g, he set out to see Maeve. Thoughts of her occupied his mind

see," Jeffrey said

at his lips. "I have to go and apologise again,

ear cousin."

>>>>>>>>>>>>

Stormwind, his magnificent chestnut horse with a glossy mane, moved like liquid silk beneath him, hooves drumming against the earth.

laundry, her sleeves rolled to the elbows, cheeks flushed from the sun and work. Her hair was t

eve said, attempting a smil

to produce a small velvet box. "I wished to bring you som

tly. "You need not trouble your

t, finely engraved with little sun motifs. "Please, accept this.

red over it. "Pa

racelet around her wrist. "You will. Conside

maginary dust from his coat. "And now," he said, "I wonder if you might g

ave much work to do before the day is

twinkled. "Then

annot-" sh

and I shall. You do not seem to unders

coloring. "Very well, but only if you p

replied smoothly, already pulling u

fted water buckets, gathered laundry, and helped Maeve hang the sheets and linens. He ch

s heavier than you think," Maev

strength," Patrick said, grinning. "And I

ning's harvest toward him. He caught a droplet on his cheek and smirked. "I see

her hand. "Your laughter. It i

er crimson. "Patrick" she

and cleaned, and the cottage was gleaming. After they both ate the meal they prepared together, M

tly, "I may finally show you wha

. "I... I do not wis

e you trek the distance on foot. Stormwind is st

excitement as he held out h

usting the reins so she felt secure. The horse shifted beneath her steadily

the fields and cottages were a quilt of greens and golds benea

e ga

sinking slowly behind them, streaks of amber, rose, and violet painting the sky. A gentle bree

I have never noticed this view before, tho

of clover, still holding the reins as he studied her. "Perhaps it was always here,

certainty flickering in

yes. But not so lovely as the light in your eyes, t

th caught. "

t than the mountains gilded with light. And I cannot let a moment pass without telling you. I also want you to know that you have ca

down, fumbling with the hem of her

id, his voice low and earnest. "Take your time. Consider it, and know that

y as she reached up to touch t

..

y wished to tell you what you must already suspect. My feelings are yours, sho

rrying the last warm colors of the sun across the sky. She felt a warmth in h

almost to herself, "Th

t is all I require for now. And now, if

se, uncertainty flickeri

, offering his hand. "And I will wa

f Stormwind's back, the horse's hooves echoing softly on the

the blush lingering on her cheeks.

s lips. "Take all the time you need, Maeve. I

bowed slightly, a quiet chivalry

meet again

she echoed softly, a

g her through the fading light. There was a quiet promise in his gaze, a vow made without words.

she could not name stirred within her. And as Stormwind's hooves faded into the