Sarah Mallory - Bought for Revenge

It had been such a pleasurable day, why not repeat it? She was sorely tempted.

‘We have reached the edge of the Oakenroyd Park,’ he said, bringing his horse to a stand. ‘I shall leave you here and hope to see you on Monday.’

‘I—Do not look for me.’ She was suddenly unsure.

The brim of his hat shaded his face and she could read nothing from his look, although she knew those black eyes were fixed on her. Unsettled, she touched her crop to Apollo’s flank and set off at a gallop across the park. She did not look back, but it was an effort. She wondered if he was still watching her, or had he ridden away, putting all thoughts of her from his mind?

Annabelle entered the house by a side door and went to find her father. He was in his study, but he put down his book when she entered.

‘So you are back at last, my love. Did you enjoy yourself at Morwood?’

‘The time went very quickly,’ she answered him evasively. ‘We covered everything to the south and east of the house. Mr Monserrat has a lot of work to do to make Morwood habitable again.’

‘But it is time. I should have done more with it.’

‘You once had plans to build another house there, did you not, Papa?’

‘Yes. I thought I might do so.’ He sighed. ‘I was going to demolish the old manor, but when it came to it…’ He sighed again. ‘Perhaps I should have sold Morwood then. Perhaps I should never have bought it.’

‘Too late to fret over that, sir,’ was Annabelle’s bracing response. ‘Instead let us be thankful that it is now being restored.’

‘Yes. Do you know, my love, I think Mr Monserrat’s coming will prove beneficial to the whole area. I am glad you have shown him over the grounds, Belle. I would not want him to think us anything less than good neighbours.’

She walked to the window, gazing out at the tranquil gardens, everything so neat and orderly.

‘He has asked me to ride out with him again, Papa. On Monday.’

‘And will you go, Belle?’

She raised her eyes, looking past the well-kept domesticity of Oakenroyd to the rugged moors beyond. Even in the sunshine they had a barren look to them, a wildness that attracted her. And beyond the moor lay the neglected groves of Morwood and their enigmatic owner.

‘Belle?’ Her father spoke again. ‘Will you ride out with Mr Monserrat?’

She smiled.

‘Yes, Papa. I think I shall.’

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