A Summer Shame by Elizabeth Ann West Read Free Book Online Page B

London. "Would now be too soon?"
    Elizabeth shooed her husband out and called for Becky. It was not until she wore the full outfit, complete with a beaver hat matching the fine fur lining the jacket, that the full weight of her decision rested on her shoulders.
    The woman in the mirror stood fearless, regal, and commanding, but the Mrs. Darcy staring at the reflection trembled at the thought of mounting a large beast and relying on its good sense for her safety. Elizabeth's thoughts were interrupted by the appearance of another in the mirror, a tall, handsome man in the tightest of breeches that left little to the imagination. For him, she would be strong.
    As they reached the paddock on the far side of the stables, Darcy pressed an apple into her hand. "I couldn't possibly eat, sir."
    "It's for the horse."
    A beautiful chestnut brown pony stood in the paddock, tufts of lighter hair hung loosely along its hooves, matching its mane and tail. Elizabeth had never seen such a sturdy breed of horse, though compact in size. She held out the apple and the horse clopped over to eat the treat from her hands, making her squirm in excitement. Once she calmed, she stroked the animal's muzzle, finding kindness in the dark, black eyes.
    "I do not see a saddle, surely I'm not to learn to ride bareback?" Elizabeth laughed as the horse snorted as if in response to her tease.
    "No, Elizabeth. As I instructed my sister, I shall instruct you. First, you must learn to saddle a horse."
    "But William, will not the grooms saddle my horse?" Elizabeth did not mind learning new skills, but this was quite peculiar.
    Darcy grabbed the sidesaddle from where it rested on the fence and motioned for Elizabeth to come over to the box. "Tomorrow, you'll learn to put reins on a horse, but first I want you to sit upon your new friend while I lead you around the paddock."
    As Elizabeth joined him at the box, he deposited the saddle into her arms, causing her to shrink slightly under the weight until she adjusted. He clicked his tongue and the horse obediently approached. As Darcy instructed her where to place the saddle and how to fasten the straps, she was at last introduced to her friend.
    "This is Zanzibar." Elizabeth greeted the horse by name and remarked on the exotic sounding name to which Darcy responded. "All of Captain Tompkins' horses are similarly named."
    "The Captain breeds horses?" Elizabeth was all astonishment and doing her best to draw out the moment when her husband would ask her to mount this Zanzibar creature.
    "His access to ports around the world brings a rather interesting variety to his breeds, Zanzibar here is a cross between a Belgian draft and a local mare, producing a sturdy, short pony. Perfect for a certain wife of mine." William smiled wide enough for her to see his dimples and Elizabeth knew the time had come.
    With a deep breath, she accepted his assistance to mount which he promised to offer only this one time. Feeling more and more like he was teaching her to swim by tossing her into a the middle of a pond, Elizabeth tried to still her nerves as she was now two-and-a-half times as high as she was accustomed.
    "I am going to lead you around the paddock and you can hold Zanzibar's mane, it will not hurt him."
    Elizabeth clutched a handful of the horse's mane, uttering her apologies.
    "Concentrate on holding your own balance. It's important to find your natural seat and find a rhythm with your mount."
    Feeling ridiculous, Elizabeth tried to find what Mr. Darcy called her natural seat, but wondered if she was failing miserably. At last he urged her to close her eyes and let go of the horse's mane.
    "Are you mad? I shall fall!"
    Darcy stopped the horse's leisurely walk and reached to touch his wife's gloved hands. "I shall not let you fall. Trust me."
    With a deep breath Elizabeth released the mane and closed her eyes. She heard Mr. Darcy click his tongue and at first, she was desperately afraid of falling but squeezed the pommel