As she went downstairs to meet him, she wondered if their time would include kissing lessons. Though he was her first experience, she felt he was an excellent kisser. She felt things she never had before.
Walking into the drawing room, she grinned seeing him interacting with Sam. He had a piece of apple, Sam’s favorite in one hand and was lowly speaking to the macaw.
“Good morning,” she said.
As he turned to greet her, the parrot grabbed the apple from Lucien’s fingers. The move startled Lucien as he wasn’t expecting Sam to make such a movement. “Good morning,” he echoed, looking between Sam and her.
“One must be on their toes around Sam. Especially when one has an apple. Apples are his favorite.”
“Thanks for the advice. Despite his greediness for apples, he’s quite smart and gorgeous. His colors are simply remarkable.”
“He is and as you know Daphne adores him.”
“Yes, I know. Arthur has grown quite fond of him as well. He’s amazed at the things Sam is capable of.”
Lucien neared, leaving Sam to finish his bite of apple. “You look ready to ride. That color is very becoming on you.”
Harriet felt her cheeks heat up at the compliment. “Thank you. Are you ready?”
“Yes, shall we get started?” he asked as he guided her towards the door.
“Are we going to ride over to the park?”
“I thought we’d take my landau since it’s such a beautiful day. I also didn’t want you to ride in the streets just yet when you’re not comfortable riding astride.”
“That’s so thoughtful. Thank you.”
He nodded with a lopsided grin. “Your safety is more important.”
They walked side by side to his landau which was parked in the drive in front of the house. He assisted her in before climbing in himself. The day was splendid. The sun was shining with few clouds, the sky a magnificent shade of blue.
“Tell me about this horse you’ve chosen for me,” Harriet said.
“After much consideration, I chose a gelding for you to get comfortable on. He’s about ten, gentle and patient. I think you’ll enjoy Jack.”
“Jack?”
“Yes. My mother named him as my father originally purchased him for her,” Lucien replied.
“Your mother still rides him?”
“Occasionally. She doesn’t ride when she’s in London. Only in the country.”
“Ah.”
Foot traffic began to increase as they neared the park. And why not? It was a gorgeous day, and no one stayed inside on days such as these. Once the landau entered the park, the foot traffic and number of carriages seemed to double. The carriage veered off down a smaller path until they reached a few of Lucien’s liveried footmen. They were easy to recognize in their dark-blue coats.
Once they climbed out, they were met by his coachman. Two others led two horses to them. One she recognized as Lucien’s black stallion, Onyx. The other, a gray, was obviously Jack.
Lucien led her over to Jack. A footman followed with a mounting block for her. “This is Jack. He’s very much a gentleman and very well mannered.”
She patted the gray on the neck and spoke lowly to him as she waited for Lucien to give her further directions.
Lucien stood by her as she climbed the steps, held on to the front of the saddle, and swung her right leg across Jack’s back. She sat still, getting used to the unfamiliar saddle. It was comfortable, but still it felt strange to be sitting on a horse this way.
“Very good,” Lucien said. “How do you feel?”
“It’s a little strange.”
