“You’ve told me that already, like ten times,” Julia muttered.
“Then do it,” Douglas suggested good-naturedly.
She tossed him an irritated glance. “If I could, don’t you think I would?”
“Julia, I know your legs are far stronger than that.” His voice was full of warm familiarity and humour both of which played pleasant havoc with her insides.
Nevertheless, she wanted to clobber him.
She tried harder, did better and he stepped away, allowing her free reign, calling instructions to her. She was actually doing it and was rather pleased with herself when she led the horse in a wide, slow circle then back to Douglas where she successfully pulled the beast to a halt.
“Well done,” Douglas complimented her, his eyes shining with admiration, like she’d just won Ascot.
“Don’t look at me like that. It’s more the horse than me.” She didn’t like the way his compliment made her feel, all tingly and happy. Well, she did like it; she just didn’t want to dwell on it. “I can’t imagine why someone would do this of their own volition. I’d rather pet him and feed him apples than ride him.” She finished, leaning forward and running her hand down the horse’s neck.
“Take your feet out of the stirrups,” Douglas commanded unexpectedly.
She lurched up and the horse danced sideways at her sudden movement.
The children had wandered further away, Lizzie riding expertly in a gentle gallop while Willie and Ruby were doing a sedate saunter.
“Julia, take your feet out.” He was using that tone that brooked no argument and was standing so close to the side of the horse that she felt his heat through her calf. She was certain he would take her foot out himself if she didn’t do as he said.
She did as he said.
No sooner had she done it, than he grabbed the saddlehorn in front of her, put his foot in the stirrup, and, in one lithe movement, mounted the horse behind her. Both he and she in the saddle pushed her straight up the pommel as he put his other boot in the stirrup.
He reached around her and grabbed the reins from her unfeeling hands.
“What are you doing? This horse is going to collapse under the weight of us. This is cruelty to animals!” she cried, somewhat hysterically, wanting off, wanting to escape, wanting his lean body not to be pressing against hers from her bottom to her shoulder blades.
“Swing your leg to the side and straddle the pommel,” he ordered.
“What?” she screeched then went on, “No…” Then she realised if she did, she might be able just to hop off so she changed her mind and agreed immediately, “Okay.” She swung her right leg to the side so she was straddling the saddlehorn sideways just as he commanded but one of his arms slid around her waist and tightened before she could slide off.
Foiled, she thought.
“I’ll show you why people like to ride,” he said, his voice low and husky in her ear.
She was staring intently at the ground and therefore saw his leg tighten on the side of the horse and they bolted forward. She yelped, twisted her torso and wrapped her arms around him. As they galloped, with each beat of the horses hooves, she slid closer to Douglas.
“Are you insane?” she shouted over the wind rushing in her ears.
He subtly moved the reins and the horse turned gracefully to the left and she held on tighter. She was face to face with his muscular neck, which was a part of him she especially liked (not that there were parts of him she didn’t like). To avoid it, she forced herself to face forward and grab the horse’s mane. She tried to be gentle but she knew she was holding on for dear life.
And then, moments later, it swept over her. The realisation that Douglas knew exactly what he was doing and that the horse knew too. Horse and rider were in perfect synchronisation. She felt herself and her fingers relax and began to enjoy it. It was a risk but the risk was so thrilling and they weren’t going too fast, they weren’t out-of-control, they were safe.
Julia was safe, with Douglas.
Once she relaxed against his body, she understood exactly why he loved to be out on the horse, the wind, the crisp air, the speed, the strong beast between his legs, completely at his command, it was everything that was Douglas. And she began to love it too.
He was rounding Sommersgate and when they were within sight of the stables again, he slowed the horse to a canter then down to a roping amble.
“That wasn’t so bad was it?” His voice, again at her ear, asked quietly.
“I suppose not.” She knew she sounded surly but her guard was down, he was all around her, she could smell…
Her body tensed.