Loving Lord Egleton: A Regency Romance (Regency Matchmakers Book 3), Laura Beers [ap literature book list .TXT] 📗

“That was a kind thing to say,” Kate praised. “Wasn’t it, Hannah?”

Hannah brought her gaze back up. “It was,” she replied.

“Why don’t you go change into your riding habit, and we’ll go out to the stables?” Martin asked.

“I think that is a brilliant idea,” Hannah said.

As she passed by Martin, he reached out and touched her sleeve. “I am sorry for yelling at you, Hannah.”

“You weren’t entirely wrong, you know.”

Martin smiled. “Was that an apology, as well?”

“I suppose it was.”

Martin dropped his hand and stepped back. “Hurry on, then,” he encouraged. “I hope I don’t have to wait hours for you to change.”

“I’ll be quick,” she promised as she exited the drawing room.

As she hurried up the stairs, Hannah wished Martin wouldn’t say such nice things to her. It would be much easier to move on if he weren’t so agreeable.

11

Martin knew he had reacted irrationally when he yelled at Hannah earlier, but he hadn’t been able to stop himself. The mere thought that Hannah would change who she was to try to win someone else’s approval did not sit well with him. He meant it when he said that she was perfect just the way she was. She was kind, compassionate, and laughed as if she had never experienced pain.

So why was Hannah so determined to win Lord Charles’s approval? If she allowed it, she would have a line of suitors vying for her attention. What was her plan? He knew she had one. She always did.

He glanced over at Hannah as they walked down to the stables. She was wearing a blue riding habit and her blonde hair was pulled back into a tight chignon, emphasizing her high cheekbones. Was it his imagination, or was she becoming more beautiful with each passing day?

Hannah turned her head towards him, and he realized he’d been caught staring. Rather than be embarrassed, he met her gaze and smiled.

“Why are you in such a good mood?” she asked.

“And you aren’t?”

Hannah seemed to consider him for a moment before saying, “I must admit that I am rather nervous.”

“I’m not surprised,” he said. “You haven’t been riding in years.”

“You must think me terribly foolish to do so.”

“I believe I have already made my stance known.”

Hannah smiled. “That you did,” she replied, “which is why I am grateful for your assistance.”

“We are friends, first and foremost.”

“I am pleased to hear you say so.”

Martin came to a stop outside of the stable door. “You should know that there was a time that I stopped riding, as well.”

“Is that so?”

He let out a deep sigh. “After my older sister died from falling off her horse, I found no enjoyment in riding. Frankly, I found little enjoyment in anything at the time.”

“I am sorry to hear that.”

“Were you aware that Phoebe was to be married within the week of her death?”

She shook her head. “I wasn’t.”

“So much was taken from our family on that fateful day,” he said. “It took months before we found reasons to start smiling again.”

Hannah took a step closer to him and placed a comforting hand on his sleeve. “I understand that more than you know.”

“I know you do,” he replied. “You have experienced many hardships in your life, and yet you haven’t turned bitter.”

“That doesn’t mean I don’t get angry.”

Martin placed his hand over hers. “I got angry,” he revealed. “I was angry at everyone for a while.”

“That is not uncommon after the loss of a loved one.”

“It nearly consumed me.”

“May I ask what changed?”

Martin lowered his gaze towards their hands. “I realized that Phoebe wouldn’t want me to wallow in my own self-pity,” he replied. “She would want me to live my life and to experience joy.”

“I am glad you finally came to terms with Phoebe’s death.”

He huffed. “I wouldn’t say that,” he said. “I still visit her grave site nearly every week when we retire to our country estate.”

“I think that is admirable.”

“Phoebe and I were exceptionally close,” he shared. “Since we were relegated to the nursery, we learned quickly to rely on one another.”

“I am glad that you two had each other.”

Martin winced as he admitted, “After Phoebe’s death, my father became a different person. A man I hardly recognize.”

“In what way?”

“I don’t think I have seen him smile since we heard the screams from the grooms calling for help,” Martin revealed.

“How horrible.”

“My father retreated to his work and doesn’t have time for anything else.” He shook his head. “As for my mother, she is determined not to fail with Marianne.”

“I am glad Marianne has you.”

A hint of a smile came to his lips. “I believe my sister could stand to hear that more.” He turned his attention towards the stable. “Are you ready to go riding?”

She squared her shoulders. “I am.”

“We could always head back up to the house and forget this madness,” he suggested.

“I think this is a good thing.”

“You do?”

“I don’t want fear to control my life anymore,” Hannah said with a decisive nod. “I want to prove to myself that I can do it.”

Martin gestured to a groom standing in the stable and took a step back. He watched as the stocky man walked a saddled horse out and extended him the reins.

“Will there be anything else, milord?” the groom asked.

“Not at this time,” Martin replied.

The groom tipped his head before disappearing back into the stable.

Martin adjusted the reins in his hands. “Are you ready to mount?”

Hannah stood back from the horse, her wide eyes roaming over the white mare. He could see a glimmer of fear in her gaze.

“There is no reason to be afraid,” he encouraged. “I won’t let any harm come to you.”

Hannah shifted her gaze towards him. “I’m glad you are here.”

“As am I.”

Hesitantly, she took a step closer and placed her hand on the mare’s neck. He didn’t want to rush her, so he stood by as she started petting the horse.

A giggle escaped her lips as the horse gave her a gentle nudge with her nose.

“I think she likes