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“The laird is just teasing, lass.” Aiden’s amused tone reassured her. “Open forest, eh? Are you ready to be away then?”
Blair responded before Roselyn could. “I believe she is. Shall we mount up?”
“Am I to ride with you, my lord?” Roselyn recalled vividly her first encounter with the huge stallion which Blair normally rode. She had visited Bartholomew in the stables once or twice since and believed the great beast to be affable enough, especially when a crunchy apple from Elspeth’s kitchens was on hand to sweeten his mood.
“No, you shall have your own mount. Aiden and I have picked out a gentle mare for you and I believe she should suit you well enough.”
“My own…? My lord, I do not think…”
He stepped in close to her. “I said I would give some consideration to the matter of your riding again, and I have. Whether or not you continue to do so after today is a matter for you to determine, but I am persuaded by Aiden that you should at least make the attempt. You will do so today with the both of us at your side and your dog at your mare’s heels. That is as safe as it could be and I believe you will manage just fine. So, are you ready to meet your new mare? If you take to her I shall make a gift of her to you.”
“You would give me a horse of my own?” She gasped. It was a generous gift indeed.
“Aye, I would. Young Will, bring Rosetta out if you please.”
“At once, Laird. She is saddled up already, just like you said.” A lad scampered off to do Blair’s bidding, and Roselyn waited nervously as the clop-clop of hooves heralded the approach of her new mare.
“This is Rosetta? It is a pretty name.” Roselyn extended her fingers, seeking the mare.
“Aye,” replied Blair. “She is a fine grey palfrey with a smooth gait and a sweet temper. Come, give me your hand.”
Roselyn required no further urging. Blair guided her to the soft muzzle and Roselyn smoothed her fingers across the velvety nose as the little mare nuzzled her palm. The horse snorted and clomped her hooves against the cobbles.
“Shall I help you into the saddle?” Blair offered.
“Thank you, my lord.” Roselyn made her way to the horse’s left flank and took hold of the pommel. She stopped and turned again. “This is a man’s saddle.”
“Aye, ‘twill be safer for you, and more enjoyable too, once you get the feel of it.”
“But, my skirts…”
“Elspeth will provide you with suitable attire for riding astride, if you choose to continue to do so after today. For now, you shall hitch up your skirts and I shall personally flog any man who dares leer. Is that quite plain to all?”
“Aye, Laird.” The muttered assurances were freely forthcoming from those gathered about.
“So, you shall place your left foot in my hands and throw your right leg across the mare’s back when I lift you. Is that clear enough?”
“It is, and, my lord… I used to ride astride when I was a girl. I believe I shall recall the skill readily enough.” She lifted her foot and sprang up as Blair hefted her into the air. Other hands—Aiden’s?—caught her right foot and guided it into the stirrup whilst Blair secured her left foot and arranged her skirts to maintain a degree of decorum. Roselyn gave no further thought to her modesty as the reins were placed between her fingers and she found herself atop a horse for the first time in years.
“I shall lead your mare, and we shall keep to a steady pace. If you tire you may ride with me. So, shall we be off then?” Blair offered her a companionable slap on the thigh, then suddenly they were in motion. Her knees instinctively tightened on the flanks of the mare, her heels nudged the animal into a smooth trot.
Roselyn laughed out loud.
* * *
“Am I to assume you enjoyed your outing today?” Blair draped an arm across her shoulders as they ate their evening meal with the rest of the Duncleit household. “Would you like to try some of Elspeth’s roast cygnet? ‘Tis one of my favourite dishes, especially with this apple and honey sauce.”
“Yes, it is delicious, thank you.” Roselyn captured a piece of the meat on the point of her small dagger and put it in her mouth. “In the priory we often laced such meats with cinnamon. You might like to try that too, my lord.”
“Please feel free to suggest it to Elspeth. So, about the mare?”
“She was delightful, and yes, I had a wonderful time. Thank you.”
“It is Aiden ye have to thank. He convinced me to allow you to try it, and Rosetta was his suggestion. Do you believe you might like to ride her again?”
Roselyn considered this for a few moments, then, “I would, yes. I was terrified at first, and nervous the whole time, but I enjoyed it and I did not fall off. I know that I slowed your progress, though.”
“We were not in a particular hurry today. So, Rosetta is to be yours then and you may ride her when you please. But there are conditions.”
