“Do you need something?” she said, putting down her pen.
He suppressed a lewd response and smiled, picking up her hand and kissing it. “I have a surprise for you. Come.”
Standing, she raised her eyebrows in inquiry, a faint flush staining her cheeks. “What surprise?”
He grinned. “You’ll see. Come with me.” He tucked her hand in his arm and led her from the room, through the back of the house, out into the gardens at the rear, and through the gate to the stables.
Waiting for them was his head groomsman, holding the bay mare.
Annis’s eyes widened at sight of the lovely horse. “Emrys?”
“She is yours, my love,” he said with a grin. “I bought her for you yesterday. Isn’t she a beauty?”
Annis stepped up to the mare and stroked her withers tentatively. “She is. Emrys, really you shouldn’t—”
“I should,” he said firmly. “You need a horse to ride in London. She has a gentle, sweet temperament, but she is a little more lively than old Sandy. She has been trained to be a lady’s mount, however. I think she will suit you well.”
“Oh, Emrys, you are so thoughtful!” she hugged him, and he hugged her back, well pleased.
“I thought we could go for a ride in Hyde Park, put her through her paces?”
“I—suppose.” Annis eyed the lovely mare with some trepidation.
“I’ll be with you. I won’t let anything happen,” he said reassuringly.
Annis nodded, biting her lip.
“Good. Shall we go now? You could go and put your riding habit on.”
“It’s not mine—it’s Sarah’s. I suppose I will need to remember to order one made when we go to the modiste’s. Thank you, Emrys,” she said shyly and kissed his cheek. He wanted to kiss her properly, but with the groom standing there, he restrained himself.
Fifteen minutes later she returned arrayed in her borrowed riding habit. It was blue and fitted her lovely figure to perfection. She would have her own gowns soon, after the promised shopping expedition with Sarah on Friday. He was grateful to Sarah for saving him from that torture.
Having gotten her settled comfortably in the saddle, he mounted Inigo and led the way out of the mews at an ambling walk.
“What will you name her?” he asked.
“I’m not sure,” Annis leaned forward to pat the mare gently with one gloved hand. The ears twitched, and the horse shook her head.
“Oh dear, doesn’t she like that?”
“I don’t think it’s you. There is a fly bothering her.”
“Oh.” Annis waved away the insect and settled into her seat. She looked every inch the elegant lady perched on the mare.
They entered the main thoroughfare, and the mare held steady. She had been trained in traffic and was not easily spooked, he was glad to see. Annis was a little tense but trying to hide it.
“Relax,” he murmured. “Everything will be fine.”
“Sorry, I’m such a ninny. I’ve never done this before.”
“I know, hence why we are practicing before London is swamped with people again. If we do this every day, you’ll get the hang of it in no time.”
“Thank you,” she said with a grateful smile.
He nodded encouragingly.
They arrived at Hyde Park and entered the grounds. It was a bit early for the most fashionable time to be seen, which was five o’clock, so there were fewer people to contend with. And as he had noted, the little season wasn’t in full swing yet.
