AN: Sorry for the wait. Enjoy!
7. An Awkward Encounter
"Do you ride Sir Count? Or are you a horse drawn carriage type of man?" I giggled.
"If I am being completely honest with you, I haven't touched an actual horse since I was a boy. My father had decided that it would do me some good to have a hobby like horse riding, but the first time I actually mounted one it was immediately spooked by a snake in the grass and I was thrown off. I refused to ride one ever since." He explained.
"Will you be alright in the stables with all of the horses?" I asked.
"I should be fine, besides, if I am to be spending time with you like this I should learn to get used to them. I wouldn't want to get in the way of something that lights up your eyes the way the subject of riding does." I blushed deeply at his sweet statement. A throat cleared suddenly.
"Hello, Minerva." Emmett said. The second I locked eyes with him I became horribly aware of my hand in Stefan's and I yanked it away as though I'd been shocked.
"Oh um hello , this is Count Stefan Matei. Stefan this is our stable boy Emmet McCarthy."
"Nice to meet you, Emmett." Stefan held his hand out for a shake. Emmett stared for a moment and then returned the gesture.
"You as well sir," Emmett replied.
"Please just Stefan, sir makes me seem old." He joked.
"Yes, sir." Emmett nodded stiffly.
"Anywho, we just came down so I could introduce the Count to Ash if you don't mind."
"Go right ahead Miss. He is your horse." Emmett said. For a moment, I thought I detected a little bitterness in his tone.
"Thank you." I curtly replied. I walked briskly away from Emmett and toward Ash's stall,Stefan followed closely behind.
"Not very approachable that one, huh Genevieve." Stefan chuckled.
"He is usually very well mannered. I'm not sure what has gotten into him." Out of habit, I started to worry my bottom lip with my teeth.
"Tis no matter dear Genevieve. Do not fret over it." Stefan said softly as he brushed his thumb across my lip, gently tugging it away from my teeth. I blushed immediately and ducked my head away. No man had ever touched me in such a way and it made me feel as though butterflies were a flutter in my tummy. I cleared my throat once and continued walking.
"Um Stefan, this is my beautiful boy Ash, Ash this is Stefan." I introduced them.
"Hello there Ash, a pleasure to meet you," Stefan smiled. Ash looked at him, huffed, and turned away as though he hadn't approved of what he saw. I heard a choking sound coming from behind me and I turned around to see Emmett looking as though he were trying to hold in laughter. I glared at him and turned back to the Count.
"I guess he doesn't like me much," Stefan said
"Don't be silly, he just needs to get to know you," I reassured him. Emmett's presence behind us was making my emotions run crazy and I finally decided that I couldn't continue this visit with him here. "You know what Stefan? I think we should just go continue that walk in the gardens."
"Are you sure Genevieve?" He asked.
"Of course," I smiled. "We can bring Ash out next time you visit."
"You want me to visit again?" He seemed astounded.
"Why do you always seem so shocked when I say things like that?" I queried.
"Well if I am being absolutely honest here...I have spent the majority of the past few years in solitude since acquiring my fortune. It has been hard to be sure if someone liked me for me or was only pretending for my money, and since meeting you I've found you to be quite sincere , and I actually...kind of...like you." He said the last part with a slight blush in his cheeks.
"Well, sir Count if I am being absolutely honest here," I giggled. "I quite like you as well and it gets a little lonely here with just my father and I. I could use a friend around sometimes," I smiled brightly.
"Friend? Hmm, I must admit I was hoping for more than friendship but I am a patient man Genevieve and will wait for you to return my feelings if need be. Friends it is." He smiled and held out his hand. I blushed and shook it. "Alrighty then, how about tea in the gardens Miss?" He offered me his arm and I gladly took it, moving away from the stables with him, and only looking back once to catch Emmett's eye but he was no longer there.
AN: Reviews are love