She slipped off Celeste as she reached the stables and asked a groom to see to her.
“She fell into a mud bog, and I fear she may be injured. Will you please check her over?”
“Of course, Miss Talleyrand.” The young man took Celeste’s reins and gave the horse a pat on the neck, offering soothing words as he led her away.
Sabrina trudged up to the servants’ entrance of the Russells’ home. Servants were fluttering about belowstairs. Ever since the guests had descended on the house, such as herself and Isla and Mr. Lennox, the household had been busy. Sabrina kept out of the way as much as possible.
“Ah, Miss Talleyrand, there you are.” Mrs. Benson, the Russells’ housekeeper, stopped her in the hall and then blinked in surprise. “What happened, dear? Are you all right?” She touched Sabrina’s shoulder in concern.
“My horse fell into a bog on the side of the road. She was stuck.”
“Oh my, is she alright?”
“Yes, at least I hope so.” Sabrina sighed. “A gentleman came along and rescued us.” She left out the part where she had visited Mr. Ashby alone at his house.
“Well, why don’t you take a bath and change? Isla will be fine in the nursery until you’re ready for her.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Benson.”
The housekeeper squeezed her shoulder again before she left. It had surprised Sabrina to find that the staff were just as kind and welcoming as their master and mistress had been to Sabrina. That would not always be the case in other homes. Governesses were notoriously mistreated. They were neither abovestairs nor below and therefore did not belong fully to either world. She would sometimes sit with the family at dinner, but often as not she would dine with Isla, or the staff upon other occasions. She could partake in some activities, but only so long as she was tending to Isla, and since Isla was so young, it was unlikely she would spend much of her time with the adults.
After Sabrina had bathed and dressed, she found her tiny charge in the nursery.
“Miss Isla, are you ready to go outside?” she asked.
The little imp grinned and nodded, her russet curls bouncing. “Is Papa going to play with us?”
“I’m not sure, sweetheart. He has to be with the adults. But if we’re lucky, he may let us join them.”
“To play grown-up things?” the girl asked.
“Yes, exactly. Someday you will play them too.” She hugged the girl, and Isla giggled again.
“Come on, then.” She stood and clasped Isla’s hand in hers. They left the nursery and climbed down the grand staircase just as Rafe was coming down the corridor.
“My darling.” He knelt and opened his arms to Isla, who broke free of Sabrina’s hold and rushed toward him.
Sabrina couldn’t contain her smile. It had become clear over the past months she’d spent with them that Rafe truly adored his adopted child.
“How is the little scamp faring?” Rafe asked.
“Very well. We are practicing our letters, aren’t we?” Sabrina was always sure to include Isla in the conversation. The girl gave a shy but proud nod to Rafe.
“There’s my girl,” he praised. “A woman who reads is already in control of half the world. Isn’t that right, Miss Talleyrand?”
“Yes, you are absolutely correct.” Rafe had been insistent that his daughter be educated in all the ways that a boy would. No subjects were to be left out. Sabrina had to confess that she wasn’t fully proficient in a few of the subjects, such as the sciences. She was doing her best to educate herself now that she had access to resources, but she worried that when the time came, Isla might need a more advanced tutor.
“Well, we’re going to have a busy day. Miss Talleyrand, would you mind remaining present when Isla’s with me during the party?”
She grinned at once. “Of course.” It would likely be uncomfortable to be so exposed to the rest of the guests on a social level being unequal to theirs. Still, their hosts, Zehra and Lawrence Russell, had been incredibly warm and welcoming. Perhaps the other guests would be as well.
“Did you have an enjoyable ride?” Rafe asked as the three of them walked into the drawing room.
“I did, but poor Celeste became trapped in a muddy bog. I feared I might never get her out.”
Rafe’s cheery temperament vanished, and concern sharpened his features. “Christ, is the horse all right?”
“We’re both all right. A neighbor of Mr. Russell’s happened by and rescued Celeste.”
“Oh? Was it Lord Rutland? He is a friend of mine. I know he enjoys riding and would likely have encountered you since his land borders Lawrence’s.”
“It was his steward. He was quite the gentleman.”
Rafe set Isla on the settee beside him. “Oh? I haven’t met the fellow.”
Sabrina sat opposite them in a chair. “What does Mr. Russell have planned for today?”
“I believe once the rest of the guests arrive, it will be croquet and a picnic.” He tugged one of Isla’s curls. “What do you think, sweetheart? You’ve never been to a picnic.”
“What is a picnic?” Isla asked with adorable seriousness.
“Well, let’s see. A group of people sit about on some grassy hillside and admire the beautiful countryside. They eat tiny little sandwiches, perhaps a strawberry or two, and drink some punch. Then they lounge about some more. You, however, may run about to pluck wildflowers on the hillside or do whatever you wish.”
“That sounds fun, doesn’t it, Isla?” Sabrina asked. The girl nodded and smiled.
The drawing room door opened, and Lawrence Russell strolled in. The man was tall, with dark-red hair and hazel eyes, with the same handsomeness that had been gifted to all the Russell children. He struck a fine figure in cream-colored trousers and a dark-blue waistcoat. His wife, Zehra, had confided in her that she had been stunned by seeing so many attractive siblings in one family.
“Rafe, there you are. Rutland just arrived. I thought the three of us could oversee the preparation of the croquet wickets.” When Mr. Russell caught sight of Sabrina, he offered a formal bow. “Good afternoon, Miss Talleyrand.”
“Mr. Russell.” She nodded at him, then held her arms open for Isla. Rafe settled Isla on her lap as he got up to join Mr. Russell.
“Would you ladies like to join us?” Mr. Russell offered to her and the child. “The weather is fine, and I imagine you would enjoy the sunshine.”
“Yes, that sounds lovely.”
Sabrina followed her employer and Mr. Russell into the hall, where they were speaking to another man. She drew closer, then jerked to a stop as she recognized him. Mr. Ashby, the man who had rescued her beloved horse and had given her such an enjoyable morning. Only a short time ago she’d been alone with him, discussing literature in a cozy little cottage. He was just as gorgeous as she’d believed a few hours ago. She licked her lips as she suddenly realized she was parched. His tawny eyes flicked to hers, widening in shock, then flaring in pleasure as he spoke.
“Sabrina?”
Her mind spun with excitement and then panic as she realized he’d called her by her Christian name in front of her employer.
“Mr. Ashby . . .” She tried desperately to put a barrier between them since her employer was now staring between the two of them.