Page 19 of Claimed By the Duke of Ice

At this, Nathaniel scoffed and stepped in front of her as she reached for a bridle.

“You cannot be serious?” he asked, sounding alarmed.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” Grace asked.

“Well let’s go back to our talk about manners, shall we?” he proposed, taking a step toward her. “It is improper for any woman to ride a standard saddle, let alone a duchess. Not to mention, it is dangerous. What if you would suffer a fall?”

At this, Grace couldn’t help but laugh at him mockingly.

“Have you ever ridden a side saddle, husband?” she asked teasingly. He looked back at her with shock and offense.

“Of course, I haven’t,” he bit out. “Why on earth would you ask a question such as that?”

Grace wasn’t sure if she was amused or offended by his sudden bout of temper, but it wasn’t dissuading her from her goal.

“If you were to have ever ridden in a side saddle, you would know that it is far more difficult to keep aloft on such a thing than it is to ride with the traditional one. Trust me, Your Grace, it is much safer.”

“It is not just about safety,” he retorted, stepping in her way once more as she yet again tried to reach for the bridle. “It’s about decorum. My people must know that I married a good Lady to help shepherd them, and they won’t feel such things if they see you riding through the grounds like a madwoman.”

“Maybe I am a madwoman,” she mused boldly, “but I am a madwoman you married, so you must deal with it.”

For a moment, anger sparked in Nathaniel’s eyes as he studied her. Then, the tension broke, and he let out an exhausted sigh.

“You will not be moved on this, will you?” he asked.

Grace felt her stance relax, and this time, as she reached for the bridle, he didn’t stop her.

“I am indeed taking this ride, Your Grace,” she replied confidently. “But I do not yet know your land nor where danger lies. It would be most comforting if you would join me and show me the way. But I understand if you are not up to the task.”

The look that came over Nathaniel’s made her unsure if he was annoyed, amused, or both, but finally, another small smile graced his lips, and he bowed his head toward her.

“Very well, dear wife,” he acquiesced. “But at least allow me to fetch the stable boy. Saddling your own horse simply will not do, and that is something I will not be moved on.”

Happiness touched Grace as he finally agreed, and she stepped out of his way.

“Very well, dear husband,” she replied sweetly. “In this, I shall do what you say.”

At that, Nathaniel let out a sharp chuckle.

“Well then, it seems we have both scored a victory.”

* * *

He didn’t want to admit it, but riding with Grace was very pleasing. As she promised, she took to the traditional English saddle expertly. She had no issues with navigating the young horse she sat atop. It had been long time since he had gone riding for the pleasure of it, and as he showed her the grounds, he only then realized how much he’d missed such a venture.

“Your land is magnificent,” Grace told him as they stopped at the edge of a meadow. “You should be very proud of it.”

Nathaniel looked over at her, taking in her relaxed stature with a sort of odd amusement. She hadn’t bothered to don a riding habit or even gloves, and the branches and brambles had caught at the delicate skin of her arms and hands. Even in her nice dress, she looked wild and completely unbothered by the scratches. She looked, he realized, like she belonged.

“I am,” he admitted, his eyes raking slowly over her figure once more.

He knew he should be appalled by the way her skirt hiked up, revealing her stockings or by the way the flesh above her breasts had grown red from the excitement or how the branches had also loosened some of her hair. But he was more taken by it all than anything. The urge to lean over in his saddle to help tuck back some of her wild strands came upon him strongly. Even tangled, they looked silky smooth. Instead, though, he tightened his grip on his reins and forced himself to look away.

“This really isn’t appropriate,” he stated, focusing his eyes on the meadow before him.

“You know what would be more inappropriate?” Grace asked, her voice laced with mischief. “If we were to have a race across this meadow.”

Nathaniel looked back over at her, surprised.

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