough of late. Nathaniel and Serena were settled in at Greystoke Manor. Edmund and Joyanna were together again. Hopefully, with Bellingham in the wind, he would not bother them in the near future. Aunt needed a reprise from the brothers causing disruption.

Miss Hayes needed a man to take her in hand. Since his name was on the blasted contract, he would be the one to tackle the job. Ever since her father had sent that bloody letter to Greystoke, Aaron had been on edge.

What else could he do?

"Miss Hayes. There are couples that learn to love each other. But even if they don't, marriages succeed. Two people can co-exist amiably, I'm sure." Was he trying to convince her or himself?

What was he to do, send her back to the sorry life she'd been living? Who knew what her father might do next.

He'd been so busy going along with the idea, he hadn't stopped long enough to consider the marriage would be permanent. A wife–someone depending on him, forever. That was no hardship, he had the blunt. Servants would take care of her demands. She wouldn't have to be underfoot, unless he permitted it.

Forever? It didn't have to be.

"Rebekah, let's make an agreement."

"A pact?"

"If you so choose," he replied with a shrug. "Let's put this jumble to rest, once and for all. We will marry. After a period of time of your choosing, if you want out, all you need to do is tell me."

"You would give me my freedom?"

"If that is what you wished, of course."

Would he? He shook his head. No need to consider the chickens before the eggs hatched. He convinced himself he was doing what was necessary."

"What do you want, Rebekah?"

It drove him crazy when she chewed on her lip like that.

"I know you feel this wedding is being forced on you. I won't force you to do anything you don't want to do. But Aunt feels we should be married sooner rather than later. I feel the same way."

"How sooner?"

"Immediately. That doesn't mean we cannot have a proper wedding in a church. I just don't think there will be a large guest list. After all, we are doing this to avoid gossip."