Angela snorts as she sips her coffee. “He’d better be able to. He was with the Met’s mounted patrol before he transferred over to the protection side.”
Art was a mounted police officer? He’s never said anything to me. I glance away as my cheeks warm. I feel like that’s something I should’ve known. Then again, he isn’t one who volunteers much information to me. Not that he’s supposed to. Technically speaking, as he might say, it’s not proper protocol. I manage a smile. “Brilliant. You can borrow one of my horses. I’d hate to leave Sefton behind in the stables.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’d better go grab my kit from the car.”
Art departs and leaves Angela and me alone. We walk up the stairs to the member services desk, which houses the club’s concierge.
“Art is full of surprises. What else is he hiding?”
“A lot.” Angela laughs. “But don’t bother asking me about them. They’re his secrets to share, not mine.”
“I doubt he’d ever willingly share them with me.”
“I don’t know, I bet he would. You’re already getting him to actually speak to you quicker than any person I’ve met.”
“I am?” I blink, surprised.
“Mm-hmm. We’ve been partners since we entered the training academy, and it took about six months for me to be able to hold a decent conversation with him.”
We pause a few feet from the concierge desk. “Is he quiet around the rest of the security team too?”
“Yes.” Angela lowers her voice. “Some of the daytime shift call him the human robot behind his back.”
I exhale sharply. “Are you serious? That’s horrid.” He’s quiet, but he’s by no means a robot. He has lots of different expressions; it just takes some time to discover them. Like when he needs coffee, he grunts. When he’s hangry, his tone is clipped. When he is embarrassed, the tips of his ears and back of his neck redden.
If I ever hear someone using that nickname, they’ll find themselves receiving a dressing down from me that would rival one from Papa. Ifthere’s one thing I refuse to tolerate, it’s name-calling. Words are far more powerful and hurtful than people give them credit for.
“I agree with you one hundred percent. Art may not be a man of many words, but he’s absolutely brilliant at his job. He’s one of those people who notices when the slightest thing is amiss, like the time there was a suspicious package left in front of HQ. Some officers walked right by it, but not Art. He noticed it straightaway and called in the experts. He even recently set the department’s new bench-press record. If I were in your shoes, Art’s the man I’d want protecting me. Your father personally selected him for you.”
“Do you hold any department records?”
“Distance running.” Angela smirks. “None of the lads can keep up with me.”
I high-five her. “I’m lucky to have you on board too.”
We reach the concierge desk, and I pick up the clothing that’s been left for me. As I step into the changing room, I wonder just what type of riding kit Art will be dressed in.
Eleven
The short ride over from Charlie’s to Hyde Park is filled with a discussion on show jumping.
“I competed in it on and off as a teenager, but it’s never something I intended to pursue professionally. After I took a bad tumble last year, I had to give it all up while I was healing. I’m only just getting back into riding now,” I tell Eric.
“I’m so sorry. I remember hearing about your injury in the news,” he says.
“That’s in the past now. I’m just glad it’s fully healed.” What I don’t add is that I’m still in the process of getting back to being able to take long, enjoyable rides for pleasure. Forget the jumping. I shift my attention back to him. “Eddie’s told me that you have to learn how to do a few basic jumps near the end of phase one of the cavalry’s riding course.”
“Yes.” Eric groans. “It’s the week that we all dreaded. Our bums were sore for a solid two weeks from all the falling.”
“That’s rough,” I sympathize. “I didn’t learn to jump until I had a few years of experience under my belt, and I still found it challenging. I can’t imagine learning to jump after only four weeks.”
“There’s a reason it’s considered the military’s toughest course.”
“It makes me see things from a whole new perspective.” According to my brother, many of the lads who take the course have no experience with horses. They only have a matter of weeks to learn everything from the ground up. It’s definitely one of those situations where you either sink or swim.
The car pulls into a spot near the Hyde Park stables off Bayswater Road. I climb out and stretch, ignoring the dull ache in my spine. It’s a feeling I’ve gotten used to. Eric slides out from his seat at the same time as Art. That’s when I notice their attire for the first time and forget all about my physical discomfort.
My mouth goes dry. Both Eric and Art have changed into black riding breeches. Heat sears my body as I drink it all in. I didn’t realize how attractive I’d find both men in the form-fitting trousers. They’re intended to fit like a second skin and leave little to the imagination. Now I know, this is my gateway drug. Where Eric has long, lean legs, Art’s are brimming with muscle. It’s like comparing a footballer to a hockey player.
