“There,” she said.
The Duke followed her gaze. He moved with measured confidence, raising a hand to still her instinctive step forward.
“Slowly,” he said. “Do not approach him directly. If we frighten him, he will run.”
“Frankly, I am not certain I should approach at all.”
“What do you mean? You released them without fear.”
“That was from a distance,” she replied. “And through a gate.”
The horse lifted its head. His Grace regarded it for a moment.
“Since you seemed so eager for early riding lessons, this appears to be your opportunity.”
Her heart stuttered.
“I did not say I wished to ride.”
“Yes, you did.”
He stepped closer to her, and she realized that she, indeed, had said exactly that. It had been a weak excuse at best, and he had to have known that it was untrue, and now he was getting his revenge.
Which, she reasoned, was quite deserved.
“Do you trust me?” he asked, and the question unsettled her more than the horse ever could.
“I do not know,” she admitted.
“Then it may well be all right, though I cannot quite guarantee it.”
She hesitated, then nodded once. There was no use arguing. They approached the horse together, and he spoke softly to it. Cassandra mirrored him as best she could, but her pulse was loud in her ears, every muscle tense.
When the horse took a step toward them, she nearly retreated.
“It senses tension,” he murmured. “Breathe.”
She forced herself to inhale, then exhale, slow and deliberate. The horse lowered its head again, accepting their presence.
“Well done,” His Grace said.
He showed her how to hold her hand, how to let the horse smell her glove. When its warm breath brushed her skin, she startled despite herself. He smiled faintly at that.
“Would you look at that? You are still alive.”
“By some miracle, yes.”
They prepared the horse together. When he helped her mount, his hands steady at her waist, she became acutely aware of the closeness, the care with which he handled her fear without comment or condescension.
“You may dismount if you wish,” he said quietly. “I will not blame you if you choose to return on foot.”
She considered it for a moment, then shook her head.
“No. If I dismount now, I will never do this again.”
“Very well.”
They rode slowly at first, side by side. Cassandra gripped the reins too tightly, but gradually it became easier.
