Queen of my Hart - Emily Royal Page 0,54
said.
Elizabeth’s mouth creased into a scowl. “That she does, Dexter, darling, but I intend to do more than just sit this morning. I’ve been looking forward to a good, hard ride with you, but fear my sister is unable to maintain our pace.”
Ralph came around the corner, astride a brown gelding, and Dexter’s smile disappeared.
“Is that one of the coach horses?”
“Aye, it is, master. He takes a saddle well.”
“And you saw fit to accompany us this morning?”
Meggie recognized the flare of anger in her husband’s voice, but Ralph seemed oblivious.
“Begging your pardon, sir, I’m here to accompany the mistress.”
“Well, really!” Elizabeth wrinkled her nose. “Dexter, darling, surely you won’t permit this hobbledehoy to join us? This estate’s turning into a haven for riff-raff.”
Meggie curled her hands round the reins, and the mare shifted beneath her as if sensing her distress.
“Pay no heed to her,” Ralph whispered. “She’s nothing compared to you.”
Dexter shot Elizabeth a look of annoyance, then directed his irritation at Ralph.
“We can survive without your assistance,” he said. “The nag can take his exercise later, surely?”
“I want him to stay,” Meggie said.
Elizabeth cleared her throat, and Dexter rode toward Meggie until their mounts were almost touching.
“Does my wife contradict me?”
Meggie squared her shoulders and met his gaze.
“I do,” she said. “I’m inexperienced in the saddle and wouldn’t wish you to trouble yourself with tending to me when your guest is in such need of attention.”
He narrowed his eyes but said nothing.
“In fact,” she said, “I insist Ralph accompany me. While I’ve been alone, he’s taught me how to ride and knows my limitations. You’ve never seen me in the saddle.”
“I find myself admonished,” he said. “If my wife wishes another to accompany her, then I shall oblige.”
Meggie caught a glimpse of pleasure on Ralph’s face. Pleasure—mixed with triumph.
They set off at a leisurely pace, following the path through the forest. But before they reached the lake, they veered to the left and out into a field. Elizabeth urged her mount forward.
“What say you, Dexter?” she asked. “How about a wager to brighten a dull day?”
“What do you have in mind, Miss Alderley?”
She lifted a gloved hand to her forehead to shield her eyes from the sun and scanned the horizon.
“There!” She pointed ahead. “That large oak. Ten guineas say I make it there and back first!”
He glanced at Meggie. “I don’t think it’s wise…”
Meggie waved her riding crop at him. “Go,” she said. “I’ll be all right.”
“Then,” Elizabeth said, “with your wife’s permission…”
She gave the gelding a hearty kick on the flank, and the animal raced ahead. Dexter spurred his mount on, less savagely, in her wake.
How on earth could a woman move at such a pace, riding side-saddle, and not lose her seat?
Elizabeth’s mount reached the opposite edge of the field, and she spurred it toward the perimeter hedge. The animal launched itself into the air and cleared the hedge, shortly followed by Dexter on his stallion.
“That’s the last we’ll see of them,” Ralph said. “I’m sorry, I should have known this would happen.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Meggie said brightly. “At least now, I feel no pressure to ride harder than I’m able to.”
“You have the makings of a very accomplished rider,” Ralph said, drawing his mount close. “Very accomplished indeed.”
“Were it not for your guidance, I’d have no skill at all.”
“Oh no,” he replied. “You have a natural ability most women lack. But I look forward to giving you many more lessons in the art of riding if that is what you wish.”
“You know it is,” she said.
“Then let us enjoy our lesson unencumbered by those who would look down on us.” He steered his mount in the opposite direction, and Meggie followed.
She’d been dreading today and the prospect of being sneered at by the Alderleys. Seeing her husband riding with his former lover tore at her heart. But with her friend at her side, she might salvage some pleasure from the excursion.
An hour later, there was no sign of Dexter or Elizabeth. Meggie’s thighs ached with the ride, but Ralph was so kind and generous with his praise, she hadn’t the heart to tell him she wanted to return to the house.
“This is the furthest we’ve ridden,” she said, hoping he would take the hint.
“I thought the time had come to test the extent of your stamina,” he said. “If you’ll oblige me a little longer, I know somewhere we can rest.”
Shortly after, a small building with a thatched roof came into view. Though it looked