“I didn’t think you’d be awake at this hour, Mr. Worthy.” Julianna called in the sweet voice he’d come to recognize as the one she liked to use when she was pretending to be nothing more than a house guest with a penchant for visiting the stables every chance she got.
“And I didn’t think your tongue would be so sharp this early, Lady Julianna,” he replied in his most accommodating groomsman-like tone. “I suppose we both must suffer being wrong.”
Mary crossed her arms over her chest and glanced back and forth between the two of them before shaking her head. “Mr. Worthy, I was hoping you’d do me the favor of providing me with another riding lesson.”
Rhys turned his full attention to Mary and bowed. “Lady Mary, I’d like nothing more,” he said with all the sincerity he truly felt. He was nothing but pleased that Lady Mary had seen fit to allow him to continue with her lessons. It meant that she trusted him, and there could be no greater compliment for a trainer than that.
“I’ll just go get Whisper saddled,” he called to her.
Lady Mary nodded.
Rhys gave Julianna a tight grin. “Don’t miss me too much, my lady.”
“I’lltrynot to,” she replied in tone that dripped with sarcasm.
Was he missing his guess, or were theyenjoyingribbing each other at this point? He had to admit, he found himself looking forward to her next verbal jab and coming up with his riposte. He whistled to himself as he headed toward Whisper’s stall.
Minutes later, Rhys returned with Whisper, but he hadn’t yet saddled the horse. “I thought I’d show you how to prepare her for a ride,” he said, smiling at Mary.
Mary returned his smile. “I’d like that very much.”
While Julianna stood silently nearby, Rhys showed Mary the proper way to put the blanket on the horse’s back and then the proper way to fit and fasten the sidesaddle.
“Of course, given the number of servants your father no doubt employs,” Rhys said. “I realize you will not be doing much of your own saddling, Lady Mary, but a proper horsewoman understands the fundamentals of such things in case she is ever called upon to know them in a difficult situation.”
“I agree with you completely,” Julianna said.
Rhys eyed her carefully, waiting for the additional snide comment that was certain to follow. When she merely blinked at him innocently, he continued, “Anyone I teach will be prepared for all eventualities.”
“I see,” Julianna replied. “Like perhaps the eventuality that you up and leave in the middle of a lesson, never to be heard from for, say, months?”
Ah, there it was. Over Mary’s head, Rhys gave Julianna a tight smile.
For her part, Mary gave Julianna a quelling glance. “Why would you ask that, Anna?” Then she turned to Rhys, “You’re not planning to leave, are you, Mr. Worthy?”
“Not at all, Mary,” Rhys replied. “You’renot the type of young lady one leaves.”
Nearly growling, Julianna ground her boot into the dirt. She was most likely imagining it was his face. Ha.
Once the saddle had been properly fitted and Rhys had helped a slightly trembling Mary atop it, he spent the next hour leading her gently around the paddock while Mary clung to the reins, her knee firmly ensconced around the horn.
Julianna, of course, took advantage of every opportunity to exasperate him.
When they walked past her and Rhys said, “Keep your back straight and your shoulders centered—the horse can tell when you’re not confident.” Julianna said, “Yes, listen to him, Mary. Mr. Worthy here is a master at confidence. Some might even sayarrogance.”
When they trotted past and Rhys said, “If you lean forward, the horse can guess what you want,” Julianna replied with, “Yes, and Mr. Worthy is an expert at knowing what ladies want.”
And when they came by at a slow canter and Rhys said, “Just let me know when you’re tired and we can take a small break,” Julianna didn’t miss a beat when she shot back, “Don’t listen to him, Anna. I happen to know Mr. Worthy doesn’t know what asmall breakis.”
“What doesthatmean?” Mary asked, frowning.
“Yes,” Rhys said. “Whatdoesthat mean, my lady?” He blinked innocently at Julianna.
“Oh, nothing,” she said to Mary, ignoring Rhys. “I’m sorry. Please continue with your lesson.”
Mary shook her head and promptly returned to clutching at the saddle for dear life. It wasn’t until they’d been at their lesson for the better part of two hours that Mary announced that she thought she might be able to ride about the paddock alone for the first time and Rhys happily obliged. He waited in the center, watching her like a mother hen and its chick for several rounds before he strolled over toward the barn door to stand next to Julianna.
“She’s truly getting the hang of it,” Rhys said.
