Cherish was about the same height as Fiona, but a little fuller in shape. Nicely full in the bosom, Gawain thought.
He frowned, for any pleasure he had felt a moment ago was now gone as he watched her struggle with her fear. She turned ashen as she mounted the horse and almost lost her balance when it took a slight, lurching step forward.
Gawain hopped the fence and strode forward to catch her before she slid off. Or was she purposely about to jump off? He did not want her to give up before taking even one turn around the meadow.
“Your Grace,” she said with noticeable relief, and reached out for him to help her down.
He caught her by the waist and propped her back up. “You can do this, Cherish.” He patted the docile mare who wasgrowing agitated because she sensed Cherish’s fear. “What’s her name?”
“Sugar,” Cherish said, her lips tensely pursed. “Please, help me down.”
“Not yet,” he insisted. “You’ve only just started. I know it is hard for you, but I have faith in you. Give it a try. Reggie and I will not leave your side.”
His nephew, who had been holding on to Sugar’s reins, nodded.
Gawain now turned to the mare and spoke to her in his most soothing voice. “There, there, Sugar. Behave yourself. That’s a good girl.”
Once he had calmed the mare, Gawain turned to Reggie. “I’ll hold the reins while you climb on behind Cherish. Take a few turns around the meadow so that the horse feels comfortable with both of you in the saddle.”
“I’ve got the mare, Uncle. You had better get on with Cherish, since you have a commanding way with people and horses that instills trust. I don’t think she will trust anyone but you.”
Gawain wasn’t sure whether theshereferred to Sugar or Cherish.
He studied Cherish. Her eyes had a wild look to them, wide and slightly glazed. He recognized this sign of panic, for he’d seen it in young soldiers their first time on a battlefield. Cherish was in no danger here, but she had been thrown off a horse once and probably suffered a more serious injury than she had let on. A sprained wrist and a bump on the head was what she had told him.
What he believed she had suffered was a serious concussion and an instinctive fear of horses no one had ever taught her to overcome.
Her lips remained tightly pursed and were as devoid of color as her ashen face. “Cherish, I am going to ride with you. Is that all right?”
She nodded.
He easily mounted behind her and wrapped her in his arms, encouraging her to lean back and hold on to his arms. As she did so, he felt her entire body tremble. He knew how to make a woman quiver with pleasure in the bedroom, and ached for this to happen with Cherish. But here and now, she was simply overwhelmed with fear.
He understood how difficult this was for her and admired her attempt to overcome a dread that stemmed from the darkest recesses of her memory.
“Reggie is going to lead your mare in a slow circle around the meadow. He will keep tight hold of her tether so she won’t run off or do anything to frighten you. Once you are comfortable, he will let go, and then you and I will circle the meadow on our own. All right?”
“Sugar is a sweet horse, Cherish,” Reggie assured her, careful to keep the docile mare to nothing faster than a walk. Any slower and the horse would fall asleep, Gawain thought.
But he was not going to remark on it because it would embarrass Cherish. Her fear was real and not to be taken lightly.
She kept her eyes closed all the while they rode around the meadow. Gawain wanted her to open them. “I have you, Cherish. I am not going to let you fall. Open your eyes now. You can do this.”
She buried her head against his shoulder. “You must think I am so stupid.”
“Not at all. You were a child when your accident happened, and that horse was probably too much for someone as little as you to handle. Tumbling out of the saddle was not your fault, nor did it show any lack in you.”
He continued to speak to her calmly as Reggie led them around once again. This time, Cherish kept her eyes open. But he felt her tense every time Sugar took the tiniest misstep.
“The ground is uneven, that’s all. Sugar is docile and will not bolt. You are in charge and she knows it. She will listen to your instructions.”
Cherish turned slightly to stare up at him. “You are the one in charge. I am the coward she wants to throw off. Please don’t be angry, but I don’t think I can do this on my own.”
“Yes, you can. Give it time. I’ll stay on with you and we are going to take another turn, just us. Reggie, hand me Sugar’s reins.”
Cherish held her breath.
“You are going to pass out if you don’t breathe,” Gawain gently teased. “I will never let go of you until you tell me you are ready. I give you my word of honor.”
