Marcus opened the stall gate, and she stepped inside. She looked behind her to find him closing it and staying outside. She smiled her appreciation. Approaching Hector as she had upon her last visit, she held out her hand and allowed him to recognize her scent. “Good afternoon, Hector. Would you like to go outside? The sun is shining and there’s a slight breeze that I know you will enjoy.”
She moved her hand to his neck and gently stroked. “I promise you will always be treated kindly.”
When he didn’t pull away, she ran her hands over his back. He had excellent stature and with a bit more weight would be a healthy horse. “We are going to make sure you have plenty to eat and fresh bedding and lots of exercise. Would you like that?”
She continued her inspection running her hands over his side and hind quarters where scars marked his abuse. It brought tears to her eyes, but she didn’t let her sadness change her voice. “I would very much like to take you for a ride and see what you like to do. Would you enjoy that?”
Marcus’ soft chuckle had her looking at him. “Why do you laugh?”
He pointed to Hector’s head. “Every time you ask him a question, his ear flicks.”
“Truly?”
Marcus dropped his hand. “He just did it again.”
She turned her attention back to the horse and watched his head as she patted his back. “We’re going to have you saddled, but I’ll be right here with you. Then we’ll go for a short ride. Are you ready for a gallop?”
Sure enough, his left ear flicked. “Oh, you are such a smart horse. I will have to teach you to answer my many questions. I have a feeling you could learn to. Are you that intelligent?”
At the flick of his ear, she grinned. “I think it’s time to bring a groom in.”
She continued to speak soothingly to Hector until Marcus came back, but instead of a groom, he’d left his tailcoat and waistcoat behind and carried the saddle.
“I think it best if we take this slow until he feels safe with us.”
Her heart filled that he used the word “us.” They would soon be man and wife and they could share their love of horses and riding. They could work together with the horses. It had been a young woman’s dream and now it would be her life.
She remained with Hector, continually talking, as Marcus fitted the sidesaddle. Once it was cinched, she walked the horse outside.
He brought out a mare. “Hector, this is Ebba and she’s the kindest horse you will ever meet.”
The two horses sniffed at each other. She waited, to allow Hector time to know Ebba. When the mare rubbed against Hector, he quivered. Had he been ostracized by other animals too? With her heart breaking, she stepped between the two horses. “I think we should go for a short ride.”
“I agree.” Marcus pulled Ebba away. “There is not much property here, but it’s a short ride to the parish church.” He walked Ebba outside.
After Marcus helped her into the saddle, he mounted.
“Hector, let’s go for a walk.” The horse started to move, keeping pace with Ebba as they started down the drive at a sedate pace. Once on the road, she flicked the reins to see what Hector would do, but he didn’t do anything except continue as he was. Puzzled, she tried again, but still nothing. She looked at Marcus. “Why don’t you and Ebba ride ahead. Maybe he’ll want to catch up.”
With a quick nod, he urged Ebba into a trot.
She flicked the reins again, but still Hector didn’t show any interest in moving faster. Why had he started walking when they left the stable? “Hector, would you like to follow Ebba?” His ear quirked back but he didn’t move any faster. Not sure what to do, she patted his neck and flicked the reins, but nothing happened.
Maybe she needed to state her wishes. “My dear Hector. Follow Ebba, please.” She flicked the reins and he started into a trot. She tamped down the surge of success. She may have simply been lucky.
Ebba and Marcus were still far ahead. “Hector, catch up to Ebba.” As soon as she flicked the reins and leaned forward, he shot forward into a pleasant gallop. She laughed, thrilled that she’d discovered Hector’s preferred direction.
As they shot past Marcus, he grinned, before giving chase. Soon they were racing down the road. He pulled ahead on Ebba and turned them down a left fork in the road where she noticed a church not far off. “Hector, slow down.” She pulled back on the reins and he slowed.
She turned him into the churchyard and brought him to a halt. “Good boy. She patted his neck and stroked him, encouraging his good behavior.
Marcus turned to face them. “His stride is smooth. I see no reason why anyone would have problems with him.”
She grinned. “I do. I don’t know who trained him, but he only obeys commands when I say his name, and it can’t be in a question.”
He raised his brows, obviously not convinced. “Show me.”
She appreciated that he didn’t dismiss her knowledge out of turn like he had at the horse jobbers when she’d told him of her horses’ defensive talents. “Of course. First, I will flick the reins and lean forward.”
