Page 55 of Married to the Cruel Duke

“It must have been hard.”

“It was, but it was worth it to have her there. When I lost her too, I developed a bit of paranoia of my own.”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

William hesitated, but before he could speak the sound of hooves cut him off.

A great grey horse ran over to them, coming to a stop a few feet from William. Only a few yards behind came an out of breath stable hand.

“I am so sorry, your grace!” the man said, catching the horse’s reigns. “He heard your voice and he just bolted.”

“It’s quite all right. I know how he can be.” William turned to Rebecca. “I suppose this is as good of a time as any for you to meet my horse. Rebecca, I would like to introduce you to my noble steed, Hawthorn.”

“He’s lovely. Will I be riding him?”

“Oh heavens, no. even if I wasn’t planning on riding him myself, I wouldn’t recommend Hawthorn. He’s known to be a bit… spirited.”

The stable hand chuckled. “That’s a very kind way for you to put it, your grace. He can be quite a handful when he wants to. Shall I go saddle up one of our more docile horses for Duchess Danton?”

William looked to her. After a moment she spoke a smile spreading across her face.

“Yes, I would appreciate that. Please select whatever horse you think would be best.”

“Of course your grace. I’m sorry we didn’t already have one ready for you. I had no idea you were coming.”

“No, I’m sorry for causing you trouble. I should have sent word ahead of my arrival.”

“I was the one who invited you,” William cut in. “if anyone was causing trouble it was me. Hearing that, do you still think you were causing trouble?”

She hesitated, but before she could speak the stable hand spoke once more.

“Its no trouble. I’ll go get one of them ready for you right away. I’m thinking Sunflower. She is a real sweet heart.”

“She sounds perfect. Thank you.”

He headed off leaving the couple alone for a moment. Rebecca turned back to William.

“Thank you again for bringing me.”

“Its nothing.”

“It isn’t. Not to me.”

He looked away. “Come on. We wouldn’t want to keep Sunflower waiting.”

They made their way the rest of the way to the stables where both horses were now waiting and ready.

“They are both all set up for your rides. I hope you have a pleasant journey.”

“We will, thank you. I can take over from here,” William said.

The stable hand bowed before heading off to attend to the other animals. William turned to Rebecca.

“Can you mount on your own or do you need any help?”

“I should be able to handle it on my own, but thank you.”

They each mounted their horse then made their way out to the fields. In the late afternoon air, Rebecca breathed in the sunlight. Sunflower was as gentle as the man had said, her pace slow and steady as she trotted behind Hawthorn.

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