But before he could say anything to that, a sudden noise in the guise of a distant call of a bird, startled Phyllis’ horse. The majestic creature, responding to the instinctive flight urge, reacted with a swift and unexpected movement, causing Phyllis to lose her balance. In the midst of the sudden commotion, her boot slipped off, landing with a soft splash in the serene waters of the lake.
“Whoa, whoa, boy!” Phyllis gently urged the frightened horse with a soft tone of voice. “It’s all right…”
One-booted and slightly disheveled, she managed to regain control of her horse, though a hint of laughter flickered in her eyes.
It all happened in an instant, and Alexander could not suppress a chuckle. “It seems that the lake has claimed your boot as its own,” he remarked with a teasing glint in his eyes.
“Oh, no,” Phyllis said sorrowfully, watching the place where the boot sank into the water. “It was your mother’s boot. What ever shall I tell her?”
“Don’t worry about it,” Alexander reassured her. “She won’t even notice it is gone. I told you, this is her old riding attire, which she hasn’t had any need of in ages. We won’t say a thing and that will be the end of it.”
“Are you certain?” she eyed him slightly apprehensively.
“Absolutely,” he nodded, glancing at her bare foot. “Seeing you are in no condition to take any strolls now, how about we ride some more? There are a few other places you might enjoy.”
As they continued their ride, Phyllis’ bare foot occasionally brushing against the stirrup, a playful atmosphere enveloped them. The mishap had added an unexpected charm to their journey, and the shared laughter resonated through the estate grounds. The blush on Phyllis’ cheeks, a delicate hue matching the petals of the flowers in the nearby meadow, only heightened her loveliness. Alexander couldn’t help but notice the natural grace with which Phyllis carried herself, even in this slightly unconventional situation. The wind tousled her hair, and the soft sunlight painted a radiant glow on her features.
Suddenly, he stopped, shaking his head.
“No, no,” he said, murmuring to himself more than to her. “This won’t do.”
“What won’t do?” she wondered curiously.
Without replying, he took of his boot and holding it in his hand, walked over to her, as she was seated on her horse.
“Allow me,” he said, gently taking her foot into his hand.
It felt as if a million little goosebumps ran up and down her body, as he slid her foot into his boot, which was more than two sizes too big. The moment she tried to move it, it slid off her foot. They exchanged a meaningful glance and burst into a chuckle.
“Well, that won’t work,” he mused, much to the amusement of them both.
“It was nice of you to try, though,” she smiled at him, adjusting her bare foot. “But I think that this is how I shall have to remain until we return.”
After a while, they rode back to the house, the warm embrace of the estate welcoming them. When they reached the stables, Alexander gracefully dismounted, his attention immediately returning to Phyllis. Aware of her barefoot predicament, he couldn’t resist the urge to extend a chivalrous gesture.
With a charming smile, he offered, “Allow me, my lady.”
He extended his arms towards her, gesturing at her to jump into his arms.
“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” she said, blushing a little. “I am perfectly fine walking back to the house.”
“Under no condition,” he shook his head. “You are barefoot.”
She laughed. “Yes, it’s a bare foot, not a broken one. It’s perfectly functional.”
“No, no,” he shook his head once again. “What sort of a gentleman would I be to allow that?”
She chuckled again, and he continued the joke. “Honestly, what sort of a gentleman indeed? A very bad one, that is for sure.” He moved his fingers in her direction, gesturing at her that it was safe to be taken into his arms, that he would take good care of her.
She hesitated for a moment, then she swung her leg to the side that faced him, and he lifted her from her horse. Momentarily, their closeness ignited a magnetic pull. He stared deeply into her eyes, and she did the same, drawn by the same desire. In this delicate dance of glances, the promise of a stolen kiss hung in the air. Having her in his arms, he was completely consumed by the desire to kiss her.
Yet, as their lips drew nearer, a breathless pause intervened, a moment suspended in the sweet anticipation of what could be. Breaking away, Alexander, with a restrained yet charming smile, guided Phyllis into the castle.
“Let’s get you to the drawing room,” he said, turning around and heading back to the house.
Through the ornate corridors they ventured, the soft echoes of their footsteps harmonizing with the tender whispers of the afternoon breeze. Finally, they entered the drawing room, where he gently settled her into an inviting armchair. Instantly, he maintained an air of respectful distance, though the spark between them refused to fade. He could still feel it beckoning to him. The room itself seemed to hold its breath, bearing witness to the unspoken connection that lingered between them.
“I shall go tell one of the servants to fetch your shoes,” he informed her, clearing his throat a little.
