a stout woman, ruddy faced and tolerated no nonsense. She saw no reason for me to ever complain as I was the lady and she

ride properly. Even so it was a warm autumn day, knowing there were no vi

ely together. I ride like a man whenever I get the chanc

hay is comforting, a world away from the musty rooms of Tarrick Hall. Amber, my pretty honey-coloure

am are you all

glare I'd ever seen. Almost as green as my husband

roducing yourself seeing y

you before!" he replied with a smirk,

said archly, waiting for her t

d as he turned around to the saddle ra

saddle is the brown embroider

g the saddle and headed towards Figaro,

amusement escaping his chest as my mouth hung open at his rudeness. His

I shall grab m

p, you're one for str

for long anyway, when I have you removed!" I snapped back. Irritated as I was,

that of Edmund. Tall, with shoulders displaying muscles I didn'

s with his tongue, I was mesmerised. His hair was light brown, smartly cropped with a square jaw. His face seemed to be permanently s

be a flogging

d up his shirt sleeves. Thick leather braces held up his pants, a gap where they rode

coolly replied, unfazed as he rolled the second sleeve whils

ue of muscle before me. I'd seen so many masculine figures in galleries, yet in the flesh this strange

tone, my head tipping up in superiority. "I merely wish

u know," and this time his green-eyed smirk was unbearable. His lilting voice was laced with mockery. "Un

from the wall myself. Fuming with rage, my pulse racing, I knew now the ta

never been spoken to so ru

around Amber, checking the stirrups as her hooves clipped the ston

en saddling Figaro for?

merrily as I ga

not give permissio

y other leg over, I watched incredulously as he followed suit. He swift

ith that he trotted smugly out of the stable. I watched his

ver even heard his name! Jeremiah the currently injured stablehand was th

ire beneath me. I was no longer content to sit in the parlour and watch the afternoon sun change the

t stand Marie's fidgeting with my hair, her thick fingers irritating me with every tug. Changed f

red the same as normal. The usual miserable tapestries on the wall. Bleak scenes of battles. Dark wooden dining table wit

ne to support his figure. I walked towards him and planted a gen

given more thought to w

ce dropped to a whisper, afraid that even through t

ve a choice in the matter anyway but for the sake of good

g sauntered into the room. He wore a dark brown formal jacket over the top of his shirt, a smile barely conceal

ked on mine, I felt my world collapsing upon itsel

ier fingers in a firm handshake. "Good evening, Your Grace. If it is acceptable,

ke to introduce you to the D

e slightest bow. Clearly he had manners and some polish

n, but that hateful row has awoken a side of me I thought banished after marriage. I want to resist, I wan

both staring at me with their perfectly green eyes. He wasn't here for th

rantee nobody will question any