“Why? What are you going to do?”
“Encourage your horse to move. Now, hand them over.” He barked the order.
She hesitated at first, but the force of his command and his piercing gaze had her unwillingly complying. Encased in brown leather, his hand seemed huge as she slipped the reins over his palm.
Uneasy without the reins in her hands, she gripped the low pommel to steady herself and waited.
Lord Grump eased his mount forward, but Dolly would have none of it. Everything happened so quickly. Dolly reared, pulling the reins from his grip, and tumbling Anne to the ground.
“Miss Weatherby!” Lord Grump leapt from his mount.
Before either of them could realize it, Dolly took off in a flash back to the stables.
“I didn’t think she had it in her,” Anne said as Dolly’s rump disappeared in a blur.
Lord Moody-Manning crouched down beside her. “Are you injured?”
From his expression, she could almost believe he cared, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing how much her bottom hurt. “No. No thanks to you. What made you think that was a good idea?”
“I didn’t know she was nappy. I wonder how long it’s been since the stablemaster has taken her out.”
He rose and extended a hand, which she refused. She turned in the direction of Dolly’s escape. “Now what do we do?”
Lord Grumpy-Trousers rubbed the back of his neck. “I should escort you back to the house.”
“We can’t leave Miranda and Mr. Grey alone!” Did the man have no sense of propriety?
“You’re right.” While Major nibbled on some tender grass, the grouch paced and muttered to himself, “You can’t ride my horse. Not with your skirts, and Burwood is particular with Major.”
“Oh, for goodness’ sakes. I’ll walk. It’s not that far.”
He glowered at her. “Let you walk while I ride? I’d look like a cad. No. Absolutely not.”
“Well, what do you propose, then, o-epitome-of-gentlemanly-behavior?”
“We both ride. On Major.”
Speechless for a moment, she stared before finding her voice. “Are you proposing I ride on your lap?”
“We can reach Grey and Lady Miranda in a few moments. No one will presume anything untoward has happened.”
She huffed. Although she hated to admit it, his solution was the most efficient. “Very well. But make note that I am only agreeing to this for expediency’s sake.”
“And I’m only doing it so we can finish this farce of a ride.” He mounted Major and held out his hand. “Put your foot on my boot, and I’ll lift you up.”
“You don’t have to be so bossy,” she mumbled. She’d barely placed her hand in his and her foot on his boot when he lifted her onto his lap as if she weighed nothing.
His arms pressed against her sides as he controlled the reins and eased Major forward. And oh, she’d forgotten how lovely he smelled, the fragrance of shaving soap and citrusy bergamot even stronger up close.
In probably at least half the time it would have taken her on her own, they reached Miranda and Mr. Grey, who seemed to be deep in conversation, but pulled apart upon seeing Anne and the grump approach.
Mr. Grey’s eyes widened upon seeing them both on Major. “That was faster than we anticipated. What happened to your horse, Miss Weatherby?”
“The beast was nappy,” Lord I-Know-Everything said. “I tried to give it a bit of encouragement, and it reared, throwing Miss Weatherby from the saddle before running back to the stables.”
Miranda nudged her horse closer. “Are you injured, Anne?”
“No.” And honestly, her sore bottom felt rather nice against Lord Grump.Dash it all!
