He stepped to one side to show her the horse he expected her to be able to ride. A mare with impossibly large eyes moved forward, her dark-grey head only just reaching over the stable door. The horse gently nuzzled Grace’s hat, and Grace let out a surprised, ‘Oh.’
‘Is that a goodoh, or a “get this animal away from me”oh?’
‘It is a, “she is surprisingly beautiful for a scary beast.”‘ Daisy made a huffing noise that sounded a little like a laugh and some of Grace’s terror fled.
Tobias patted Daisy’s neck. ‘She is a sweetheart, who does not have a rider at the moment. If you find you enjoy spending time with her, she is yours for the duration of your visit.’
It was a generous offer, which would not dispel any of the rumours flying around about them.
‘Can I touch her?’
Tobias moved his hand and rubbed the horse’s nose, the motion bringing him closer to Grace so that she could inhale the faint scent of his cologne, a smell she worried she was addicted to. Daisy nudged him back affectionately. ‘She enjoys any attention,’ he said, and for a moment, Grace thought he was speaking about her.
‘Like this?’ Her hand followed Tobias’, tracing a line along Daisy’s nose until their fingers were only a hair’s breadth apart. The two of them stood like that for a while. Under Grace’s palm the horse’s hair was soft and warm. Next to her, she could sense the steady rise and fall of Tobias’ chest.
‘I think she likes you,’ murmured Tobias.
‘Of course she does. I am very likeable.’ Tobias’ huff of laughter brushed against Grace’s skin. ‘Why do you have her, if no one is riding her?’
‘I…’ He shifted his feet. ‘I am not sure I want to tell you.’
‘Why? Did you obtain her illegally?’ Grace now had no intention of letting him get away with not telling her.
‘No, I…’ He clicked his tongue. ‘Actually, yes, let us say that. I stole her from… someone evil. It was a feat of great cunning and… bravery.’
She realised she was grinning when her cheeks ached. ‘What can be worse than obtaining Daisy by nefarious means?’
In the enclosure next to them there was a deep neigh. Tobias sighed. ‘It seems that Montagu wants me to tell you the truth. But if you breathe a word of this story to anyone at all, you can forget getting your hands on my cook’s fruit cake.’
‘Who is Montagu?’
‘I want the promise, Grace, before I speak another word on the subject.’
‘Very well. I shall add this to the long list of things I am keeping from your family, who are lovely.’
‘Lovely they may be, but they are very keen on torturing one another when they discover something that is even mildly embarrassing.’
‘Like the time you went swimming in the Serpentine.’
He narrowed his eyes and she giggled, surprising herself with the innocent sound.
‘Exactly like that, yes.’
‘I promise not to breathe a word. Now will you tell me who Montagu is?’
‘Montagu is the prize stallion I purchased recently. He is in the stable next to Daisy’s. Daisy is the love of his life.’
The other horse snorted, as if he were agreeing with Tobias.
‘How do you know such a thing?’
Tobias sighed again, sounding very put upon. ‘Once I bought him, he became half the man he’d been before my purchase. He was, for want of a better word, pining.
‘I went back to the initial seller. Montagu is a magnificent animal and I was reluctant to return him, but I wondered if perhaps he was used to a special diet or conditions. The seller mentioned Daisy, who had grown up around Montagu, sharing his paddock. Apparently, she had been miserable since I had taken away her great love, refusing to eat and only standing about with her head hanging down. The only solution I could think of was to buy her as well. Both of them were overjoyed to be reunited. Montagu is now as proud a stallion as ever and Daisy is happy to follow him around when they are let out to graze.’
Daisy demonstrated her contentedness by nuzzling against Grace’s neck.
‘How much did you pay for Daisy?’ asked Grace, fascinated to discover this soft side to Tobias.
