He blinked.
“I asked who uses the cart now.”
He brought his wife into focus. “The gig’s been primarily used by staff for errands.”
Cassandra continued to gaze at him in expectation, as if he should say more. He cleared his throat. “After you suggested we take carewith how we dress, I thought arriving on the farm in a glossy, ducal carriage replete with crest would also be at odds with our purpose.”
Again, her eyes lit with gratitude.
Yes, he’d heard. Yes, he’d listened. He wished she would stop displaying so much thankfulness when he showed her any simple consideration.
As his duchess, his consideration was her due. “Has no one ever taken your preferences to heart?”
Her face fell. Immediately, he regretted his question. He had his answer, however.Clearly not.
“You do,” she acknowledged softly.
“And I always will.”
His mood instantly shifted from fury to tenderness. He would protect her, even if he must protect her from himself, from his memories.
He placed his hand on the small of her back. “Come. Meet Trusty.”
She exchanged a few soothing words with the docile white pony.
“Would you like to drive?” he asked.
She lifted her shoulders. “I do not know how.”
She didn’t know how to drive? He frowned. “Unusual for a lady of your station.”
“I suppose my father didn’t want us running away.”
He wished he could take away some of that pain. “Do you wish to learn?”
She glanced doubtfully at the cart. “Is it safe?”
He examined the conveyance through her eyes. The simple bench’s modest upholstery made travel over rutted roads only marginally comfortable. The two wheels were perfectly secure but still large enough to appear unstable.
“Not, perhaps, with an untrained horse. But Trusty here is as reliable as they come.” He flashed a grin. “Right in his name, in fact.”
“Do you think I’m tall enough to be able to brace my feet?”
“Certainly.” Although she was not as tall as Vivianne. He suppressed a wince. “Being on the same level as the horse makes learning less fraught.”
She nodded, but her frown suggested she didn’t believe him.
“You learned on this cart?” she asked skeptically.
“Sarah, too. And I’m certain I can teach you.”
She shaded her eyes to study him. Then, she smiled. “Perhaps I will give driving a try on the way back.”
“There’s a fighting spirit.”
She pinked, he hoped, with pleasure. He handed her up into the box and then heaved himself up to slide in by her side.
“Ahem.” He wiggled his brows. “I look forward to the challenge.”
