Page 60 of Ella’s Desire

Decision made, Ella pushed the book beneath the window seat cushion and made for the stables to have Peter saddle her horse.

He was changing the straw in a stall when she entered.

“Peter, please ready Kipper.”

He straightened from his task and peered behind her through the door. “I don’t see your guard.”

She indicated the dagger at her waist. “I don’t need a guard.”

Peter resumed his task, scooping the dirty hay from the empty stall. “Even if you had your axe, I’d have to deny you.”

“Please, Peter.” She went to him and stood before the stall he was working on. “I have to get away. I can’t stay here another moment.”

He paused from his work to regard her. “Lady Ella, you know I cannot do that. We’ve all been informed that no one should ride outside the castle walls without a guard.” His brows furrowed with the sincere look he always gave, the one which had buried deep in her heart for so many years. “Not even you.”

She dragged in a deep breath. “I cannot stay here. I have to get out, to ride, to think.” She clenched her fists. “I just need to be free, Peter. Please.”

Tenderness shone in his hazel green eyes. “I cannot.”

Freedom slipped between her fingers and entrapment closed in around her. It echoed in her ears and radiated within her chest.

“I thought you were happy.” There was a softness to his voice, as though he was afraid of speaking too loudly.

It plucked at the sorrow in Ella’s heart and tears prickled in her eyes. “I’m not.”

Somewhere in the stables, a horse neighed, and the heavy clop of its hooves sounded against the floor. Most likely Kipper.

“I thought I was happy.” She hated that her voice quivered, but she couldn’t stop it. “I thought I was in love. But he is just like every other nobleman out there, wanting a woman to be vulnerable, believing she needs him to take care of her.”

Peter leaned against the handle of his pitchfork. “Part of your beauty has always been your independence. I’m certain Lord Calville feels that as well.”

Ella blinked against her tears. “I doubt it.”

“Mayhap it’s because you don’t see him look at you the way I do.” Peter raised his brows and grinned at her.

His wonderful, charming grin that somehow did not affect her anymore. In a way, it bothered her to be so unaffected. Because it meant her interest had shifted from Peter and to Bronson, which meant she cared for Bronson enough for him to hurt her as deeply as he had.

“He wants to take me to court.” The tears were coming now, too fast to stop. “I do not want to go.” She looked away, ashamed of her tears.

“Lady Ella, please don’t cry.” Peter moved closer and opened his arms.

For her?

Even as she wondered if she ought to accept his comfort, her body decided it would, and she was stepping into his embrace. His arms folded around her, strong and firm, his scent so much like she had expected: hay and sweat and something masculine.

“You’ll be fine, Lady Ella.” His voice rumbled in his chest against her ear. “You’ll be happy.”

His warmth surrounded her, his strength, and suddenly she was sobbing against his shirt. Her arms curled around him, drawing him closer to her, not with lust as she had the first time she’d gone to him nearly three weeks prior, but with the need for comfort.

“I love him,” she whispered.

“I know.” Peter hugged her closer. “I had hoped this would happen. I only want the best for you, Lady Ella.”

“It was why you rejected me.” Ella lifted her head and regarded Peter. “Is that why you wouldn’t become my lover? Not because you didn’t think I’m beautiful?”

Peter flushed, his embarrassment endearing. “I’ve always found you lovely. But I’m the Master of the Horse, and you’re the earl’s daughter. And even if we were not…” He shook his head. “I am not a man for marriage. My heart will never focus on only one woman. My ma was the same way and I saw what she did to my father.” He shifted his eyes away. “I would never do that to a woman.”

Ella stared up at him, this man who she had been fascinated by for so long, and yet who she never really knew. Apparently, this was a recurring problem in her life. Cat might trust too readily, but apparently Ella loved too quickly.