Page 24 of Good Duke Gone Rogue

“It means force or strength.”

“That’s the perfect name for a horse.” She sighed and let silence sit in the air for a few minutes.

But she must have been staring at the horse in a wistful manner because Charlotte asked, “Why don’t you take her for a ride?”

“Oh, I haven’t ridden a horse since…” Bernadette paused. When was the last time she had ridden a horse? She used to love going for rides. Feeling the wind in her hair as she traversed her family’s estate. Going on small adventures. Or picnics. Shehad always felt so free whenever she went for a ride. And then remember that she hadn’t finished answering Charlotte, she said, “Since I was a young girl.”

“No better time than the present. She’s slow and steady. I’m not even sure she knows how to move past a canter anymore.”

“All right.” That sounded safe enough.

Charlotte pointed to the stable. “Let’s get you saddled up.”

And before she knew it, Bernadette was sitting atop the calm horse. Astride. Charlotte reassured her that no one was around to notice. It was inebriating to feel and then remember the power of a horse. Maybe this was just what she needed.

“Aren’t you coming along, Charlotte?”

“I have to head back to the house, but enjoy the ride, dear friend.”

As Charlotte waved, Bernadette felt a bit lost. Where would she go? She never had time like this. Away from everyone. No one to care for. No one to think about other than herself. Her life had been all about the earl and her son. To a great extent, she had taken care of the earl when he was sick, before he passed away. And when she wasn’t seeing to his needs, she was always concerning herself over Jacob. Even though he was nine years old now, she still fussed.

The wind whipped through her hair. The sun warmed her cheeks. And a bird called out in the distance. It was sign enough.

“Let’s go that way, Vi.” She clucked and the horse started in that direction.

Bernadette felt as though something was missing from her person. She kept checking for a missing limb. Someone or anyone who needed her. But no one was there. It was stillness in motion. This time was for her only. What problem could she fix in her mind? What needed to be resolved?

Vi snorted.

“Perhaps you’re right. This time can just be about being.”

Vi nodded her head. Which of course she didn’t, but the thought made Bernadette laugh to herself.

In her laughter, she felt herself sliding off the horse. Nothing would be worse than falling. Her heart cringed. She tried to grasp onto the reins. She beckoned Vi not to move. But gradually she slipped down all the same.

She expected mud. Or at the very least, dirt. She expected to fall face first into it. Or to muck up her half boots at the least.

But it was nothing.

Nothing happened.

Her feet simply hit the ground. Vi stood still, chomping on a clump of grass to be honest. And nothing. She was fine. The fall had done nothing. Except make it incredibly difficult to get back on the horse. In the stables, there had been a stool. But out here, she would have to be resourceful. In a field of grass, surely she could find a rock large enough.

Alas, there were no rocks. But there was a tree. If she was creative enough…balanced enough…brave enough…

She led Vi to the tree. Placing her left foot in the stirrup, she pushed her right foot up against the trunk of the tree. Vi took a step sideways and Bernadette’s awkward position succumbed to gravity.

“Whoa, girl. Hold steady.”

She tried again. This time talking through her movement to Vi.

“I’m just going to put my food here,” she grunted. “And then—oomph—I’m just going to put my other foot on the tree. Vi, if you just work with me, and stay put…that’s a good girl.”

Bernadette now had her right knee climbing up the saddle. She was about to be sitting backward. If only she could get her skirts out of the way…and then her other knee up.

“Well, Vi, I’ve never been on my knees atop a horse.”

Vi snorted.

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