Helena smiled at this assertion, then stroked Molly’s nose. “I wish I had an apple for her.”
“She will have one when she is home again,” he said, leading her toward the gig. He considered the height to the bench, then spoke in a murmur. “If you will permit the familiarity, MissEmerson,” he said, then fitted his hands around her waist and lifted her before she could reply.
It was glorious to feel his hands close tightly around her, to catch the scent of his skin, to feel his heat so close. Helena felt almost faint, but she strove to hide her reaction from all but the viscount. She watched through her lashes as he gave Becky his hand, helping her to the seat at the back of the gig. Then he climbed in the seat with ease and settled beside Helena. She was delighted that his thigh was so close to her own.
“We will return as quickly as possible, Lady Dalhousie,” he assured Aunt who nodded agreement. He clicked his tongue and flicked the reins, so that Molly turned and trotted through the hedge. Mischief barked from the kitchen behind them, but Helena could not have been happier.
“I am most relieved that we are to be friends again, sir,” she said when they were clear of the rhododendron hedge.
He was visibly biting back a smile. “Miss Emerson, you are as forthright as ever.”
“I think you do not mind,” she said, his manner making her doubt his statements of the day before.
“I believe you are correct.” He cast her a glance that was all simmering humor and she thought her heart might burst with satisfaction. “I do have a proposition for you, Miss Emerson.”
Helena’s heart leapt.
“As mentioned the other day, a curricle is not ideal as the first conveyance one commands. Two horses can be more challenging than one, and the vehicle itself is more prone to mishap.” He flicked a glance her way. “A gig is a more sensible place to begin, particularly with a horse such as Molly, who does not truly need much guidance.”
Helena felt her eyes widen as she understood his meaning. “You mean to let me take the reins!”
“Miss!” Becky whispered from behind her.
“One must learn sometime, in my view, and it is prudent to do as much before one is under duress.” The viscount was firm and Helena took courage from his confidence in her. “First, consider how I hold the reins. They are neither slack nor taut. I can pull on one or the other to guide Molly’s path–she will turn in the direction of the pressure. When I pull on them equally, but gently, Molly will halt.” He did as much and Molly halted. The horse blew out her lips, apparently seeing no cause to stop on the road to Southpoint, and stamped a hoof.
The viscount flicked the reins and clicked his tongue. “Walk on, Molly,” he said and she did. He encouraged the horse to a trot and then a canter as Helena watched, then slowed and halted the horse again.
“Take the reins,” he said to Helena.
“But I…”
“You can rely upon me to intervene if necessary,” he assured her.
Of course, she could. Helena cast him a triumphant smile, watched his eyes darken, then took the reins. Their gloved hands brushed in the transaction and her heart skipped, then all of her attention was upon Molly and the road ahead.
She meant to prove that his trust in her was deserved.
Miss Emerson wasas sensible and careful as Joshua had expected. She watched the horse more keenly than most people were inclined to do, but perhaps that was the influence of her brother. She surveyed her surroundings constantly and paid heed to the road ahead.
A rabbit emerged suddenly to bound across the road, an incident that might have spooked a horse less steady than Molly.Becky had scarcely gasped in alarm by the time Miss Emerson saw it and slowed their progress. The rabbit was long gone by the time they reached the point where it had appeared and Molly did not so much as flick her ears. Joshua sat back, having been braced to intervene, and simply watched his companion.
It was clear that she both welcomed the opportunity and enjoyed the challenge of learning a new skill. “You must correct me when I err, sir,” she said, sparing him only a fleeting glance.
“I would not hesitate to do as much, Miss Emerson, but it appears that you already know how to do this.”
She laughed. “I do not. I suspect that you have contrived my success.”
“Do not fail to grant Molly her due,” he said and she laughed again. Then she sobered and slowed Molly to pass Southpoint, taking the bend in the road at a sedate pace. Joshua saw Captain Emerson emerge from his stable and look after them, shading his eyes from the sun with one hand as he took a better look. Joshua raised a hand to wave and saw surprise on the other man’s face before he grinned. Then Miss Emerson completed the turn and Southpoint was lost behind them, Molly being urged to a trot once more.
Joshua watched Miss Emerson, his admiration of her growing with every meeting. She was audacious and bold, but not overly so. She enjoyed whatever opportunity presented, and he was convinced that she was not as foolish as her aunt and relations might believe.
She had need of a husband and protector, in his view, no more than that, and he believed that matter would shortly be resolved.
“I do not think I can manage Haynesdale Hollow just yet,” Miss Emerson confided as that village drew nearer.
“You have done very well for a first attempt,” Joshua acknowledged.
She urged Molly to a halt, then returned the reins to him, her exultation clear.
