Read Online Louise M. Gouge by A Proper Companion - Free Book Online Page A

could he envision working for hours with the lovely Miss Newfield without coming to admire her entirely too much.
    * * *
    Anna endeavored not to tremble as she descended the wide front staircase. The Lord had not answered her prayers as she wished. Nor had He given her peace about the upcoming trial. But scripture said He would never leave her nor forsake her. Anna could cling to that promise far more easily than she would be able to cling to a saddle. If an injury was in her future, so be it. She would try to bear it as bravely as Major Grenville bore his wounds.
    When she reached the bottom of the steps she inhaled a deep breath and blew it out, then squared her shoulders and walked through the wide front door held open by the liveried footman. A cold breeze smacked her face, bringing with it the strong smell of horseflesh. Against her lingering hopes, the major stood talking with another man, most likely the groom, for he held the reins of a brown horse. The creature eyed Anna with a look of boredom. Or was that a challenge in those large black eyes?
    Still using his cane, Major Grenville stepped over to greet her. “Good morning, Miss Newfield.” He took her hand but offered no smile, which only added to her trepidation…and disappointment. “Ah, you’re trembling,” he whispered. “Don’t be frightened. She’s the gentlest horse in my brother’s stable.”
    A nervous laugh bubbled out before Anna could stop it. “Oh, doubtless, she is.” But she could not keep doubt from her voice.
    He pulled her around in front of him, gripped her upper arms and captured her gaze. “Miss Newfield, you may count on me.” The firm, warm touch of his hands set her heart to fluttering uncontrollably. “I will not allow you to be harmed.” The intensity in his eyes held the gentle rebuke of a friend, and his masculine presence nearly took her breath away.
    She swallowed and looked down, struggling to regain some semblance of dignity. “I thank you, Major Grenville.” Her eyes stung, but she forbade tears to fall. “You have shown me nothing but kindness. I do trust you.” She inhaled yet another bracing breath and looked up at him again, this time with a teasing smile. “Shall we begin? After all, what’s the worst that can happen?”
    Releasing his grip on her arms, he stepped back and chuckled, then laughed out loud, a most welcome sound. “Your brother told me about your family’s game. But let’s not play it, at least not today.” He took her elbow and led her to the horse’s head. “Miss Newfield, may I present Bella.” He ran a hand down the creature’s nose. “Bella, this is Miss Newfield,” he murmured as he took Anna’s gloved hand and guided it down the creature’s nose. “Unlike poor Miss Peel, she is not the least bit nervous.”
    “You should not lie to her.” Anna’s voice wavered, but whether it was from the touch of the major’s hand on hers or his deep, soothing tone, she could not tell.
    Again he chuckled, and a shiver, not at all displeasing, swept over her. She mentally shook it off. Why should this man’s presence have such a disconcerting effect on her? Why did his smiles mean so much to her? She must dismiss all these thoughts, including her sympathies for Lady Greystone’s late companion, and remember Peter’s fearless determination to ride so he could become a dragoon.
    Setting aside his cane, Major Grenville gripped Anna at the waist and lifted her into the saddle. With every care for propriety’s sake, he settled her left shoe into the stirrup and helped her drape her right knee over the pommel. Pressing her foot into the stirrup, she rose slightly to adjust her seating, and the saddle dipped on that side. Anna dropped back with a gasp.
    “It’s all right,” the major said. “The girth is firmly cinched. It won’t slip.” He gave her a reassuring smile such as one might give a child, then nodded to the groom.
    The man clicked his tongue and tugged on the bridle. Bella