“I see that now.” She carefully dismounted then ran her hand along the horse’s muzzle, nuzzling it and holding it close. “You were wonderful, Madam,” she murmured. “The best horse in the world.”
“Let’s walk her a bit before we take her back to the stables,” he said, “then you can give her a wash down.”
Rosalie nodded. “Yes, I’d love to brush her.”
“And then, we can partake in the next best ritual of riding.”
Rosalie looked at him quizzically. “Which is…?”
“Why, eating of course,” he said, grinning at her. “I told you: riding is very active, and we have to keep your energy up.”
She laughed, but, just as he had instructed, when they emerged from the stables forty-five minutes later, a large spread of cold meats, salad, freshly baked bread, cheese, and tarts had been laid out for them on tables that had been erected right in front of the formal garden. Rosalie’s eyes grew wide in wonder and awe as they approached the setup.
“You arranged for all of this?” she asked as she seated herself at one of the tables.
“Of course.” He sat down across from her. “This is one of the perks of being a duke and duchess: we can enjoy our leisure time. Riding, eating, drinking… and then, of course, investigating opium smuggling in the duchy and the neighboring estates.”
Rosalie laughed, and he motioned at a footman to bring some wine for them.
Nathan waited until her plate was full, and she was sipping a French sauvignon blanc, before speaking again.
“So, how are you enjoying your riding lessons?”
“I like them a lot.” She set her wineglass down and looked at him thoughtfully. “I never expected to like something so physical, but I admit, I do. And I have thought very little about my fear of heights throughout.”
“I’ve noticed.”
“How do I look up there?” Her eyes twinkled, and she took another sip of wine.
Nathan licked his lips. Truthfully, Rosalie looked bewitching up on Madam. She had a naturally strong seat, but more than that, she looked like a maiden out of a romantic novel with her long hair streaming behind her as she rode through the fields of his estate. It was hard not to stare at her as she urged the horse forward, navigating difficult terrain and remaining steady. He knew that if she could see herself, she would be astounded by how much she appeared like a character in a book.
But that wasn’t what he said. Not because she shouldn’t know it but because there was something more pressing he had to say.
“You look strong,” he said, gazing at her steadily. “And that is the highest compliment I could give you.”
“Strong?” She looked surprised. “Usually, a woman wants to hear that she looks beautiful.”
“You look beautiful as well,” he said, his cheeks turning pink, “but as I said,strongis the highest compliment I could pay you.”
She took another sip of wine before responding. “Why is that?” she asked.
He swirled his wine, thinking.How much do I tell her without scaring her back into her bad habits?
“My mother was a very weak woman,” he began at last. “Not emotionally or spiritually, although perhaps those as well, but I mean she was physically weak. My father was hard on her, you see, and she would often punish herself for the slights he accused her of by not eating.”
He let this confession hang in the air for a moment before continuing, “It was hard for me to see her so depleted. Some weeks, she couldn’t get out of bed; she just didn’t have the energy. She wasted away, and it always killed me that I couldn’t help her.”
Rosalie sat very still, watching him. She didn’t say anything, but he knew that she understood: he wanted her to eat, to be strong and ride horses, because he didn’t want her to become like his mother.
He didn’t want to call her out or make her uncomfortable, but it was important she knew this. That was why he worked so hard to keep her fed.
“I’m sure that was very hard on you,” Rosalie said at last.
“Indeed.” He inclined his head. “I would have liked to have seen her atop a horse like you were just now.”
“I did feel strong.” She smiled and reached for her fork, digging into the tart on her plate. His heart soared as she took a bite. “I like being strong.” Her eyes glittered. “I never knew it was possible before.”
“I’m glad you could experience that.”
