“Nothing,” Rupert said. “These horses like to ride together, apparently.”
“The devil you say,” Lord Leland muttered.
“I am terribly sorry,” Lady Delia said.
“Nonsense, we are fine, aren’t we?” Rupert said. In truth, he thought it nice having her close. It didn’t bother him in the least.
As soon as the three ahead of them went from a walk to a trot, Rupert did the same.
Lady Delia yelped and began a steady stream of noises.
“Oh, oh, oh,”she said, her voice jerking with the horse’s hooves.
He smiled at her over his shoulder. She grimaced back.
In another few moments, when they broke into an easy canter, Lady Delia shrieked loudly. At the same time, his hand holding the lead rope was wrenched sideways. Looking back, he realized Lady Delia was pulling hard upon Blossom’s reins in an effort to stop, causing the horse to hold its head high.
Above the bit, as his father called it.
Immediately, he released the lead rope.Poor mare!
The others continued, but he slowed.
“If I am leading, you must not tug on the reins.” He kept his tone calm, but even then, the horse was raising and lowering her head, shaking it. “Blossom will not take kindly to such abuse of her mouth.”
“I apologize. I was caught by surprise,” Lady Delia said, patting the horse’s neck.
“Are you ready?” he asked. “Shall I take the lead rope again, or can you manage?”
She nodded, which told him nothing.
“Shall I take the lead rope?”
“No, my lord, I believe I have the hang of it.”
“If you’re sure,” he said. Reaching down, he managed to grab the lead and toss it over the Blossom’s neck. “Leave it there. Don’t let it slip off.”
“I will be careful,” she said stiffly. “Go ahead.”
A little uneasy, Rupert urged his horse forward, unable to keep from turning to make sure she followed.
After a delay, she and Blossom were walking behind him.
“Ready to trot?”
No answer.
“Ready to trot, Lady Delia?” he repeated.
“Yes,” came the hissed reply.
After trotting for a few feet, once more he increased the pace to a canter.
He hated to keep bothering her so he didn’t turn. Besides, he could hear her making all sorts of sounds behind him. At least he knew she was still there.
They had made it to the open field, where the kingcups grew. He hoped she didn’t take umbrage at crushing a few under hoof. A furlong ahead, having halted, was the rest of their small group.
Breaking into a canter, he reached them swiftly and stopped. They all watched Lady Delia approach at an uncomfortable, jarring trot.
