“I’m surprised to see you here this morning,” he said.
“I was ordered to.” Cassandra scrunched her nose and then surprised him by turning to his horse. “Good morning, Sabre.”
Seth tilted his head. “You know his name?”
“Of course,” she bristled. “I know the names of every problem at Cooper House. I had to endure complaints of him for a week after you arrived. He doesn’t like to be pinned up and won’t accept another rider. He bit at James whenever he fed him. But, I figured out a solution.” She pulled a green apple out of her pocket and presented it to Sabre. “He’s easily bribed.”
With a pleased puff of air, Sabre’s tongue lopped out of his mouthand wrapped around the fruit. Strong teeth broke the apple in half with a crunch, chewing on one half while the other fell between their feet. Seth picked it up, and to his surprise, Cassandra took it from his hand to feed Sabre herself. Cooing, she reached out and rubbed the horse’s neck; he nickered and blew air out of his nose in pleased snorts.
“He likes you.” He smiled.
“We’ve gotten to know each other quite well. My morning walk-through includes the stable, you know.” He did. “I stop by after I’m finished with the garden.” She smiled, cupped her hand near his ear, and whispered, “Carrots are his favorite.”
“Something the two of you have in common.” Seth grinned.
“I was going to say the same thing.” Cassandra paused and blinked. “How did you know?”
“I… uh…. Everyone likes carrots.”
He rubbed the back of his neck.
She raised a brow.
He said nothing.
“Right,” she said slowly, and then, shaking her head, Cassandra gestured to the mare with a sigh. “I’m normally good with horses, but not this one. And I’ve given hertwoapples. They’ve assured me that she’s the most docile horse in the barn, but she dances when I’m on top of her.”
“Are you a nervous rider?”
“Not usually,” she admitted. “But, I’ve never been on a hunt before. Not even with Papa. I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing, or where I’m supposed to be. And then there’s…” Cassandra looked away, and under her breath, she said a soft syllable that sounded like the word ‘you’. He stole a glance at her mouth, where he saw a hint of her teeth as she bit down on her lower lip.
Seth forgot how to breathe.
He wanted to be alone with her. Somewhere she could drop herguard and let him in, as she had done in the library. There was so much unspoken between them, and questions that needed answers.Tell me I’m not alone in this. The letter burned in his pocket and tugged painfully at his heart.Tell me this isn’t a love letter to someone else.
Forcing in a breath, he looked at Cooper, still in deep conversation with Mr. Sanderson.
Not now.
“Horses can sense your fear,” Seth said, instead. “You should try relaxing.”
“Oh yes, brilliant idea.” Cassandra crossed her arms, glowering. “If only I had thought of that.”
Preparing to depart, Seth unhooked his rucksack and bedroll and placed them in the lower branches of a tree.
“Did you sleep outside?”
He nodded.
“I was ordered to.”
“Matthew ordered you to sleep outside?” She redirected her glower at her brother. “On theground?”
Cooper turned his head to them, frowning. “I could care less if he sleeps on the ground, a roof, or a raft on the ocean. The methods don’t matter as long as I get the results that I want.”
“That is certainly your motto.” Cassandra rolled her eyes.
Seth chuckled while Cooper shot her a speaking glance and opened his watch before snapping it closed.
