Page 71 of The Beastly Duke's Christmas Bride
“Oh! I would like that very much,” Isabel told him cheerfully. They reached her door, and she grasped it while leaning against it to gaze at him. “Thank you for tonight, Sebastian. And for allowing Thomas to join us for supper. It was… nice.”
His face was in shadow even with a candle in his free hand. It made her wish she could better see his face. But she saw his nod and hoped that was enough. “Your wish is my command. Good night, Isabel.”
Retiring that night, she thought cheerfully about her evening with Sebastian. It had gone well. They had enjoyed some time together and that gave her hope for them. Maybe she could tell Thomas about it tomorrow to prove that her union did work. At least a little.
The following morning, Isabel took an early breakfast before dressing in her riding habit. She had her gloves and hat on by the time she made her way to the stables to find Sebastian saddling a horse.
“Good morning,” he greeted her, his gaze lingering on her from head to toe. “I’m glad to see you remembered.”
“What makes you think I would forget? I promised to give you the chance to win at something. But of course there are no guarantees,” she added lightly.
His lips twitched in amusement. “I would expect nothing less. Will you be warm enough for our ride?”
Nodding, she glanced out toward the shining sun. Her heart beat cheerfully in anticipation of the morning ride. It had been a while since she had enjoyed herself in the saddle and she was excited to make that change.
Isabel reassured him, “I have my wool layers that should do well. Will this be your steed this morning?”
“No, Lacey is here for you.” He patted the horse’s neck, a shiny white and black dappled creature, before smiling at her. “She’s a fine rider but prefers a lighter load to me. I rather thought you might like to call her yours.”
“Oh, I couldn’t.”
“What is mine is yours in marriage,” Sebastian pointed out. “Besides, you didn’t have one of your own. I should have considered that beforehand.”
Isabel gave a shake of her head before carefully coming forward to meet the horse. Tall and well-built, Lacey was a fine horse. She huffed lightly in her face before nudging her shoulder in greeting. As Isabel carefully explored the creature’s face, she told her husband, “I managed without a horse through the summer. I could do it longer if needed.”
“But you don’t need to,” he said simply as if it were no matter. “Are you ready, Isabel? I can hoist you up now.”
“Hoist? Where are we? On a boat?”
“On an adventure,” Sebastian responded cheerfully as he moved forward. There was a larger horse, all gray, already readied and standing half in shadow; she had seen him ride the creature before, a great big beast who could handle his weight. “Shall we?”
Isabel nodded. “Very well.”
Any assumptions that he might lead her to a step dissipated as he moved forward, wrapping his hands around her waist. Isabel startled. She nearly toppled right over as her breath caught.
And then he was lifting her through the air like she was nought but a doll. It was a surprising sensation of flying before Isabel remembered herself and hastily caught hold of the saddle, grasping the pommel as her leg went over the side.
She landed and Sebastian didn’t move. “Are you settled? Secure?”
“I… I think so.”
“I can wait.”
Looking down at him, Isabel studied his piercing green eyes. He appeared so open this morning. Friendly and engaging. Was it only friendliness and good manners that had him smiling of late? She wondered if it was more. If it could be more.
Sebastian cleared his throat. “You look settled now. Shall we?”
“Oh, yes. Yes, sorry.”
Isabel fumbled with her reins as he finally let go of her. A chill wrapped around her waist where his hands left her, and she stifled it as best she could. Moving Lacey out of the stables, she put the horse through a few paces before Sebastian directed them down the path.
He took the lead, directing her to the path and showcasing where they might enjoy a race on a clear walking trail without snow or ice. His breath fogged up between them. After listening carefully, Isabel eagerly took off with a laugh.
“I didn’t say go!” He called after her.
“Too late!”
Sebastian and his horse could be heard a moment later, picking up speed. Hooves sounded loud behind her as she engaged Lacey. The horse was just as eager as she was. The two of them made it halfway through the path in the lead before Sebastian came up beside them.
