Page 40 of Marriage with a Proper Stranger

Another roll of heat moved through her. Riding together on his horse? “Will he manage both of us?”

Riordan handed Goldie’s reins to Farmer Walsh. “Absolutely.” He lifted her up onto the saddle and gracefully mounted behind her. “Farmer Walsh, I will return shortly.”

The farmer touched his forelock. “Grayson will enjoy the extra exercise, sir.”

“That he will.” Riordan urged the gelding forward at a slow trot. In a low voice that only she could hear, he said, “And give me an opportunity to be close to you.”

Pleased at his words, she leaned against his chest and sighed contentedly. Riordan kissed the exposed area of her neck between her bonnet and the collar of her cloak. This continued for several moments, until a small girl’s voice broke through her dreamy thoughts.

“Mr. Black, Mr. Black!”

Sabrina sat upright, her gaze sliding toward the sound. A girl, probably no more than six or seven, stood on the path. She wore a shabby pinafore over a plaid dress, her golden blond hair pinned haphazardly, with several tendrils hanging loose, framing her pretty face. She clutched several pieces of paper. Her face lit up at the sight of Riordan. Goodness, he even charmed small children.

“My youngest student. One moment.” He slid off Grayson and strode toward the small girl, who immediately broke into a sprint, throwing herself at him. Riordan hunched down and held out his arms. The girl laughed with pure joy as Riordan gathered her into a warm hug and lifted her upward. The sight of Riordan with a small child tugged at her heart, making it ache with longing. Someday, once he was free from this situation, he would make a fine father.

“Momma told me you got married. I drew you pictures,” the girl cried.

“Did you? Does your momma know you’re here?”

The girl shook her head. “She’s asleep.”

“Annabelle, this is my wife, Mrs. Black. Say hello.”

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Black,” the girl answered in a singsong voice.

“Good afternoon, Annabelle.”

Riordan lowered the child. Annabelle held out the papers toward him, and he took them and studied them closely. “Well done. Is that me standing outside a church?”

Annabelle nodded vigorously as she chewed on the side of her finger. “Uh huh. And your wife. She’s holding flowers.”

“Pretty bluebells, or are they daisies? I will hang these pictures in my cottage, I promise. But we must get you home, Annabelle, before your mother starts to worry. Are you cold?”

“A little.” The child was wandering about in the late autumn air without a cloak. Riordan slipped out of his frock coat and gathered it around Annabelle, causing Sabrina’s heart to squeeze once again at his thoughtfulness.

Riordan helped Sabrina down from the saddle, then handed her the papers. “I’ll drop Annabelle off at her home before returning Grayson. She is a handful, slipping out while her mother naps. She has no siblings, and the father left years ago.” It explained much. The girl looked to Riordan as a father figure.

“Of course. I will ensure Mary has tea ready for your return.”

Riordan smiled as he trailed the back of his fingers down her cheek. “Thank you, Mrs. Black. The cottage is straight ahead over the small rise. You can’t miss it.”

Oh. She flushed at his touch, the warmth slowly spreading through her.

Riordan gathered the child and placed her on the saddle, then mounted. “Wave goodbye, Annabelle.”

The girl giggled and gave Sabrina an enthusiastic wave. Sabrina returned it and watched as they rode away. She opened the papers and inspected the first pencil drawing. The picture was crudely drawn, as only a young child could accomplish. Annabelle had drawn Riordan as a tall stick figure with a broad smile and a head of wavy hair, hand-in-hand with a female figure in a long gown who held flowers. A large sun shone over them, and the girl had drawn what looked to be a rainbow arching over their heads and beds of flowers at their feet.

Tears gathered in Sabrina’s eyes. The picture moved her, for it captured her mood since marrying Riordan. Sunshine, warmth, smiles, and happiness. It hit her hard. She wanted this. With Riordan. For the rest of her days. But it was a fairy tale, and no more real than a drawing with stick figures. A dream. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she hugged the picture against her chest and watched Riordan and Annabelle disappear through the trees.

She was falling for the schoolmaster and had no idea what to do about it.

Chapter 16

Heading toward Wollstonecraft Hall for the first-Monday-of-the-month family meeting, Riordan was apprehensive. Garrett must have kept his word and said nothing, because his father and grandfather did not descend on him in Carrbury, demanding an explanation for his actions. And they would have, if they’d known about his hasty marriage.

There was no meeting last month, as his father and grandfather had been busy with parliament. It struck him he hadn’t heard from Aidan since moving to Carrbury two months past. For all his brother’s excesses, they usually stayed in touch. He’d specifically asked his twin to correspond with him, but he’d received no word at all. Well, he would be at the meeting. Aidan wouldn’t dare ignore a summons from the earl.

As for his marriage…his thoughts drifted to the previous Sunday and the magical afternoon he and Sabrina had spent together. Any chance I am able, I will be kissing you. I can’t not kiss you. Do you understand? But since his passionate confession he’d only kissed her twice. Riordan thought it best to slow things down, more for Sabrina’s sake than his own. At least for this week—even though she’d responded to his desperate plea with, Yes. Kiss me. Always. As soon as he returned, he would fulfill her request with enthusiasm.