Page 85 of Blood of the Thistle

“Jesu, the cow stood forty yards left of the target,” Harsain pointed out, scratching at the short brown beard along his jaw. “Lad’ll nae ever mark any achievement worthy of song, and mark me on that.”

Domnall snorted, while Bram grinned and advised, “Put the lad nearer the center tomorrow. If he persists in shooting left, we’ll need to ken whether ʼtis truly the wind as he claimed, or the bow itself. Or mayhap we learn the lad would be better suited to the sword.”

“Or we might move the cow,” suggested Calum from behind them.

This earned a round of laughter, which died away quickly when Harsain spoke again.

“Speaking of questionable instruction.”

Bram followed the direction of his gaze, through the few birch trees to their left.

Etta and Anastasia and a placid bay mare stood all alone perhaps fifty yards away in the lower meadow. Etta held the reins near the mare’s head while Anastasia stood beside the saddle, arranging her skirts with considerable care. Bram reined in with the others, watching as Anastasia gathered the excess wool over one arm, put her left foot into the stirrup, and made an awkward little hop on her right. She did not rise more than several inches before her foot returned to the ground.

“What are they about?” Calum asked.

“Seems Lady Etta is teaching the English lass to ride.”

“She isnae English,” Bram defended reflexively.

“Says ye,” Harsain murmured.

Anastasia tried again. This time Etta appeared to be giving instructions, though at that distance Bram could hear none of them, could only see his sister gesturing enthusiastically with one hand while keeping hold of the mare with the other. Anastasia listened, nodded, gathered her skirts more securely, and put her foot back into the stirrup.

She bounced once and then twice and on the third attempt she managed to pull herself considerably higher, only to lose whatever advantage she’d gained and come sliding inelegantly back to earth. A portion of her skirt got held up in the gear of the saddle and they watched as Anastasia fought to reclaim the fabric.

“Och,” Domnall murmured.

“She’s too small,” Niall said, “even for the wee mare.”

Anastasia stepped back from the mare, pushed several loose strands of pale hair away from her face, and said something to Etta. Whatever it was made Etta laugh, and after a moment Anastasia did as well. Bram watched the quick lift of her face, the brightness of her smile visible even from where he sat.

Etta was a passable rider, Bram thought. She could get herself from Craig na Coille to any neighboring holding without catastrophe and had sense enough not to attempt anything foolish. But Anastasia possessed no instincts around horses whatsoever, a fact proven when she’d lost their gelding on the road. A novice that green needed more than a passable teacher to keep her from harm.

“She’s fortunate she’s bonny,” Calum remarked.

Bram’s gaze left the meadow. “What has that to do with anything?”

Calum shrugged, still watching Anastasia. “A lass that bonny need only struggle so long. Give her another few days and mounting blocks will begin appearing wherever she goes.”

Domnall chuckled. “Carried by hopeful lads.”

Harsain’s mouth twitched beneath his beard.

Jaw tight, Bram returned his attention to Anastasia, who had apparently decided upon another attempt. “Etta has nae business teaching anyone to ride.”

“Lady Etta rides,” Calum said.

“Etta can sit a horse,” Bram corrected. “There is a difference.”

Harsain gave a slow nod. “Hasnae been tossed off in years.”

The men laughed again.

In the meadow, Anastasia put her foot into the stirrup once more.

This attempt began better. She gathered the front of the saddle in both hands, sprang from the ground, and managed to get most of her weight upward, but the mare chose that moment to shift one step sideways. Anastasia hopped after her with her right foot while her left remained caught in the stirrup, her body twisted awkwardly against the saddle while Etta struggled to pull the mare to a halt.

Anastasia freed her foot and stepped away, apparently unharmed.