Page 45 of A Gifted Earl

They dismounted and, having handed his own horse off to a groom, he walked with Lady Venetia and Lady Merringbar through the stables. When they reached Chamberlain’s stall, Lady Venetia stopped, leading the horse in.

“I will leave you here with him, whilst I show Lady Merringbar where Cloud’s stall is. A groom will be along shortly to assist, and care for him.”

She smiled at him, and his heart caught in his chest, missing a beat, for her face was stunning, when lit with that beautiful smile.

“I will remove the saddle, and rub him down with a hay wisp, so that he knows I appreciate riding him. Don’t concern yourself – I will see you back at the house.”

“If you are certain…”

It worried him a little, to leave her so, yet there were many grooms moving about the stables complex, so all should be well.

“I am quite certain.”

He bowed then, and led Lady Merringbar and her horse further along. As he turned away, Lady Venetia was already twisting a wisp out of some hay taken from Chamberlain’s haynet.

*****

Venetia twisted the wisp, even as Chamberlain tried to eat it from her hands, then took the halter and lead rope which was hanging on the corner of the stall door, and quickly slipped Chamberlain’s bridle off, and the halter on, then tied him where he could eat from his haynet. Moments later, she had undone and lifted off the sidesaddle, and deposited it over the top of the stall door, which she pulled not quite closed, so that it did not obstruct the walkway.

Then she set to, running the wisp vigorously over the horse’s back and sides, removing the sweat and saddle marks. The gelding shut his eyes, and leaned into the pressure of it a little, like a cat leans into a hand scratching it under the chin. She laughed softly, and relaxed, enjoying the scent of horse and hay, and the simple task of giving an animal pleasure in return for its service to her.

She lost herself in the moment, so much so that, when, bare minutes later, a hand slipped around her waist and she was pulled back against a lean body, she dropped the wisp and nearly screamed – nearly, because a hand came up to cover her mouth, and cut the sound off.