“You did not need to be so rude,” I said. “That was my first time meeting Mr. Henry, sir.”
“Yes, yes,” he replied. “May it be the last.”
He moved us to the cobblestone toward the castle. Around us, the garden still clung to droplets of rain, but every maid,every footman, and everypersonwe passed was very dry, and we were not. For it, we drew every single eye.
“I apologize for Henry,” Cyrus said. “He’s a meddler.”
“A meddler?” I asked.
“Yes,” he said.
“If you say so. But what did he say?” I asked.
He shook his head as we came up to the gate. “Can you manage past this point?” He gestured to his clothes. “I’d like to change.”
“I’m sure no one will mind if we make a mess. I’m terribly wet myself.”
“Eeey,” he said, rolling his neck. “Don’t…” He looked around and hushed his words. “Don’t say things like that, Princess. It doesn’t— It isn't asinnocentas you intend it to be. You’re actually inciting terrible thoughts every time you mention it.”
My cheeks lit, though I hadnoidea what it was hethoughtI was saying or why it wasn’tinnocent.
“That I’m wet?” I asked. It was the only word I could isolate. He blinked obnoxiously, so I moved in.“Pray, what does wet mean to you, sir?”
Cyrus’s mouth pursed. “Nothing.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Do the afternoons work for you? Or would you rather we start sooner? Sameer picked this time, but we have clashing ideas of productivity.”
“You mean to sayyouwant an earlier start?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“I’ve never been much of a morning bird, but if that’s what works for you,” I said.
“You don’t like mornings?” he asked.
“Not especially,” I said. “I’ve always hated them. However, you’re the only one of us with an actual meaning here in Chalke. And you seem to help Henry quite often. I can’t imagine this does not eat into your shift. So I can be available for you.”
“I help Henry because I’m bored, and because he’s old, and because he’s always been nice to me. My role, mymeaningas you called it, is to ready His Highness for the swordsmanship events at the Games every year. As those have passed, it’ll be Autumn before I’m needed again. Beyond Wednesdays.”
“But youarefriends,” I said. “You go places together; you went to town together. I’m sure you’ve got many plans for adventures still.“
“If you do not wish to continue riding with me, speak now or forever hold your peace.” His eyes were serious. “It will save us both time and my nerves, as I am not in the habit of forcing women to do things against their will. I’d hate to consider I was doing that every ride.”
To do thingsbewildered me, and I wasn’t sure if he’d meant to bringthatthought into play.
I couldn’t resist revisiting the vulgarities the ladies had discussed—riding him— but I couldn’t think about anything but the way he’d adjusted my posture on the horse and his fingers in my hair.
“Um, I didn’t saythat.”I smoothed my blouse. “I just don’t wish to be a burden to you, even by the Prince’s command. You may not be the ostler by title, butyou seem to spend a decent amount of time working for or on his behalf. I know how long those hours can be, and I don’t wish to add to or interfere with them.”
Cyrus made a point to look at the sky as the sun relaxed into the hills and the evening hours moved into place. Shadows danced across his strict jaw as he turned back to me with an annoyed expression on his face.
“Do you?” he asked.
“Do I what?”
“I find it difficult to believe a princess knowsanythingabout a hard day’s work. No, you have people to do these things foryou; that’s why you prefer afternoons: because you have the luxury of sleeping in. Yes? So, please, don’t embarrass yourself and say shit just to say it,” he said.
Shocked, I stood there without a word to wield. His mouth parted, but no real apology arrived.
“Forgive my language,” he said.
