Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty-Five

E liza tightened her grip on the reins, her heart racing as the stallion beneath her shifted restlessly.

She had seen Anthony ride this horse with ease, and she was determined to prove that she could handle the powerful animal too. She had ridden many spirited horses both as a girl and during her time at Mrs. West's, and Anthony's should be no different.

The stable hands were busy, and she had quietly led the horse out on her own, speaking softly to calm him as she mounted.

"All right, boy. Let's see what you're made of," she told him as they moved forward.

The morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the path ahead. She gently nudged the horse forward, and for a few moments, everything seemed under control. The stallion's gait was smooth, and Eliza felt a surge of confidence.

Despite the serene landscape, Eliza's mind raced with what had happened between her and Anthony the day before. After all this time, Anthony had finally claimed her, and she had gotten to experience the pleasure she had so often heard he could offer, yet…

She pushed that thought out of her mind. She had her freedom now, and Anthony, even if the latter was under particular conditions, she was content with that.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a gust of wind rustled the leaves, and the horse reared, startled.

Eliza's heart leapt into her throat as she tightened her grip on the reins, but the stallion bolted, his powerful legs propelling them forward with alarming speed.

"Whoa! Steady!" Eliza called out, trying to keep her voice calm, though panic laced her words.

The reins burned her hands as she struggled to regain control. The horse was wild with fear, his ears pinned back as he galloped away from the estate. The landscape blurred around her, the wind whipping her hair into her face as she clung to the saddle. Her pulse thundered in her ears, drowning out everything else.

Be calm , she told herself, be calm.

With a deep breath, Eliza focused on the task at hand. She began to apply steady pressure to the reins, her hands trembling but determined.

She spoke softly to the stallion, trying to make her tone as soothing as possible, "Easy now, easy."

The horse resisted at first, his head tossing wildly, but her persistence began to pay off. She adjusted her grip, applying a gentle, but firm pressure on the reins, her voice a steadying force. Gradually, the stallion's frantic pace began to slow, his breathing heavy and erratic but easing.

"Easy, boy," Eliza repeated, her tone calm and reassuring.

The stallion finally came to a stop in a secluded clearing, surrounded by trees, where the chaos of the ride seemed to dissolve into a semblance of peace. Eliza's breath came in ragged gasps, her entire body trembling as the adrenaline coursed through her.

She carefully dismounted, her legs shaky as she touched the ground. As she steadied herself, she glanced back to see Anthony riding up from behind, feeling the stirrings of the earlier passion still vivid in her body.

Anthony's stern voice cut through the haze of her thoughts, pulling her back to the present moment.

"What were you thinking?" his voice was low yet sharp, as though he tried to contain his anger—no doubt to prevent the horse from getting spooked again. "That stallion is not a horse to be taken out lightly. You could have been killed!"

"I am used to spirited horses," she replied, "And I managed to handle him just fine."

Anthony dismounted swiftly, his movements controlled but tense. He stepped closer, his eyes narrowing.

"Handling him is one thing, Eliza, but you took an unnecessary risk," he said, his voice edged with frustration and fear, perhaps; though he'd never admit it.

Eliza straightened, her legs still shaky.

"I didn't intend for things to get out of hand," she replied, "But I wasn't going to let fear control me. I knew I could bring him back under control."

Anthony's jaw tightened, his concern evident despite his attempts to maintain a stern demeanor. "It's not just about control, Eliza. That horse is dangerous, especially when startled. You need to be more careful. You were lucky this time."

She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves, but also refusing to let him reprimand her like a child.

"I appreciate your concern, Anthony," she said, her tone softening slightly. "But I am not as fragile as you think. I know what I'm doing."

He ran a hand through his hair, his anger giving way to a weary sigh.

"It's not about fragility," he said quietly, stepping closer until he was standing right in front of her, but then halted, as though he were held back by an invisible string.

"What is about then?" she asked, her heart fluttering at the proximity.

They were close, so close that she could hear his breathing.

He glanced down at her lips, his eyes darkening.

"It's… about safety. I wouldn't want whispers to circulate that I have been putting my wife in danger," he muttered and as though snapping out of a trance, he stepped back, clearing his throat.

So, this was about appearances.

"Ah, of course," she replied, disappointment wrapping around her chest like the most constricting of corsets, "We wouldn't want that."

"Yes," he nodded, looking around.

Hesitating, she asked, "How did you know I was out here?"

Anthony blinked, then scratched the back of his head, "I wanted to go for a ride myself. I noticed the horse was already gone."

"Well, he's a good boy."

"Indeed. A bit unruly, but he can be managed with gentleness."

"Hm. I suppose that makes two of us," the words escaped her mouth before she could realize.

Anthony's expression softened, "Indeed. Though I think you can be handled with some roughness."

The implication in his words sent a thrill through her. She met his gaze with a smirk, her own eyes flashing with mischief.

"Is that what you think?" she quirked an eyebrow.

"Mmhm. A bit of a firm hand, so to speak," he responded, stepping closer.

"I wonder what that means," she whispered to him.

"You'll soon find out. After dinner," he said and leaned back.

"After dinner?"

"Mmhm. Patience is a virtue, dear wife."

"I wouldn't want you to think of me as unvirtuous," she said, feigning innocence.

"Oh, darling. I think you and I both know that I prefer you unvirtuous," he purred and leaned in just a bit, enough to frustrate her, because he pulled back right after.

"I shall see you at dinner," he added, "please, do not injure that luscious body of yours until then."

She watched as Anthony turned away, leading the stallion back toward the stables.

And even though her entire body fluttered with excitement, the concern he'd shown over her safety had stirred a tiny part of her; a part that felt a bit of hope.

She quickly quieted that part. Things were perfectly fine as they were.

"Get a hold of yourself," Eliza whispered to herself and grabbed the horse's reins, leading him away from the forest, and back to the stables.