Laws were something kings and the parliament handled and one day he’d have a bigger voice. Leo led her out of the library. “I’ll speak to my parents when we get back about proposing a bill to the parliament, but no promises. They are still fighting for female nobles to inherit.”
Once they were in the hall, she nodded her agreement. “I don’t know much about inheritances other than insurance claims, but that’s not quite the same thing. So let’s talk about riding. I’m ready for my lesson.”
His heart thumped differently at her acceptance. No one generally supported his ideas, not that he often expressed political ones. He kept that to himself. “Lesson?”
“That you promised. You’ve always kept your word with me, Leo.”
“You’re the only one that put expectations like that on me.”
“So let’s start…” She showed off her black leather boots she wore underneath her black pants. “With Lady.”
They walked down the stairs together while he held her hand up, like they were heading into a ball or to greet dignitaries.
Now that they were married, she’d be expected to always look like a princess, and he needed to ensure everyone treated her as his wife.
Her eyes had a sparkle to them like they were playing some game. Once they made it to the bottom step, he forgot formality and pulled her hips toward him. “Soon I’d like a lesson in us lying in bed together.”
Her face turned red as she blushed, and the sight made his skin grow warmer even as she shook her head and said, “It might rain later so it’s best if we go now.”
He should let her go. He knew that, but he traced her cheekbone and leaned closer. She smelled like rosewater as he dared, “Scared to be alone in a bed with me.”
Her lips pursed for a kiss and for one moment he didn’t move, but then she pushed him back and said, “We both agreed you can seduce me, but it’s not that easy. I’m not entirely stupid.”
He winked at her and walked beside her out the door. “Don’t worry. I enjoy challenges. Let’s get you on Lady.”
The very quick stroll through the flowered path wasn’t a pace he’d set. Was she hurrying from him?
She rushed them forward, but for now, he let her.
Her shoulders were tight like she was on a mission that would end when they reached the stables.
The horses were already saddled for them and grazing as they waited.
A groomsman brought his stallion, Rocky, toward him, but he helped Anna on Lady himself. As she balanced on her saddle, he checked her feet were in the stirrups and said, “Scoot forward, hold the reigns lightly and get used to the motion of being in the saddle. Lady will follow me for now.”
She nodded at him but her face pinched tight. “I’m nervous about riding and not falling.”
“She’s gentle. Trust Lady. She’s probably safer than talking to me and you never blinked at that challenge.” Leo quickly mounted Rocky and led them both on a nice, easy path.
Once they passed a few trees, Anna seemed more relaxed and held her reigns looser as she said, “This is nice.”
He motioned for Rocky to speed up with a quick leg move. “We’ll go a little faster then.”
Lady picked up her speed without being asked, but he kept a steady and slow pace as they headed toward the hill that overlooked the ocean and the castle.
She held her saddle hard as she said through pressed lips, “I’ve never done this.”
He slowed to ride beside her and hoped to calm Anna down while he said, “Hold the reigns with a light touch, and if you press your legs down on the stirrups, Lady will stop. She’s well trained.”
She followed his direction and the horse slowed. “Okay. We’re at a better speed now.”
A simple walk was fine. Anna never had to be a champion rider—he had a wall of trophies, though they would be expected to host the occasional party. So long as she was comfortable in a canter, it was all he could ask as he directed her toward her future as queen. “Good. See? You’re a natural. Relax your shoulders.”
She bit her lip and winced but then she raised her chin with determination. “Easier said than done.”
Their romantic lunch waited over the hill, but the sky grumbled.
The flash of lightning made Lady back up.
