Of course, Julianna would never have asked Rhys to teach Mary if she thought he would be an unsuitable teacher for her sister. She’d seen him around horses enough during their courtship and since he’d been pretending to be a groomsman to know that he was quite knowledgeable. He was arrogant, of course, but something told her that he took Mary’s concerns seriously. Julianna was confident that he would make this as painless as possible for her sister.
Rhys turned his full attention to Mary. He spoke to her in a calm, reassuring voice and he looked straight into her eyes. “Before I went upstairs, I asked Henry to saddle Whisper. She’s the calmest horse in Lord Clayton’s stables. I think you’ll like her very much.”
Mary only nodded, her eyes wide as tea saucers. “She certainly sounds as if she’s the correct horse if one is judging on name alone.”
Rhys laughed. “Precisely, my lady. Now, come with me.”
Ignoring Julianna again, Rhys offered Mary his arm and led her out into the barnyard where Henry and Whisper were already standing.
Whisper was a beautiful sorrel mare, slight of stature, clearly with a tame and serene disposition. The horse stood quietly eating an apple out of Henry’s hand.
“She doesn’t look so frightening,” Mary whispered, her throat working as she swallowed.
Julianna’s heart ached for her sister. “Be brave,” she called softly as Rhys escorted Mary over to meet the horse.
“First, you must be properly introduced,” Rhys said. “Lady Mary, this is Whisper. Miss Whisper, this is Lady Mary.”
The horse merely blinked her big doleful dark eyes at Mary.
“Nice to meet you.” Mary’s voice shook slightly as she performed a slight curtsy.
“Would you like to touch her?” Rhys offered Mary next.
Tears sprang to Julianna’s eyes as she watched Mary reach out and softly pat Whisper on the head. Whisper stamped her hoof and continued to crunch her apple.
Mary retracted her hand, laughing softly. “She’s lovely.”
The horse pushed her muzzle under Mary’s hand and Mary’s delighted squeal made Julianna’s heart clench.
“She likes you,” Rhys said to Mary with a kind smile. “And I don’t blame her.”
“I don’t blame her either,” Henry added.
Mary blushed and glanced away from the young groomsman.
Julianna smiled. Whatever problems she’d had with Rhys in the past, he was being kind and patient with her sister and that made her throat tight. He might be Detestable, but even she had to admit he wasn’tentirelydetestable. Not today at least. Not if he was being so good to Mary. Mary didn’t deserve his ire, of course, but a lesser man would have taken his anger at Julianna out on her sister.
“You’re not so bad at all,” Mary said encouragingly to Whisper.
“Would ye like ta give her an apple, milady?” Henry asked Mary.
Mary glanced back at Julianna as if to ask for guidance.
Julianna nodded encouragingly. “Go ahead.”
“As long as you’re certain she won’t bite me,” Mary replied to Henry.
Henry placed a small apple in Mary’s hand, and she squeezed her eyes shut and held her hand toward Whisper’s mouth.
“It’s all right,” Rhys said, guiding Mary’s hand closer. “She won’t bite, I promise. Which is more than I can say for your sister.”
Mary was obviously too worried about a potential bite from the horse to hear that little dig. She kept her eyes closed and her hand out. But Julianna heard it and she waited for Rhys to glance back at her before she gave him a smile that saidjust wait till I get done with you.
Whisper nibbled the apple out of Mary’s hand and Mary’s joyful laugh further delighted Julianna. She clasped her hands together. “You’re not frightened, are you, Mary?” she called.
“Not at all,” Mary replied, opening her eyes and staring in awe at the horse’s large head. “It’s a bit ticklish, if I’m honest.”
Rhys laughed again. “It is, isn’t it? Whisper loves apples. She’s certain to favor you for giving her one.”
