Killian ran his hand over her hair, savouring the silky texture. ‘Are you alright?’
The sounds of the forest enveloped them. A woodpigeon called from the tree above while wind rustled in the leaves.
‘Of course.’ Hannah pushed away from him, her cheeks pale, her eyes unnaturally bright. ‘I didn’t expect…’
‘For someone to shoot at us? No. Neither did I. Are you sure you are unhurt?’
‘I’m perfectly sound.’ She swiped at her hair, regaining some of the tartness he found so charming. ‘Despite being completely inept as my horse careened into the forest. Despite being totally useless as you rushed in to save me. Despite wasting an opportunity to chase after the bastard who shot at us.’ Hannah’s voice was sharp in the quiet woods. Starlight stamped a hoof, and Hannah flinched.
Killian shouldn’t smile. He shouldn’t laugh, but the chuckle rumbled up despite his best efforts to stay serious. Relief flooded him. If she was annoyed, she couldn’t be too rattled. ‘You don’t play the damsel in distress very well.’
Hannah narrowed her gaze and pointed a finger at his chest. ‘Because I’m not. I’m completely capable of taking care of myself. If it wasn’t for the bloody horse taking off like a cannon.’
‘Wonderful. Shall we pursue the shooter?’ He raised his eyebrows and used his most charming smile.
Hannah’s eyes widened, her mouth fell open in a silent objection. ‘What about the picnic? The group will wonder what happened to us. Philippa will worry if we don’t arrive.’
Killian shrugged. ‘We’ll hurry. We can follow the culprit and see if he heads towards the village or in another direction, then double back and meet the party as they return. We’ll tell them it took longer to fix Starlight’s bridle than we thought, and she took you on a bit of a wild ride.’
Hannah bit her lip. Her cheeks were as pale as the moon on a dark night. ‘I can’t. I can’t ride.’
Killian knew well the fear of falling. But he also knew the importance of standing back up again.
If Hannah didn’t get back on Starlight, she would hate herself for it. Worse, she may let the moment grow so big in her mind, itwould paralyse her. She might never ride again. That would be a terrible waste. Because she enjoyed it, when she forgot to be afraid.
He chose his words carefully. ‘You don’t have to get on Starlight again. The gunman has probably escaped, so you shouldn’t blame yourself.’ He shrugged. ‘Everyone is afraid of something. It’s certainly nothing to be ashamed of.’
Her eyes darkened, and her lips hardened into a stubborn line. ‘You’re just trying to needle me into getting back on her.’ Hannah stepped away from him and closer to Starlight. She put a tentative hand on Starlight’s flank. ‘You can’t dare me into doing something I don’t want to do.’
‘I know. I’m not daring you. A lot of people are terrified of horses. You certainly aren’t alone. Why don’t I walk the horses back to the stable? We’ll get you inside for a nice warm cup of tea?’
Hannah scowled at him. ‘I don’t need a cup of tea. I’m not a helpless ninny.’ She turned back to Starlight. Moving to the horse’s left shoulder, Hannah turned to face Killian. ‘Help me up.’
Killian bit his lip to stop from smiling. His hunch played out. He gripped her waist and leaned closer. It would be so easy to steal a kiss. But in the quiet solitude of the forest, he didn’t trust himself to stop at just a kiss. Instead, he focused on the shape of her waist beneath his fingers, her soft hair tickling his nose, and the intoxicating scent of orange and vanilla as he lifted her onto the saddle.
‘Which way did he go?’ Hannah’s hands trembled as she adjusted the reins. Killian hoped it was her reaction to him and not fear of riding.
He quickly mounted his horse and turned him. ‘This way. We’ll go slowly until we’re out of the forest. When we increase ourgait, she’ll lift her head, so make sure you tighten your reins. Keep your hands low and steady.’
‘I know. Don’t show fear. Don’t fall off. Don’t die.’
Killian craned his neck around. ‘What was that?’
‘I said, let’s ride.’ Hannah’s voice was tight, but she wouldn’t back down now that he challenged her courage. She was breathtakingly brave and maddeningly stubborn.
They made their way out of the woods, and when the horses were back on level ground, Killian urged his stallion from walk to trot to canter. He kept his eyes on Hannah, half expecting her to fall behind, but he was getting used to her proving him wrong.
Starlight might be gentle, but she was also swift. The mare and her rider kept pace with Killian and his horse. When he was convinced Hannah had regained some confidence and wouldn’t lose her seat, he let his stallion have his head and galloped across the fields west toward the village.
He kept his gaze scanning the rolling hills for any signs of a rider, but the shooter was gone. They rode almost to the village without seeing any definitive traces of a man on horseback.
Killian reined his horse to a walk. ‘Wherever he went, I don’t think we’ll find him.’ Disappointment tasted bitter on his tongue.
‘I wasted too much time in the forest. My stupid ineptitude…’ Hannah’s voice trailed off, and she clenched her teeth. Tears glittered in her eyes. Killian guessed it was frustration, not fear.
‘It isn’t your fault. When a horse is spooked like that, it’s almost impossible to control. You mustn’t be so hard on yourself.’ As a Lieutenant General, he was used to being critical of his men when needed, but Hannah gave herself no grace.
‘Why shouldn’t I be? The world makes no allowances for mistakes, Your Grace. Neither can I.’
