Page 74 of Modern Romance November 2024 5-8

‘You’re not a very nice teacher,’ she said, when he snapped at her fourth attempt to mount a very placid Josie.

‘Because I’m not a teacher,’ he said. ‘I offered the best horseman in Janana to give you a lesson. But, oh, no...’

‘You’re not very patient.’

‘And you’re not very good at listening.’

‘I’ve never been so close to a dog, let alone a horse.’

He felt his heart crack as he thought of all the horses he had, the cats and the dogs, and the birds that tapped on the palace windows.

Then he thought of her not stroking the little foal, and how fiercely she guarded her heart. He could feel she was trusting him, knew she was flirting, and it felt like a gift.

He wanted that gift, and yet what did he offer in return?

‘Can you move that stool?’ she asked.

‘It’s called a mounting block,’ he corrected. ‘And it’s where it should be.’

She stood up, trying it all over again.

‘Balance your weight,’ he told her.

‘I am,’ she said. ‘It’s the getting my leg...’

Josie really was rather large, and he saw Violet just couldn’t stretch her leg far enough, so ended up lying prone over the saddle.

‘Violet!’ he snapped—but not in a terse way. It was more like the noise the velvet rope had made as it slithered over her head.

And then the tension gave, and he laughed. Not the mirthless shouts of laughter he occasionally gave, nor even the softer, shorter bursts. This was a low, deep laugh that he released as she lay there, face down. He even playfully slapped her bottom, and she almost cried with laughter as he prised her leg up and over and practically hauled her into position.

‘I’m upright!’

Josie moved a couple of steps and she squeaked.

‘Do I need a riding hat?’

‘You do not.’ He walked Josie around for a few moments. ‘Look ahead,’ he told her. ‘You don’t look down when you drive.’

‘I can’t drive,’ she informed him. ‘There’s no need in London. Anyway, I have no sense of direction.’ She smiled down at him. ‘How am I doing?’

‘Better,’ he conceded.

‘Can I trot?’

‘Not yet.’

‘Can I trot now?’ she asked, all of six minutes later.

‘Go on, then.’ He nodded, confident in Josie, then frowned in bemusement as Violet made some clicking noises. ‘Give her a few squeezes with your legs.’

She seemed reluctant to, and even Josie gave him a confused glance. He spoke in Arabic to the old girl.

‘What are you saying to her?’ asked Violet.

‘That you are very confident for someone so clueless.’

He gave Josie a tap and Violet let out a shriek as the horse sped off, Violet jolting up and down as she fought to stay on.

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