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Edmund, his eyes on his wife’s eager face, sighed in disappointment. Her attitude had improved greatly over the weeks of their marriage, yet now and again, she seemed intent on pushing him, testing his authority as her husband. A hand on his hip and facial expression fixed at his most sternness, he reiterated his command. “We go around.”
“What is wrong with a little adventure in life? We are quite so in the bedroom.” Alice had the audacity to say to him.
He fought to keep his temper. “Alice, do not trivialise such matters. I expect your obedience at all times, wherever. Now, keep your ride by mine.”
A fit of pique appeared to overcome Alice, as if his instruction was borne out of a desire to annoy her, rather than ensure her safety. Before he could point out his intention to keep her safe, she kicked her left heel, flicked the crop in her right hand and chivvied her mount into a brisk canter towards the log.
“No!” He watched in horror as his wife charged at the fallen tree. Kicking his own steed on a path that detoured the obstacle, he tried to reach the other side before she did. It was futile. Her horse, far from being put off by the makeshift hurdle, had taken to the notion of leaping over it with gusto.
As the horse rose, taking off, she let out a whoop and then her whole figure shifted to one side as she struggled to keep her balance in the saddle. Coming down on the other side, the horse stumbled, flinging Alice’s body forward, her nose nearly striking the mare’s neck. She managed to cling on and keep her seat.
Edmund watched the near disastrous jump play out in slow motion, his heart in his throat. Having reached the other side of the tree still mounted, Alice, the reins slack in her hands, lost control of her energetic
steed and the horse charged up the hill at a pace with Alice shrieking.
Setting off at gallop, Edmund drove his stallion in pursuit. The larger, more powerful horse, caught up with Alice’s and with the expertise of a cavalrymen, Edmund reached over and grabbed her reins.
Her spooked mare, dragged to Edmund’s side, lost pace quickly and calmed. Edmund brought the horses to a halt. He didn’t let go of the reins while the horses snorted and neighed in frustration. Both wanted the thrill of a gallop.
Edmund could clearly see the panic stamped on his wife’s face. Her head turned, her eyes wide open and mouth dropped open in breathlessness.
“Thank you,” she gasped.
Her lips quivered and hands shook as she retook the reins from him, but she seemed unable to grip them tightly. Seeing her distressed state, he dismounted and took his own reins over the stallions head before taking hers again. He lead his wife up the hill to the folly, and there allow her to dismount. Nothing was said as he led the two jostling horses to the stone monolith.
Rotund, domed and surrounded by columns, the folly had been an ambitious addition to the landscape by his grandfather; the imposing exterior visible for miles about.
Tethering the horses to iron rings left in the columns for such a purpose, he helped Alice down, steadying her via tight grip on her elbow. He held his anger in check as he clutched her to his pounding chest. How close she had come to a serious accident he dreaded to contemplate.
“Foolish girl,” he admonished.
Stepping back, he cupped her face with his hands, stroking his thumbs down her flushed cheeks. To his surprise, he saw no tears or fear in her eyes. Instead, Edmund witnessed elation, an expression many a soldier showed after surviving a fierce battle. The sense of achievement and good fortune would keep their courage intact; ready for the next slaughter. Edmund would never dissuade his men from overcoming fear, ensuring they marched into battle eagerly once again. His wife on the other hand was a different matter. He could not trust her to ride alone if she lacked the judgement to assess the dangers about her.
“You defied me, Alice. Why?” He failed to hide his exasperation, yet to his chagrin, her face showed no regret.
“I knew I could make that jump, and I did!” said Alice proudly. Her earlier distress appeared entirely forgotten.
He let go of her. “You came so close to losing your balance and toppling—”
“I didn’t though,” she interrupted gleefully.
Edmund gritted his teeth. Not only had she ignored his decision, undermined his authority, she had failed to appreciate the distress she had caused him, watching her near accident play out before his eyes.
It struck him deeply, how accustomed he had become to her company in such a short time. Marrying her had been a matter of mutual convenience. Somehow, with feminine wiles and charms, combined with her apparent meekness in the bedroom, she had unearthed emotions in him he hadn’t believed possible. The sweet and accomplished Caroline may be a good friend, but Alice had dug into his heart, extracting the tender side of his persona, the one which a battle hardened soldier must not reveal.
He grabbed her by the shoulders and gave her a brief shake, as if to knock sense into her. “I could not bear something terrible happening to you. Why can you not see that?”
Alice appeared struck dumb by his remark. Reaching out, she rested a hand against a stone column, as if to steady herself. “I scared you, did I not?”
For a soldier to confess to fear wasn’t easy. Swallowing hard, he nodded. “You are precious to me, Alice.”
“And I have made you angry too. It wasn’t my intention to fill you with displeasure. I do regret my choice,” said Alice slowly.
He tossed his hat away and ran his fingers through his hair. “What am I to do with you?” He knew what he needed from her and before he could tell her, she spoke, her voice soft and purposeful.
“I think you know, sir.” She looked down at the crop in her hand, chewing apprehensively on her lip. After a pause, she rested the crop on two outstretched hands and offered it to him. “And I do too. I would have you remind me of what you feel towards me, sir.”
He didn’t move. “I will not beat you in anger or with malice.”
