“Place your foot on my left toe as I pull you up, and then, hold tight.” Dominic grasped her hand firmly but kindly.
“Anyone would think you are doing this just to have my arms around you,” Charlotte said though he could see a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
“I was not the one who offered someone else her horse. Maybe it is you who wish for an excuse to be close to me,” Dominic replied.
“Such arrogance. You were the one who proposed this.” Charlotte’s expression faltered, and she added in a whisper as he swung her up behind him, “Though I suppose it is a very good way of demonstrating the strength of our apparent attachment.”
He felt an odd twist in his chest that was at odds with the warmth that flowed through him as Charlotte wrapped her arms around him, her familiar perfume washing over him.
“Oh, yes. Of course, our attachment,” Dominic murmured. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
He nodded and gently kicked his horse into motion. Charlotte’s grip tightened, and he felt the warmth of her pressed against him. He swallowed.It is just for appearances. And to make sure she does not fall off. Nothing more.
Besides, she had seen him in the midst of one of his fits. What woman would ever want a man with such weakness?Not that I want her to want me.
He swallowed and tried to convince himself that it was true as he urged his horse towards the next obstacle.
Chapter Twenty
IN IT TO WIN IT
Charlotte told herself that she was only holding as tightly as she was to Dominic for safety’s sake. After all, she had no desire to fall off the horse and sitting without a saddle was hard work.
Yet as the cold wind bit at her skin, she could not help but appreciate the warmth of both horse and rider. There was something reassuring about the hardness of Dominic, the solidity of him as they cantered down the path. She found herself inhaling deeply, and realising what she was doing, she stopped, her cheeks flushing a deep scarlet.
“Are you all right back there, Precious Plum?” Dominic called.
“Yes, thank you, Sweetkins.” Charlotte replied, grateful that Dominic could not see the flush on her cheeks.
“There is a small tree across the road. I can probably find a way around it —”
”Why not jump it?”
“I worry that it would put you unnecessarily at risk.”
“It will only be a small jump.” Charlotte peered around Dominic at the tree. “I am sure we will manage.”
“If you are certain.”
“I am.”
“Very well.” Charlotte felt Dominic take a steadying breath, his muscles tightening as he prepared for the landing.
Her heart sped up. The horse leapt, and her breath caught. A moment later, they landed, and she felt herself slide. Dominic’s firm arm gripped hers and held her steady.
A few moments later, he said, “We’re here.”
The horse slowed, and gently, Dominic lowered Charlotte to the ground with the help of one of the waiting grooms.That would explain why there were so few on hand at the stables.
He jumped down beside her and absentmindedly ran a hand through his hair. Charlotte noticed a leaf in it and without thinking, reached towards him to pluck it from his hair. His eyes widened, and then he saw the leaf in her fingers.
There was a moment of silence as Charlotte hastily took a step back, her cheeks burning.
“Shall we have a look at the map?” Charlotte asked as she pulled it out of her cloak pocket. “It looks like our next challenge to walk this path through the gardens.”
“That seems suspiciously simple.” Dominic looked suspiciously at the path before them. “I feel like it is some kind of trap.”
