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Vanni seems surprised by that. “I know you’ve few horses here, but surely you’ve ridden one before?”

“There is no building in Murwood End I cannot walk to, so nay, I’ve never ridden a horse before. Most of our people travel by sea, and no visitors have ever offered to take me for a ride. Nor would have I accepted if they had done so.”

“Dex will not harm you.”

He takes my hand and leads me to him, placing it on the horse’s mane. His hair is rough yet surprisingly smooth despite it. Such a large animal. Yet he has gentle, patient eyes. A calm comes over me as I stroke him, the horse’s energy easily identifiable as peaceful.

“Shall I bring him back to the stables, lord?”

Vanni looks from his squire to me, the question plain in his eyes. While I’d prefer to walk, mayhap this is a night for adventure.

“I would ride with you?”

“Aye.”

Vanni will keep me safe. So I nod.

He mounts easily despite the horse’s size.

“Give me your hand,” he commands. “Hike up your gown and put your foot there.” He points to the stirrup. “Toss the other one over Dex’s side.”

I do as he says and, as easily as if I were a child, he pulls me up in front of him. Settling in, I rearrange my gown, but my gaze finds the ground. It is so far down.

“I’m scared,” I admit, whispering so his squire does not hear me.

Vanni leans forward, his breath tickling my exposed ear.

“There is no need to be afraid when you are with me, Aedre.”

Though I know his promise only extends to this eve, I can’t help wishing it meant something more. Something longer.

Wrapping one arm around my waist, he takes the reins from his squire with the other.

I jolt a little as we begin to move forward, but he tightens his grip.

“I’ll not let go,” he says in my ear, sending a very different jolt through me.

The sight of a horse making its way along the quay is not so unusual as to garner much attention, yet everyone who sees us stares. Perhaps it’s Vanni they’re looking at—I know I won’t be able to stop staring at him all night—or it may be the sight of us together that interests them so.

“How do you feel?” he asks.

More secure than I should.

“Odd,” I admit. Father and Amma will be amused to hear about this. I’d never expected to ride a horse. Nor had I ever given thought to leaving Murwood End. I won’t, of course, but riding with Vanni, my back pressed to his front, I’m struck by the image of us riding off together. Going somewhere else.

Desire truly does make a person act insensibly.

“Dex is more accustomed to battle than he is to bearing two riders, but he’s doing well.”

When I look back at Vanni, his face so very close, I find it difficult to reconcile this man with the one who sheltered with me in the sea cave. This is the nobleman I first met.

“You really are the king’s commander.”

His smile is so easily given I cannot help but return it. “I am.”

“’Tis impressive for a man your age?”

So as not to strain my neck, I look out toward the water, but I can still see Vanni’s profile. I can feel him behind me.