The Mirror Mage

49. Decisions

The stables that Lucian fondly remembered had been demolished and replaced by a pretty wooden summer house with French doors opening onto a paved area.

Protesting loudly at the desecration, Lucian was interrupted by the sight of the Rider and Melissa stepping out from those very doors. The Rider had traded in his Rhillion clothes for a pair of black denim trousers and a sky-blue long-sleeved shirt. In Ben's opinion, he looked just as hot. Even though he no longer fancied him as a potential lover, he could still appreciate a good thing when he saw one.

"Ben! Althor!" exclaimed the Rider, a startled expression on his face, as if they were the last people he had been expecting. After a slightly awkward pause, he hurried toward them, hands outstretched. Instead of the hug Ben anticipated, the Rider clasped his hand and shook it, then did the same with Lucian.

"See? I have learnt some English customs." He beamed at both of them.

"Rider! How are you?" Ben smiled in return. "How's the leg? You're walking well enough, it seems."

A shadow crossed his face. "Well enough. As you can see, I still have two legs, instead of one and a half."

He turned and smiled at Melissa who had stayed back, waiting, in front of the summer house. "Melissa is a hard task mistress! So many exercises, when all I wanted to do was rest."

Melissa smiled in mock reproof. "It was for your own good, as well you know!" She came and stood beside him. Her expression was polite but a little stiff as she addressed Ben and Lucian.

"Thank you both for returning, I know Rider has been counting the days. Shall we go into the house and have some tea?"

"That would be very welcome," Lucian spoke for the first time. "I can't remember the last time I had proper tea. They have a similar drink in Rhillion, but it's not the same."

Melissa led the way at a brisk pace, but the Rider soon caught up with her and slipped his arm companionably inside hers. Her pace changed automatically to suit his and Ben and Lucian exchanged startled glances. Ben raised an eyebrow.

Lucian cleared his throat. "Lady Melissa, perhaps you could show me around the manor house first? I'd be interested to see what has changed, and I'm sure Ben and the Rider have a lot to talk about."

"Of course, Lucian." She turned to look anxiously at him. "Or should I call you Lord Wentworth?"

"Lucian is fine, thank you."

Once in the kitchen, Ben and the Rider seated themselves at the table, while the other two left to explore the house.

"So how have you been?" asked Ben.

"I'm well. Much better than I ever expected to be."

"And what about your leg? Have you tried riding yet?"

The Rider's lips twisted. "I can ride... but not like I could before. Melissa says I have probably damaged a tendon and it will take time to heal fully."

"I see, still that's good news though, isn't it? You just have to be patient."

The Rider gave a rueful laugh. "Thou are right, of course. I've been here twenty eight of their days, how long has it been on Rhillion?"

"Only a day."

The Rider shook his head, as if he still found that incomprehensible.

"How are they managing at the Keep, do thou know?"

"I spoke to Ciara just before I came. She and your steward, Tibor, are keeping things running in your absence. I hear Uldon is still away on family matters."

"But what about the horses? It must be time to bring the herd in from the grasslands."

"You'll have to ask Lucian. I think he was trying to arrange someone to help out, someone from a place called Stall's Keep."

"What? That pack of pardus? They scarcely know the difference between a mare and a stallion!"

The disgust on the Rider's face was obvious.

"Well, it doesn't sound like you're going to be fit enough yourself, from what you're saying," Ben pointed out, reasonably enough.

The Rider glowered a bit longer then suddenly slapped his hand down on the table with a loud smack, making Ben jump. He beamed at Ben.

"Thou!"

"What?"

"Thou can do it. Thou can ride well enough to bring in the horses, I'm sure, and sort out the foals as well."

"Er... well..." Taken aback, Ben struggled with his reactions. It was the very last thing he had expected. He'd thought the Rider wouldn't want him anywhere near his precious horses.

"Are you sure?"

"I am. I'm sure thou would do a far better job of it than some lackey from Stall's Keep!"

Now the invitation had been issued, Ben felt excitement welling through him. It would be a challenge but right at this moment, he couldn't think of anything he'd rather do.

"You'd need to give me instructions, but I'd love to help. And, of course, you'll be there to make the decisions about the foals when I bring them in."

"Indeed." The Rider's eyes slid sideways for a second, but Ben was too excited to notice, his mind already running ahead, fleshing out his strategies. It would be difficult to round the herd up by himself. Perhaps one or two of the stable hands could be persuaded to help. His musings were interrupted by the sound of voices, Melissa and Lucian were on their way back.

To Ben's surprise, the Rider got up to put the kettle on. He supposed he shouldn't be surprised, but it was such a domestic thing to do.

"So, you haven't had too much trouble adapting to life in England, then?"

"The first week was hard," admitted the other man, "but once I could get up and move around, it was a lot better. So many new things to discover! And Melissa has been wonderful!"

Melissa entered the kitchen as he spoke and the Rider left the stove and went across to her. Putting an arm around her waist he drew her close. Then he kissed her cheek and she blushed.

Ben and Lucian froze in place, Ben fearing that his mouth had dropped open in astonishment.

The Rider cleared his throat and faced them, a determined expression on his face. "As a matter of fact, Melissa and I are in love and I've decided to stay here with her for a bit longer. I'm sorry, Ben Lucas, but I won't be returning with thee to Rhillion."