[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.Even in such a world, he thought, childrenfound a way to be children.As he drew closer to the stables, he heard the low cackle of hens.Therewere men on the roof, working on a chimney.They tipped their caps tohim as he passed under the eaves and into the stables.It was warmer, thanks to carefully banked fires, and clean as a parlor.The queen, he thought, tended her goats and chickens well.Iron kettlesheated over the fires.Water for the stock, he concluded, made frommelted snow.He noted barrows of manure.For use in her garden, hedecided.A wise and practical woman, Queen Deirdre.Then he saw the wise and practical woman, with her red hood tossedback, her gold hair raining down as she cooed up at his warhorse.When the horse shook its great head and blew, she laughed.The richfemale sound warmed his blood more thoroughly than the fires."His name is Cathmor."Startled, embarrassed, Deirdre dropped the hands she'd lifted to strokethe horse's muzzle.She knew she shouldn't have lingered, that he wouldcome check on his horse as it had been reported he did twice daily.Butshe'd so wanted to see the creature herself."You have a light step.""You were distracted." He walked up beside her, and to her surprise anddelight, the horse bumped his shoulder in greeting."Does that mean he's glad to see you?""It means he's hoping I have an apple."Deirdre fingered the small carrot from her garden she'd tucked in herpocket."Perhaps this will do." She pulled it out, started to offer it toKylar."He would enjoy being fed by a lady.No, not like that." He took herhand and, opening it, laid the carrot on her palm."Have you never fed ahorse?""I've never seen one." She caught her breath as Cathmor dipped his headand nibbled the carrot out of her palm."He's bigger than I imagined, andmore handsome.And softer." Unable to resist, she stroked her handdown the horse's nose."Some of the children have been keeping himcompany.They'd make a pet of him if they could.""Would you like to ride him?""Ride?""He needs the exercise, and so do I.I thought I would hunt this morning.Come with me."To ride a horse? Just the idea of it was thrilling."I have duties.""I might get lost alone." He brought her hand back up, ran it under hisalong Cathmor's silky neck."I don't know your forest.And I'm still a bitweak."Her lips twitched."Your wits are strong enough.I could send a manwith you.""I prefer your company."To ride a horse, she thought again.How could she resist? Why shouldshe? She was no fluttery girl who would fall into stutters and blushes bybeing alone with a man.Even this man."All right.What do I do first?"."You wait until I saddle him."She shook her head."No, show me how to do it."When it was done, she sent one of the boys scurrying off to tell Orna shewas riding out with the prince.She needn't have bothered, for as theywalked the horse out of the stables, her people began to gather at thewindows, in the courtyard.When he vaulted into the saddle, they cheered him like a hero."It's been a long time since they've seen anyone ride," she explained asCathmor pranced in place."Some of them, like me, never have." She letout a breath."It's a long way up.""Give me your hand." He reached down to her."Trust me."She would have to if she wanted this amazing treat.She offered herhand, then yelped in shock when he simply hauled her up in the saddlein front of him."You might have warned me you intended to drag me up like a sack ofturnips.If you've opened your wound again-""Quiet," he whispered, entirely too close to her ear for comfort, and withher people cheering, he kicked Cathmor into a trot."Oh." Her eyes popped wide as her bottom bounced."It's not what Iexpected." And hardly dignified.With shouts and whoops, children raced after them as they trotted out ofthe castle."Match the rhythm of your body to the gait of the horse," he told her."Yes, I'm trying.Must you be so close?" He grinned."Yes.And I'menjoying it.You shouldn't be uneasy with a man, Deirdre, when you'veseen him naked.""Seeing you naked hardly gives me cause to relax around you," she shotback.With a rolling laugh, he urged the horse to a gallop.Her breath caught, but with delight rather than fear.Wind rushed by hercheeks, and snow flew up into the air like tattered lace.She closed hereyes for an instant to absorb the sensation, and the wild thrill made herdizzy.So fast, she thought.So strong [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]