Felicity was miserable for the next couple of weeks. Her parents had awoken the next morning and found Felicity in bed, and called the doctor immediately. The doctor examined Felicity's ankle and told the Merriman's that it could take up to four weeks for her ankle to heal, and that she was to stay off of it. Felicity was not in good spirits at this. She did not want to be cooped up in the house for four weeks! Mr. and Mrs. Merriman were not thrilled to hear how Felicity had obtained the injury, but were thankful to Ben for his assistance.
Felicity saw little of Ben during the next two weeks. Edward Merriman's store kept Ben busy all day, and the only time he was able to see Felicity was during dinner. But Felicity often had a faraway look during dinner; Ben could tell that her mind was preoccupied. He longed to talk to her and find out what was bothering her, but they scarcely could ever get two minutes alone since she could not leave the house.
Felicity was indeed conflicted. Her thoughts were often of Ben. She knew that she loved Ben, but was unclear as to what that meant. She had always considered him like an older brother, but perhaps her love was not platonic. She found herself thinking of his kiss often, and felt butterflies in her stomach every time she did. But she was convinced that Ben only thought of her as a little sister. She had no idea how wrong she was.
Andrew Collins paid her a visit one day, and Felicity was flattered at the gesture. She thought that maybe she could force herself to like this man who so clearly liked her, but quickly changed her mind when it was clear that he desired to boast of himself more than inquire after her health. Felicity's mind was made up concerning Andrew Collins, and she said as much to her family after he left. "That Andrew Collins is an arrogant snob!"
Felicity was still restless during the night, and desperately longed to ride Penny again. Two weeks after her injury she decided she could take it no longer. She stood up out of bed and found that she felt no pain in her ankle. She was overjoyed. She walked down to the stables and her ankle still felt pain free, and she resolved that it was healed. The sky was clear and the moon was bright. It was a little past four. She whispered through the darkness. "Ben? Are you awake?"
Ben had indeed been awake; conflicted with the same feelings she had been conflicted with. He sat up. "Felicity? What in the sam hill are you doing walking?" He got up out of his bed and ran down to her.
"It doesn't hurt anymore, Ben. I think that it's healed. And I can't sleep."
"Felicity, even if you feel that it is healed, it may not be. And you don't want to irritate it."
"Ben, please," she begged. "You have no idea how useless I feel. I need to ride. You can ride with me."
Ben couldn't help but chuckle a little at how desperate she looked. "Alright, Felicity. Let's go."
Felicity jumped in excitement. "Careful, Felicity." Ben warned.
Felicity mounted Penny first, and then Ben. Penny seemed a little irked that Ben was riding her too, but softened immediately when Felicity calmed her. They rode together, as fast as they could. Felicity's heart was beating fast from a combination of the thrill of the ride and the feel of Ben's arms encircling her. When they reached Felicity's meadow and dismounted Ben was nearly breathless. "You were right! What a thrill! Penny might be the fastest horse I have ridden as well!"
"Can you see why I missed riding her?"
Ben nodded. "This place is beautiful. How did you find it?"
"By accident one night when I was riding. I had no idea it was here. Once I found it, I came here every night. It's very serene."
"Indeed."
They sat by the lake, and talked for a long time. Felicity asked him questions about the war and his family. They talked of horses, the weather, the country, balls...they seemed to cover every subject except their feelings for each other. They were both avoiding that subject. They sat in comfortable silence gazing at the stars for several moments until dawn. "Perhaps we should head back, Felicity."
They rode back to the stables in a flash. Ben dismounted Penny and placed his hands around Felicity's waste to help her down. When her feet touched the ground, he did not remove his hands. Had her eyes always been this beautiful?
Their faces were just inches away. Ben could feel her breath. Was that his heart that he heard beating so loudly? Felicity's stomach did flip-flops as he slowly inched his face closer to hers...
"Felicity! There you are!"
Felicity and Ben jumped at the sound of Nan's voice. Nan could tell she had just interrupted an intimate moment and tried to suppress a smile as she explained herself. "Mother wanted me to fetch you. She was worried when she woke and found you gone." With that Nan turned and left.
Felicity glanced at Ben before she started toward the house. She tried to hide the disappointment on her face, but it showed.