Before she could change her mind on the entire afternoon, he stepped back and took her arm once more. They exited the castle without another word exchanged between them and approached the iron gate. Since Iseabail’s pregnancy, the castle gates had remained drawn with the footmen standing guard outside the gate and it had seemed like another prison wall barring her from life ever since they’d arrived at Caerlaverock for Iseabail’s confinement period. The duchess had been as protective of her unborn babe as if it were the next regent.
The guards opened the gate to a winter wonderland that covered the landscape, and a gorgeous red sleigh adorned with plush crimson cushions and gold trim awaited them. The ducal crest was emblazoned on the side, and a groom held the reins toa single bay horse that snorted and shook its black mane as they approached.
“Would you like to pet him?”
“Pet him?” Her mind raced to exactly what she wanted to pet, and it had nothing to do with a horse.
Joshua’s cheek twitched as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. “The horse. He’s very gentle.”
“He’s massive.” Her eyes strayed down the length of Joshua’s body, and he swore under his breath.
“He is at your command, and will do whatever you wish.” The look on his face told her exactly what he wished to do, causing the heat of anticipation to flow through her body.
Joshua escorted her over to the horse, took the reins from the groom, and held his hand out for the animal to sniff before he gently stroked the beast on the nose. He whispered softly in its ear, and as if it understood, the horse whinnied in response.
“His Royal Highness said he won’t hurt you,” Joshua confided.
“His Royal Highness?”
“Haven’t you learned the names the Blair sisters give their horses?”
“I know there’s a pony named Prinny.”
“Yes, but he’s not the only member of the royal family. His Royal Highness outranks Prinny, at least in the stable.”
“Couldn’t that be considered treason to mock our Regent with two horses named after him in such a fashion?”
His brow crinkled in mock severity. “I believe the Blair sisters proclaimed their stable honours the royal family.”
“But will the Prince Regent see it as such?”
“Hopefully the names of the Blair sisters’ horses in the Scottish Lowlands will never be of interest to him. Otherwise, we will have to rely on his understanding of childhood games.”
Her grin slipped and Joshua stared at her as if he were trying to see into her years in the nursery, an experience she had not shared with anyone.
“What is it?” he asked.
She knew how to pretend many things, but lying to Joshua was not something she did well. “I was just wondering what it would be like to have such frivolity as a child.”
“Well today is the day we change that.” Joshua took her hand and gently pulled her towards His Royal Highness.
With his strong, firm grip around her wrist, Phoebe reached out and allowed the horse to sniff her palm. His Royal Highness took two deep breaths and then suddenly expelled a quick, warm, moist breath over her glove. She jumped and felt Joshua close the distance between their bodies as the horse drew back its head.
“Easy, His Royal Highness,” Joshua soothed as the warmth of his body moved to touch the back of hers, and the motion had the opposite effect on her. Her breath caught as his hand came around her waist and pulled her back against his front. His fingers splayed across her stomach and she nearly moaned with the pleasure of every part of his body touching hers. His scent heightened her desire as her head fell back against his chest and his body engulfed hers. Even through the barrier of their clothing, the experience was intoxicating.
The horse calmed. Her hand shook and Joshua’s lips brushed her neck as he ducked down below the brim of her bonnet and whispered in her ear, “He won’t hurt you, trust me.”
That was the problem. She did trust him. She didn’t trust herself. It would be too easy to fall into this man’s arms and lose herself to the passion. The security. And then everything she had worked so hard to earn would be his. Not hers. His. Just like it had been with Richard.
She pulled away and stumbled. The horse yanked its head back and Phoebe strode toward the sleigh where she rigidly awaited Joshua to assist her up. He talked to His Royal Highness a bit longer and then strolled to her side, not once giving any indication that her abrupt departure dissuaded him from his goals.
He lifted her into the seat and asked, “Would you like to drive?”
“Me? I’ve never driven a conveyance in my life. I’ve never even ridden on a horse.”
“Truly? Not even as a young girl?”
“Never. I was learning how to become a lady.”
