Her words were cut off as Georgiana surged forward, kissing her with so much passion that Caroline hit the stall door behind her with a thump. She kissed back just as fervently, relief flooding her, the heat inside her building.
Georgiana stopped after a few moments, though she did not pull away. Instead, she rested her forehead on Caroline’s, breathing heavily. “We really ought not to do this,” she said.
“There can be no harm in it,” Caroline assured her. “No one will discover us. It can be our little secret.”
“Are you perfectly sure?” said she, dropping her head to nuzzle Caroline’s neck and planting a series of soft kisses there.
“Quite sure,” Caroline gasped, groaning again when Georgiana’s lips touched a particularly sensitive spot. She grasped at Georgiana’s shoulders, pulling her closer, eliciting a hum of appreciation.
“Will you grant me a favour, then?” Georgiana did pull back then and unhooked the bridle which was hanging from the wall. “Ride with me on Swift today.”
“Oh.” Caroline stared up at the enormous horse. “Well, I suppose you were most obliging, and therefore, I ought to oblige you in return.” She hesitated. “You’re not going to gallop like the devil himself is after you, are you?”
Georgiana grinned. “I swear I will not. And I also promise that I will keep you safe from devils and demons of all varieties and statuses, should they appear.”
Reluctantly, Caroline acquiesced and allowed Georgiana to help her mount Swift. This was not exactly her idea of a good time, for sitting astride the stallion made the ground seem uncomfortably far away. Before she could change her mind, Georgiana slipped into position behind Caroline and reached forward for the reins. Clicking twice, Georgiana twitched the reins and Swift dutifully obeyed, breaking into a trot. Caroline clung to the saddle, her palms damp, her anxiety only alleviated by the warm body pressed against her back. However, once Swift had settled into a sedate pace through the woods and Georgiana’s arms had wrapped tightly around Caroline’s waist, holding her securely, she was prepared to admit that, perhaps, she had overlooked some of the great benefits of riding.
