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Nash laughed, the sound deep and genuine. “A logical conclusion, and a correct one, I would presume, although I’ve yet to need his medical services. Let us say his heritage is one in which he’s become most adept at riding. He taught me a few tricks. Would you like to see?”
Priscilla nodded, wondering what he might do.
“Oh, please show us, Lord Nash,” Honoria chimed in.
“Yes. Do show us.” Timothy’s encouragement reeked with sarcasm, and Priscilla couldn’t resist sneaking a peek over her shoulder to see if his expression matched.
It was foul indeed.
The cut didn’t appear to faze Nash in the least. He continued to smile charmingly. “Very well. Would it offend you if I removed my coat? For ease of movement, you understand.”
At that, Priscilla’s cheeksdidwarm. “Of course not.”
He removed his coat and his hat, and handed them to her, then studied the path before them. For what, she didn’t know. Riders approached from the opposite direction and passed, leaving the stretch before them relatively clear.
“I’ll start with something easy.” With a nudge of his boots, the horse took off in a trot. He slipped his boots from the stirrups, pointing his toes down, released the reins, and held his arms out to the side.
She clapped her hands in delight. “Marvelous!”
“Show off,” Timothy muttered behind her. “It’s something any cavalry man worth his salt can do.”
“Are you able to do that, Dr. Marbry?” Honoria asked.
“If I wanted to show off, certainly. However, some of us have more restraint.”
Nash reined in the horse and trotted back to them.
“Child’s play,” Timothy said.
Nash chuckled. “Is that a challenge?”
Timothy jerked his chin. “I don’t stoop to such foolishness.”
Priscilla darted a glance toward Honoria, whose lips tipped up in a show of camaraderie. What was it about men?
Nash snorted a laugh, then directed his attention back to Priscilla. “Would you like to see something else? Something more daring, perhaps?”
Excitement tripped up her spine. “Is it dangerous?” Her words came out in a combination of a gasp and a whisper.
Nash gave a careless shrug. “Depends on whom you ask. However, I promise you, I will be perfectly safe.”
“Then, yes, please.”
Checking again, presumably to make sure the path remained clear, Nash dismounted. With one hand grabbing on to the horse’s whithers and the other the mane, he urged his horse into a quick trot as he ran along beside. He bounced three times, then vaulted up into the saddle in one fluid motion.
Priscilla’s hand rose unbidden to her throat. “Oh, my goodness!” She cast a surreptitious glance back at Timothy, who simply continued to glare.
Reseated on his mount, Nash trotted back. After he retrieved and donned his coat and hat, he grinned at Priscilla. “I’d wager not many of your suitors can perform that trick, my lady.”
“Didn’t you learn anything about wagering, Nash? You didn’t fare so well from that last one with my brother-in-law.” That retort came from Timothy.
Nash waved a dismissive hand. “A figure of speech, dear fellow.”
When Timothy appeared as if he were ready to take offense, Priscilla intervened. “I, for one, am duly impressed, my lord. Wouldn’t it be marvelous if women could ride astride and perform such daring acrobatics, Lady Honoria?”
“You’re a braver soul than I, Miss Pratt.”
Priscilla admired Honoria’s self-deprecating statement. “Not at all. I have enough difficulty remaining seated riding sidesaddle.” She had grown to like the quiet redhead.
