Saving Sabine

Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

Sabine was relieved when January arrived and it finally became time to return home. She’d loved every minute of being surrounded by her family once again but she was anxious to see Connor again. It had been nearly a month since she’d left Southerby and she’d felt the separation.

It had been emotional saying farewell to her family though. She did not know when she would next see her grandmother as it was hard for her to leave her farm unattended. She knew the next time she saw the Alcott’s that there would be a newborn with them, and Sabine wished Kitty all the best luck with birthing her child.

She’d barely been able to keep still on the journey home. Every few minutes she would look out the window to see if the ivy covered Southerby House was in sight. Her parents and brothers had asked her what she was doing and she’d replied that she was excited to see Puissant. That was true, but there was another she was excited to see also.

She was completely relieved when the grounds of Southerby suddenly surrounded them as the carriage. She felt butterflies in her stomach as she thought about seeing Connor again. She hoped he’d thought about her during their separation.

“You can relax now, dear,” Jane said comically, knowing that Sabine was excited.

“You won’t disappear on a trail ride, will you?” Daniel asked. “Because I want to have a family dinner before the boys return to Eton.”

Sabine nodded. “I’ll be back for dinner,” she promised. “I just want to see Puissant. I want to make sure that the Scot has taken care of her properly,” she added, playing up her disdain for Connor. As she said it though, she remembered that soon she would be telling her parents that she was getting married to him.

“Connor is perfectly capable, Sabine,” Jane scolded. “I think he adores horses more than you do.”

“And that’s saying something,” Philip goaded.

Sitting in between her brothers, Sabine was in the ideal position to smack him for teasing her. Seeing her moves in advance, Daniel caught her wrist before her hand connected with him.

Her father’s brown eyes were amused. “Don’t, Sabine,” he said, smiling slightly.

Taking her hand back, Sabine returned her attention to the window, watching as the house came into view.

The horses pulled to a stop and the footmen immediately opened the door and began unloading the trunks. Her parent’s thought nothing of it as she avoided the front door to walk around the back of the house. Once out of sight, she gathered up her skirts and broke into a run. Even though her legs were on show, she didn’t care. The quicker she moved the quicker she would be with Connor.

Disappearing over the hill, she beamed as the familiar stable came into view. As she approached the double doors, she let down her skirts and clutched her carved horse necklace for luck. Opening them, fully expecting to see Connor in the aisle, she frowned. He wasn’t there.