Cecilia:

I scampered up the stairs as fast as my legs would carry me, I was feeling the most exhilarated I had in days. We were going riding!

Since my arrival at Clampton I had hardly had the time to ride Shadow and I couldn't wait to be on him again. I could feel the sinewy muscle beneath me and the wind whipping my hair back already.

I wouldn't let Ellis' bizarre question of loving Rory ruin my mood now as I speedily changed into my dark blue riding habit. It was as I was hurrying back down the stairs that I realised that this was the first time Rory had actually invited me to do something with him of his own free will.

I entered the stables slightly out of breath, my eyes ran around the area and were fast to find Rory who was saddling up his stallion, Arrow. I hastened over to him and tapped him on the shoulder eagerly.

"What in... Oh, Cecilia," he let out a small laugh as the surprise faded from his face.

"Yes? I am ready, may we go now?" I realised I sounded like a whiny child but I was tingling with excitement and itching to get on Shadow, I flexed my gloved hands in anticipation.

"I must say Cecilia, you gave me quite a fright, I was rather wrapped up in seeing to Arrow, I was sure you'd be a good few minutes more." I watched as his eyes quickly ran over me, taking in my attired state.

"James is saddling up Shadow now I believe," his eyes wandered to where a young boy stood attempting to saddle Shadow.

I ran over to the beautiful beast and placed a short kiss on his nose, "Here, let me do that," I spoke to the boy who looked at me in bewilderment. I reached over, lifted the saddle out of his arms and hefted it up into position on Shadows back.

The boy looked at me, his mouth agape, in horror or awe I wasn't sure. I thanked him for taking care of the horse before securing the saddle and reins and making sure everything was ready for the ride. I placed one foot in the stirrup and hoisted myself up into the saddle.

I rode over to Rory who was also watching me with his mouth open, "What? Never seen a woman saddle her own horse before?" I questioned. He shut his mouth immediately.

"Most women would not be aware of how to saddle a horse correctly." He managed to choke out, I saw the stable boy nod out of the corner of my eye. I couldn't help but laugh at the two men.

"Well, I am not 'most women' clearly," Rory nodded before fumbling with the reins of his horse. "Hurry up will you, I cannot wait to get going!"

"Alright, alright!" He raised his hands in mock surrender. Swinging his body over his horse he hoisted himself onto his mount. The moment he was in the saddle I kicked my heels into Shadows side easing him into a gentle trot.

"I want to take you somewhere," I heard Rory whisper in my ear as we left the stables. The tingling sensation of his breath on my neck made me let out an involuntary shiver and the smirk on his face showed he knew just the effect he had had on me, I growled at him in response.

My interest had however been piqued, where did he want to take me? And why did he want to take me anywhere at all? I ignored the questions mulling around my brain and focussed on the glorious feeling of riding again.

It was not long before the Clampton estate had been lost to our sight behind the tall trees and shrubbery of the land and gardens surrounding the house. The sound of running water nearby greeted my ears in a melodic tune as it warbled between the pebbles of a brook.

The sky above was a pale blue punctuated occasionally with a brushstroke of white, the perfect stage for the dancing birds that dotted across the sky. I let out a small sigh of happiness, this was freedom.

There was a comfortable silence between Rory and I as he led us towards a large hill that interrupted the uniform landscape. I looked over at him and noticed he seemed to be deep in thought, about what I wish I knew, but from the look on his face he didn't seem all to happy.

Deciding to finally break the silence I cleared my voice and addressed him, "Something the matter?" I questioned him.

His head snapped up to mine before he slowly shook his head in answer, "I was merely thinking 'tis all." The frown returned to his face for a moment before he exhaled and replaced the lines on his forehead with a smile on his lips.

Motioning to the hill that we had begun to ascend he continued, "Stillers Hill, its the highest point on the estate, the views are beyond any you may have seen before I am sure." His voice was not boastful but held a tinge of pride as he talked about his grounds.

"I am sure they are magnificent." There was a short lull in the conversation as I decided whether or not to ask what I'd been wanting to ask for quite some minutes now. In the end I gave in to my curiosity and voiced my question, "If I may ask, why did you want to bring me here Rory?"

There was a moments silence before Rory spoke again, "I don't know," I gave him a confused look, it was certainly not the response I had been expecting, although I wasn't sure myself of what I had been expecting his response to be.

My thoughts were interrupted by Rory, "It's where I come to get away from it all, it's my safe haven so to speak," he let out a small chuckle and shook his head as if he were laughing at himself.

"I wanted to share it with you," he spoke quietly, his voice softer. His eyes flitted up to meet mine when he'd finished speaking as if gauging my reaction.

"I... Uh...Thank you?" Why would he want to share his special sanctuary with me? I didn't understand what was going on in that man's head, he was a puzzle. Although it confused me I noted the slight fluttering in my chest as he told me he wanted to share his safe haven with me, I felt...Special.

I gave Rory a small smile, "So, what do you think? Do you like it?" His eyes were alert and steady, eager for a reaction. I was momentarily bewildered by his questions, did I like what?

Then I took in my surroundings properly for the first time since the start of our conversation. So consumed had I been in what Rory had said, and my own thoughts, that I had not noticed we had reached the top of the hill.

I let out a gasp as the beauty of the landscape stretched before me seeped into my skin. It truly was the most spectacular view, from here I could see the whole of Hampshire and to counties beyond.

The late morning light highlighted the golden fields of corn and the luscious green of the grasses, shadows of clouds stained some areas, encompassing sections of wheat in a darker amber hue.

I felt at peace as the rolling fields of the countryside stretched before me as if they were never ending. I could understand just why Rory liked it up here and fancied it as my own new sanctuary too.

I turned my head back to face him, a grin spread across my face, "It's wonderful, I love it." An equally joyous grin stole over his face and, for the first time, I noticed the small dimples either side of his smiling mouth.

It was almost unheard of to witness Rory smiling, but recently I had noticed him smiling much more, maybe that was why I had never noticed the slight dimples in his cheeks before. They gave him a mischievous, boyish appearance and added to his overall handsomeness.

I groaned internally, I had to stop thinking about his good looks, for christ's sake he was just a man. A very very attractive man though... Ugh, what was it about Rory Huntington that had my head in a spin and my heart a flutter every time he smiled. God, I was really losing it.

"I'm glad you like it," I nodded my head in assurance before turning my attention back to the scenic landscape trying to divert my thoughts from their earlier direction.

"Race you to the tree," Rory kicked his horse into action so as to give himself a head start, the swine. I kicked my heels into Shadow's side and sped after Rory in the direction of a large tree that was positioned at the end of the hilltop.

Even with his head start I knew I could still beat Rory, I had been riding my whole life and was a highly accomplished horsewoman, if I said so myself. It was close in the end but I overtook Rory, sending him a triumphant smirk as I took the lead and reached the tree before him.

"I win, I win," I sung as his horse slowed down to a halt beside mine. I expected Rory to be fuming and demand a rematch but instead he just stuck his tongue out at me childishly and promised to beat me next time.

I laughed, "In your dreams darling."

Rory let out a scoff, "Just you wait."

"Might be waiting quite awhile at this rate," I countered.

"Just as well we have a lifetime together then isn't it?" For some reason the idea of being stuck with the man beside me did not sicken me as it used to.

Hadn't I told him I would leave, why was I still here then? Because you enjoy spending time with him, the voice in my head whispered. No I don't, I thought with exasperation, I think he's the devil incarnation.

I nodded my head, realising I must look like a complete madwoman to Rory who was looking at me quizzically, one eyebrow slightly raised.

"Sorry, I urm...There was a bee?" I said hopefully but, from the look on Rory's face, unconvincingly. I cursed internally, why couldn't I come up with an excuse that didn't make me look even crazier than I already did? I looked up at Rory to see him inspecting my hair intently, maybe I wasn't the only crazy one here.

"Hold still a moment, there's an insect in your hair," Rory's eyes turned to my face before returning to my hair, his eyes looked slightly scared.

"Okay," I simply shrugged leaning my head closer to him so as he might remove the offending creature from my hair. He leaned towards me from his saddle reaching one hand out to brush the insect from my hair but he did not remove his hand or pull back from me once he had removed the creature.

"Forgive me Cecilia," he murmured before I felt his lips crash against mine. I was momentarily taken aback and before I could rationalise what I was doing, I found myself leaning into him and reaching my arms around his broad shoulders to pull him closer.

I felt his hands land on my waist, nudging me closer to him, his hands were not rough and demanding like Edward's had been and I felt a sense of safety wash over me as Rory's hands gripped me securely yet gently.

It took a moment longer for my head to catch up with my embarrassingly wanton actions and I pushed myself away from Rory shaking my head, what was he playing at? Why was he trying to mess around with me? What did he want? What did I want? I mean I had just kissed him for the third time since this arrangement, why was I letting him toy with me?

"God, Cecilia I'm so sorry, I don't know what came over me," I continued to shake my head, noticing the tears that had started to tumble down my cheeks, God, why did I have to cry now?

Not knowing what else to do, I propelled my heel into Shadow's side and set off as fast as Shadow could take me. I needed to get away from him and his games. I galloped away from him just as a loud crack of thunder sounded overhead, the last thing I heard was my name as Rory chased after me before the rain drowned out his cries.

After I had arrived at the stables I had jumped off Shadow and handed his reins to James who ushered him into his stall before I sprinted up the stairs to the house, past a worried looking Ellis, and into my bedchamber.

I collapsed on my bed before continuing to cry soundlessly into the pillows as my mind tossed and turned on a tidal wave of confused thoughts and feelings. It was a few hours later, after analysing everything that had happened in the past few weeks at Clampton, that I came to the horrifying conclusion that Denny had been right.

I had feelings for my husband.

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