Suddenly a Bride by Callen Gayle

Author:Callen, Gayle
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical romance
Publisher: Gayle Callen
Published: 2021-11-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Gwyneth dressed in the morning still unable to believe she’d persuaded Edmund to take her with him. Her heart felt light, and she tried to think up other ways to maneuver him into kissing her. Sometimes it was easy to forget that she had another reason besides happiness to want a good marriage.

After breaking her fast, she took a basket of food for the journey out into the courtyard, only to see two saddled horses outside the stables. Edmund was adjusting the girth on The General.

Her steps slowed as she eyed the much smaller brown horse with a lovely white star on its forehead. Although she was nervous at the thought of riding solo, she was even more disappointed not to be riding in her husband’s lap. Such closeness could only further their intimacy—which Edmund had seemed to realize. She gave a heavy sigh.

He must have caught her response, because he held up a hand. “You have to attempt this sometime. This is not an easy country to walk in.”

“Can I not ride with you?” she asked.

“But then what will you have accomplished?”

Another kiss?

He walked around to the other horse. “You’ve ridden the General at a hard gallop. Trotting this little pony will seem easy.”

“ ’Tis not a little pony.” She stiffened as the horse nudged her arm.

“She wants you to pet her.”

Gwyneth awkwardly rubbed the animal’s nose.

“She’s a very gentle old girl,” Edmund continued. “She has birthed many a prize horse, and she does not startle easily. We’ll take our time.”

“ ’Tis a shame that Lydia’s not here.”

“Who?”

“My youngest sister. She’s quite fond of animals, and they used to follow her home. I am certain she’d find some way to make me feel at ease.”

“I can make you feel at ease.” He finally noticed the basket and frowned. “Gwyneth, we shall be in Richmond before noon.”

“I’d rather be prepared,” she said quickly. “And I remembered to bring food you could put in a saddle bag.”

He gave her a little half smile that made her heart warm.

“Start handing things to me.”

When they were all ready, he turned to help her mount the mare, but she backed away.

“Gwyneth?”

“I know I am being foolish, Edmund,” she said, wearing a shaky smile.

“Try petting her.”

He showed her how to stroke the horse’s nose and the special place she liked between the ears.

“What is her name?”

“Star.”

“Just what I would have picked.” Gwyneth watched his gentleness with the animal and felt a sense of peace steal over her. She was so lucky to find a man like him to marry. It felt strange to owe Earl Langston her gratitude.

After having her feed a carrot to Star, he said, “ ’Tis time to try mounting her. It would be easier for you to learn to control the horse when riding astride instead of perched on a sidesaddle.” He smiled gently. “Trust me.”

She used a stool to reach the stirrups and get up into the saddle. She was taller than Edmund like this and could see many people in the courtyard as they stopped to watch her.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.