Josie laughed uncomfortably. “Miss Svana, please! Oh, no. No, it’s all quite fine,” she said. “I’m perfectly alright without the fuss.”
I glared at her.
“Aren’t I?” she asked.
“No.” I pursed my lips. “No, I think you want the fuss.”
She craned into a shared secrecy with me, stole a glance at Ser Willoughby, then sighed as I tapped my foot at her.
She whispered,“It’s really fine.”
“It’s not fine,”I told her.“You’ll understand my complete and downright bafflement as to why you did not leap upon that opportunity.”
“I know,” she said. “Iknow,but… I’ve never ridden a horse before. And Daniel, he’s quite qualified.”
“You’ve never ridden a horse before?” I asked. “What? How is that possible?”
“I know it’s shocking,” she said. “But they are large, and I am not.”
“You’re fearful of horses? Why did you not say anything?” I asked.
“And suffer the instant judgement of my lady? The way Sameer did? They’re so important to you,” she said. “I’m new to my position, and I didn’t wish to disappoint you.”
“Josie.”
“I’m sorry!”she said. “I just… I didn’t think it’d ever come up.”
“No. No, this is perfect. Perfectly perfect, I’m afraid.”
“It is?” she asked.
“Oh, yes,” I said, nodding menacingly. “Yes. And I know the perfect knight that would practically fall upon his sword to be the one to correct this injustice.”
“What injustice? You mean… No! No, I couldn’t possibly impose upon him in such a way. He has so much to do and-”
“Nonsense. Ser Willoughby is burdened already, watching me. It’s decided. Youshall arrive here with me tomorrow and join us for the ride.” The two of us glanced back at the boys in sync, then back. “And if you say no, and I am forced to spend another day weathering Ser Willoughby’sexcessive punsalone, I shall share every last one with you as punishment.”
“That’s hardly a punishment, Svana; I find his jokes incredibly charming,” she said.
“Of course you do.” I rolled my eyes. “And you thought not riding was your issue.”
“What?”
“Come with me,” I said. “It’ll be fun.”
“Are you certain?” she asked. “I really don’t want to intrude upon your and Mr. Evergreen’s privacy.”
“Josie,” I urged. “That’s exactlywhyI need you to come with us.”
Finally,she understood.
“Oh!”
“‘Oh’is right!” I said. “So please. I promise, you shall be in the hands of two properly skilled horse handlers and a knight. You’ll learn to ride somehow. No one should get hurt, and we’ll all be fine.”
“When you say ‘should?’”
“Oh, don’t be scared,” I said.
