"Humph. Try riding Missy the mare a bit more if you find the need for exercise."
Both sisters giggled good-naturedly.
"Do you ride, Miss Hawkesworth?"
"Does she indeed!" Clifford laughed, relinquishing his male companions to rejoin them. "You must have a very poor memory, Emma, if you cannot recall our young centaur here."
Vanessa blushed at the compliment.
"She's undoubtedly the finest rider I have ever seen, male or female. She doesn't know I saw her, but I once came across her in the woods near Stone Court doing the most remarkable tricks riding without so much as a saddle."
"Really, is this true?" Henry asked, wide-eyed with admiration. "I should very much like to see that."
"Oh, I have not indulged in years," she lied.
"What a pity. You obviously loved it so much," Clifford said.
"Well, things got busy once I went to my aunt's. She liked to have me about her in the house, not gadding off until all hours of the day and night."
"So you really love the countryside?" Clifford asked quietly.
She met his warm gaze. "I think I feel most at home outdoors, or on the back of a horse. Not that I don't love studying and domestic pursuits, but riding gives me a wonderful sensation of freedom."
Clifford nodded. "I love the outdoors as well. Every time I attended a ball, I can feel the walls closing in on me."
"Yes, a wonderful way to put it. I feel exactly the same." She smiled up and him, and their gazes devoured each other.
For a moment the other people in the arbor fell away for Vanessa; it was as if she and Clifford were completely alone.
Clifford broke the lengthy silence by saying, "If you would like to start practicing your riding again whenever you are feeling better, I would be delighted to accompany you, Miss Hawkesworth."
"It is very kind of you to offer, but I would feel terribly guilty if you did so. I have already taken up so much of your valuable time, Mr. Stone. Time you could be spending at your estate."
"Our steward can manage without myself and Henry, believe me," he said airily. "He is a most excellent man."
"I am sure he can, but you have all been more than kind and attentive."
"And will continue to be so until the doctor tells us you are well. And thereafter, of course, since you're part of the family now." He bowed over her hand politely, but the warm pressure of his fingers gave her a second, more intimate message.
She blushed at Clifford's words and the sensual contact.
Family. When she had been small, the word had filled her with dread. Now, upon his lips, it sounded like the answer to all her prayers.
"Yes, you're part of the family now," Henry seconded, seeing her looking so uncomfortable.
"As shall I be soon, once we wed, darling, and by extension, Emma," Josephine supplied cheerily.
Henry kissed his fiancee's hand warmly, and there was no mistaking their intense regard for one another.
"We may not be able to choose our family, but we can choose our friends," said Malcolm, with a smile, as he took his sister's hand and put it in the crook of his arm. "I'm proud to have you as a new friend, Miss Hawkesworth, and hope you will grow as close to myself and my sister as Clifford and Henry have. The Stone family supported me when my family nearly lost everything several years ago. It was dashed low water with us all. They were one of the few families who stood by us in our time of need. The Stones, and of course the Jeromes," he said with a smile for each of the two sisters. "I'm more than grateful. I look upon you all as family."
Vanessa caught a look of decided disappointment cross Emma's features. If her own feelings were anything to judge by, perhaps Malcolm might also be able to see Emma in a whole new light if given a chance.
"My goodness, what a touching moment. But now, if you don't mind, the wind is growing rather sharp, and I for one could do with a cup of tea," Clifford said cheerfully, trying to dispel the somber mood which had overtaken the party.
Malcolm offered Vanessa his arm, and his sister took her other side firmly. Once again Vanessa was thwarted in her desire to get closer to Clifford. But there would be plenty of time for that later, she told herself. She would have to convalesce for at least a few more days.
Clifford had assured her that if she did not want to remain at Dr. Gold's, he would arrange for her to stay at either the Jeromes or the Bransons as a guest prior to their wedding, so long as she was not left alone and weak at Hawkesworth House.
But there could be no wedding if Vanessa were not sure in her own mind. She felt as if she were growing more and more certain, but perhaps her feelings of attraction to Clifford were misleading her? Nor would there be any marriage for her unless the solicitors approved of her choice, and were willing to make the appropriate settlements on her behalf. She knew marriage settlements could take quiet some time to sort out to the satisfaction of all parties.