"Why can’t we go right now?" Lesley Lu asked, looking up at her big brother. She was wearing a cute little riding gown, and her hair was hidden in her tiny matching bonnet.
" Because Carter is currently having a talk with Thunder." Lucky answered as he looked outside, to see if Willis was coming.
" Why does he need to have a talk with Thunder?" Lesley Lu asked with an exasperated sigh.
" Because he wants to make sure that Thunder is not in a bad mood, and therefore risk throwing you off him if you decide to pull on his ear." Lucky’s tone was serious. Lesley Lu didn’t see his hidden grin when she turned around, clearly indignant.
" I would never pull on a horse’s ear, Lucas!" She said in the best imitation of Laura’s insulted voice Lucky had ever heard. " I am a lady, and I know how to act like one!"
Lucky couldn’t help it. He let out a shout of laughter. " I do love teasing you, Lulu," Lucky said as he kneeled down in front of his sister. " I know you would never pull on Thunder’s ears, but Carter does have to make sure that he is in a good mood, or else his crankiness could become dangerous. When I am alone on him, I know how to restrain him, but I want to make sure he will behave with you on him." He explained half truthfully.
" Well," Lesley Lu huffed, " you could have said that in the first place and saved us both some grief, you know."
Lucky chuckled before he affectionately patted her shoulder. Even in one’s own house it wasn’t always good to show too much familiarity with one’s family. Every person in London and all Britain knew that the Spencers were a close and affectionate family, but Lucky didn’t like to let the servants know how much he was a soft touch when it came to Lesley Lu. One day, he would be their lord and master, and he didn’t want them to think they could walk all over him just because he could show love and affection to his little sister. So when they were in the hall, like they were now, he restrained his shows of tenderness to a pat here or there.
Finally, he saw his footman run for the front of the house after he had jumped off of his horse. Willis bowed as he presented his lord the note. Lucky turned around and walked a couple of steps away, unwilling to admit to himself that he was nervous about his betrothed’s answer.
--I would be happy to join you and your sister for your morning ride. I shall be ready by the time you get here with Lesley Lu. Thank you for thinking of me,
Yours,
Elizabeth--
" Willis!" Lucky barked and his footman was immediately in attention, looking guilty to have been talking with the young lady with a familiarity that wasn’t supposed to be. " I need you to go and tell Carter that Lady Lesley Lu and I are ready to go on our ride, and he shall bring Thunder to the front of the house."
" Yes, My lord," Willis said and bowed. " My lady," he addressed Lesley Lu with a smaller bow and a smile, before he ran out of the house again.
" So, are we going now?" Lesley Lu asked her brother.
" Yes, as soon as Carter brings Thunder around, we shall be off to fetch Lady Elizabeth, and then we will go to the park for our ride." Lucky answered his sister with a smile.
" Lady Elizabeth is coming?" Lesley Lu asked with a beaming smile. " I like her!"
" And when, pray tell, did you meet her?" Lucky asked with a playfully raised eyebrow.
" When Father and Mother went to visit Grandfather Rick and Grandmother Lesley. Lady Elizabeth’s father is Mother’s uncle. He was often there with his wife and his two daughters." Lesley Lu explained.
" I know that Lady Elizabeth is Mother’s cousin by adoption," Lucky provided, " I just did not know that you had met her prior to today."
" Well, now you do," Lulu said with her chin up in the air before she walked to the door. " Now, come on, it isn’t good to keep a lady waiting."
Lucky chuckled as he watched his half pint sister try to act like a woman. He helped her on his horse and sat behind her, holding her firmly against him so she couldn’t fall off the high animal.
" We’re so high!" Lulu exclaimed as she looked how far the ground was.
" This isn’t buttercup," Lucky agreed as he set the horse on a nice trot. " This horse can go faster than any other horse I have ever own. I do race him from time to time, you know."
" If mother knew, she would simply kill you," Lesley Lu stated matter of factly.
" I don’t think she would. Mother happens to think duels are a bloody waste of one’s time." Lucky replied, wondering why he was having this conversation with his young sister.
" But if you put yourself in danger, and she learns about it, she will kill you for scaring her." Lulu said with a laugh.
" Which would be counterproductive, don’t you think?" Lucky laughed. " If she kills me because I scared her by risking my life, I just as soon die while risking it."
" This is not a joking matter, Lucky!" Lulu’s head snapped back as she looked at him. " Don’t you know that we probably would die if something were to happen to you?"
" Hey," Lucky said as he stopped his horse and brought his sister closer to him, " Nothing will happen to me, Lulu. You don’t have to be scared of losing me, because I am not going anywhere."
" Good. Now let’s get to Lady Elizabeth’s house before she grows white hair." Lulu said in her best grown up voice and Lucky laughed, setting Thunder on a light run.
Penrose opened the door for them right after they knocked, which told Lucky he was probably waiting by the door. " Good day, Penrose," Lucky said with a smile, pleased that Elizabeth was probably waiting for him in her drawing room.
" Good day, my lord," Penrose said with a light bow and smiled at Lesley Lu. " Good day, my lady."
" Good day, Penrose," Lesley Lu smiled back at the elderly servant. " I hope we find you well today?"
" Very well, my lady, thank you so much for asking," Penrose beamed at the little girl.
" Lesley, you stay with Penrose while I let Lady Elizabeth know we have arrived, all right?" Lucky said. He didn’t wait for his sister to agree before he stepped forward, only to be stopped by a vision coming down the stairs.
Elizabeth was coming down the stairs slowly, wearing a lovely deep green riding gown with matching gloves. Lucky took his breath in and left it there, knowing a sigh would betray how lovely he thought she looked. He was NOT supposed to feel that way about her.
" Hello," Lucky said with a smile and his heart missed a beat as she smiled back.
" Hello," Elizabeth echoed as Lucky took her hand and kissed her knuckles. " It was so nice of you to invite me."
" I thought you might like to ride in the park on this beautiful day, and we have our little chaperone with us."
Elizabeth moved to the door and saw Lesley Lu happily chatting with Penrose. " Hello, Miss Lu," Elizabeth said with a teasing voice.
" Lady Elizabeth!" The little girl beamed when she saw who was talking to her. " How good it is to see you again," Lesley added.
" If everybody is ready, maybe we could get this party on the road?" Lucky asked as he took Lesley Lu’s hand. " This little lady has been quite anxious to ride on my stallion and I doubt the ride over here was enough to fill my promise to her."
" You’re right," Lesley Lu said, " It wasn’t!"
Elizabeth laughed and turned to her footman. " Filbert, would it be possible to tell the head coachman to bring my horse in front of the house, I am ready to go."
" Yes, my lady," the elderly footman replied before he walked out to go to the stables. " Shall we?"
" Yes, finally!" Lesley said with a smile. " I have been waiting all morning for this ride!"
" Why do I have the feeling that this will be a ride to remember?" Lucky asked with a grin.