Royally Rebellious: An arranged royal romance (Resplendent Royals Book 1)

Chapter 11

Rick invited me out on a hack the day following dinner with Celeste. I was not invited to breakfast, which made me uncomfortable. Frightened about what she told him in my absence, I focused instead on the barn. My sisters were jealous. It had been years since any of us had been allowed to climb onto a horse. It was “too risky” but so was Rick getting away. So, Celeste stayed quiet.

I spent an hour planning what to wear—unlike me. I wasn’t interested in Rick in a genuine sense, but impressions mattered. I didn’t want him to see me as an ogre if he was still on the fence. He’d have to look at me every day for at least a couple of years. Maybe he’d have to look at me long enough for us to struggle through having children. That idea did not appeal to me at this time, but I’d cross that bridge when I got there.

We rode over to the stables together, spending time sitting close to one another. I wanted it to work. I wanted a connection with him that went beyond a business relationship. I’d felt something the night before, but now it vanished. We had little in common until we picked our mounts at the barn.

There, we immediately bonded over horses. Rick wasn’t just a polo player. Unlike many of the men in our social strata who would show up, ride a few horses at a match, and then leave, he was tender with herd. He doted. They weren’t solely a means to an end with his sport. I respected that about him. The common bond broke us out of our shells.

We headed out to the trails.

“We have the nicest trails to have a hack on,” I said. “I know you do not find Neandia exciting, Rick, but… we have some areas of natural beauty. This place is a little hideaway. You’ll grow to love it if you spend time here.”

“It’s very nice—like your garden. Do you not come here? It is beautiful.”

“I used to stay here for hours! Before his health declined, I would come out here every day with my grandfather. Asti and I hacked out with him most days. Then, when he couldn’t manage that, he would sit in the stands of the indoor ring and watch our lessons. We kept up with it until Celeste put a stop to it a couple of years ago. I had a fall—not even a bad one—on a green horse and she refused to let any of us return.”

Rick grimaced as we trotted down the lane. “Well, that would make me go crazy. It’s my favourite place to escape to. I can think. No one bothers me. I’ve taken refuge at the barn as of late. Shame you cannot do the same.”

“I agree.”

“If I stay on for a bit, do you think she will ease up and let you come with me?”

I perked up. “I’d assume yes. Would you consider it?”

“I have,” Rick said.

“So, you changed your mind?”

“I softened to the idea, Alexandra. I enjoy your company enough to enter into some sort of agreement. It might be the best thing for us both. Celeste is oppressive. I would like to help you. I am obligated to help.”

“But would you be able to manage it? I mean, we’re… in an agreement?”

“I am alright with that for now. It’s not forever, right? We do this to get you your freedom, give everyone a fairytale, and then reassess.”

I smiled. “And should you… well, I am not encouraging things… but it’s not unusual that a man in your position might…”

He shook his head. “I appreciate that, Alexandra. We do not need to address it now. I don’t need to discuss this.”

“I don’t know what I can promise you, Rick. I’d hate to see you miserable. I know I don’t know you, but it isn’t my intent?—”

“I know. Don’t apologise, Alexandra.”

I blushed, not sure what to say. He was dutiful. Maybe we could do this after all? I wasn’t sure what it would completely require, but I was excited to try. I could taste freedom. His intent to break me out of the palace walls to go riding alone spoke volumes. I trusted him more than I should, but it was a better chance to be happy than being locked in the palace walls with a tyrant. So far, he did not seem a control freak.

“Race me?” I asked, knowing full well my mount was faster.

I gave Rick no time to react, kicking my horse into a rolling canter. I gave him a moment to catch up before flicking my gelding’s shoulder with a crop and picking up a gallop. The horse roared forward. It was heaven to have the wind in my face. Seeing the world through a horse’s ears was the greatest blessing. I relished it until I pulled up at a large paddock gate. Inside, broodmares and foals grazed.

Rick soon caught up.

“Unfair!” He laughed. “Damn, you are fast!”

I beamed. “I can be, yes.”

“Having fun at my expense?”

“Oh, come on. It’s not that bad, Rick.”

He chuckled as I opened the gate and let him through. We walked out for a bit, finally finding the herd grazing. Foals ran up, curious about the new arrivals. We let our horses munch momentarily. As they grazed, we played with the foals.

“New babies are my favourite thing,” I said. “Who doesn’t love foals?”

“Pesky things,” Rick said as a liver chestnut nibbled his bootlace.

I giggled. “That one is Rickie. I got to come out here for a PR stunt on the day he was born.”

“No wonder he likes me.”

“Clearly.”

“You have such stunning land, Alexandra. It’s heaven out here.”

“You don’t have anything like this?”

“We have pastures, but our country is mountainous. It doesn’t afford vast spaces like this. It’s beautiful in a different way. Have you never been to Lundhavn?”

I shook my head. “Embarrassed to tell you I have not, but I will be honest. I have been few places outside of here, Belgium, and Denmark. My mother was Danish?—”

“That I know. Well, we will be expected to have a stop in Lundhavn, of course. If we are to do this thing, then that will be expected.”

I was unsure of how to react. Was he on board now? Was this a confirmation? Was I getting married? It was all confusing. I needed a final determination—something clear to go on. If so, we needed to make plans. But how?

“How do we do it? And is this your final decision?”

Rick nodded. “I would like to try. And I think I have some ideas about how to make this a bit better for us both. Let’s cause a media firestorm.”

I cocked my head. “How? Why?”

“Tip off the press. Sell it. Make it the greatest love story of all time. I’m not the best actor, but I can be convincing. And you are surprisingly good at getting your point across. We could be a dynamic duo, Alexandra.”

I blushed. “Well, I’m shy.”

“I’m not. We’re good.”

“How do we do that?”

“Hire a real publicist to manage it. Work with the press through back channels. They will make your grandmother and my parents very happy with lovely, fluffy stories that make us seem the Couple of the Century.”

I smiled. “And it will make the people happy.”

“Exactly! Celeste may have the upper hand now, but when people fall in love with you, they will want more and more of you—and us—than boring old Celeste. She’s old news.”

“People loved her.”

“Nah. We’re much more attractive, I think.”

I snickered.

“Do you want to do it? Leave breadcrumbs for a couple of weeks and blow it up? Then, announce it. Make a big deal out of it. We gotta play it up. We’re a couple now. We will get caught because we’re so in love that we cannot hide it anymore.”

“How will we do that?”

“Plant stories. Get caught. Finally admit we’re getting married. And then do the thing. By that point, we will already have the date held and throw ourselves into full planning mode. I leave that up to you, of course.”

I smiled. “Fairytale wedding even if it’s a farce?”

“It’s a farce but the ends will justify the means. You will be free, Alexandra. Your sisters can do their own things. We will make the people happy. We are the heroes in this timeline.”

“The heroes,” I echoed, thinking it through. “I’ve never thought of myself as a hero.”

“You will be the wonderful heroine who falls for the handsome prince,” Rick said. “I will be taken aback by the cunning queen. And together, we will rule the world, right?”

“We will rule the world. Let’s do it!”

I locked eyes with him, unable to escape his boyish grin. This must do for now.

We returned to the stables having decided on a plan. I was golden, beaming ear-to-ear over our agreement. However, my happiness was short-lived. Rick and I took the horses back to their paddocks, chatting all the while. As far as horses were concerned, we were a united front. We both loved them. Talking about this was easy. Everyone was in good spirits until we ended up back in the stable aisle.

There, several grooms assembled.

“What is going on?” I asked in French.

I saw a horse down in a stall. It was my beloved Barney. My heart raced.

“Barney,” I said, pushing the grooms aside.

I sat in the stall, pleading with him to get up.

He was colicking. Feeling helpless I stood and pulled, begging him to stand. I sobbed, demanding he comply in three languages. I felt terrible. Losing a horse was awful but losing one to colic was even worse. It wasn’t the first time we”d lost an animal like this, but it might be the hardest loss yet. Barney was everything! If we didn’t get him up he would be a goner.

Tears in my eyes, I turned to Rick.

“Can you help me get him up?”

Rick nodded and moved closer. He knew as well as I how bad this was.

He took charge. “Can someone bring me a lunge line?”

A groom dashed in with one as soon as he could find what Rick needed.

“Now. Just light pressure as if he”s skittish getting on the trailer. Alexandra, pull when we start pushing.”

I understood, even with my brain addled.

“Alright. Un, deux, trois,” I said.

Rick pushed. I pulled. We clucked our hearts out.

“Alexandra,” Rick said, remarkably calm. “Sweetheart, can you just try again? Try one more time. Give him lots of encouragement.”

I nodded bravely. We counted once more. The horse thought about it but remained unsure. Rick gave him a bit of encouragement, smacking him hard on the rear. Barney did not like this. He pinned his ears and lurched forward, managing to nearly nail Rick with his hind right hoof. It worked! My boy was standing again!

“See, the asshole has some fight left in him. Sorry, bud. I didn’t mean to frighten you, okay?”

Rick patted Barney on the shoulder who pinned his ears in protest.

I showered the horse in praise. “Good boy. Very, very good boy. We’re going to get the vet here and we will make you better. Promise. We’ll stay with you until you’re up and good. Okay?”

It wasn’t over yet. We still had many walks to do. Colic was a long road. It wasn’t over until the horse’s gut caught up and decided to work again. We could only hope that with some medication and movement, Barney would work it out. I felt helpless, but Rick didn’t give up. He stayed with me even if he didn”t have to. Rick wasn’t all bad.

“So, this guy, he’s special then?” Rick asked.

We were in the middle of our third long walk with Barney. There were some good signs. If he didn’t improve soon, he’d be on the next float to the equine hospital in Belgium. I wanted to avoid that. At Barney’s age, he would be lucky to survive the surgery.

“He was my grandfather’s favourite mount. And he’s in his late twenties. He’s one of the few reminders of Grand-Papa. When he goes, I will be broken. And this… it cannot end like this.”

“Nah. It won’t. He’s too dignified and feisty an old man,” Rick said.

I giggled. “He’s still cross with you!”

“Well, it was all for progress. I am sorry, buddy. I will need to earn my way back into your good graces, huh?”

Barney was unimpressed.

“Okay, that’s fifty minutes. Time to break.” Rick turned off the alarm.

We put Barney in cross-ties. I slid down a wall to sit in the aisle. I looked at the horse, my chin resting on my knees. I wanted him to perk up so badly. He must pull through! It would destroy Ingrid to lose Barney.

“He’s Ingrid’s favourite, too,” I said. “It wasn’t just Grand-Pere. He is such a good old man, Rick. It would end Ingy if we lost him.”

“I can tell. Everyone is pulling for him. Me included.”

Rick sat next to me, our shoulders touching.

“I’m sorry. I don’t want you to think I’ve imprisoned you here.”

“Nah. At a stables? Impossible, Alexandra! I could spend all my days like this. Well, with better circumstances, but… I am happiest with the horses. I suspect you are, too?”

I nodded. “I missed this—the smell of the barn, the sound of horse hooves on the aisle, and the feeling of horsehair getting stuck in my mouth. This time of year?—”

“They’re always shedding like crazy. Yeah. Pumice stones.”

I laughed. “For sure! Look, I am so sorry. This was a chance for us to get to know one another and… now what?”

“We’ve got nothing but time,” Rick said. There was a sweetness in his voice. Was he warming up to me? I assumed yes.

“I guess.”

“There is no better way to get to know someone than this. Well, if you’re a horse person?”

“We’re all a bit odd, yes.”

He smiled, displaying dimples—glorious dimples! And then, his chin! He spoke, but I was oblivious. I now found him especially handsome—sweaty, dusty, down-to-earth. I tried not to let it show. Again, this was a ruse. We were doing this for legitimate reasons. I wasn’t about to fall for him. He was the annoying prince, but I couldn”t ignore the way his smile made me feel.

“You know, horse people are good people,” Rick said. “I think we’ll get on just fine.”

“Uh-huh.”

I had a sudden urge to kiss him. This was new! It was the way he looked at me. Maybe I was off-kilter or just delirious by this point in the evening, but I so badly wished to lean my face closer and graze my lips to his. I knew it would feel good. Certainly, Rick had kissed plenty of girls, so it’s not like I would appal him, right? Then, as I debated what to do, we turned towards a noise.

Plop!

We both smiled.

“Well, fuck!” Rick chuckled.

I leapt up, elated to see horse manure in the barn aisle. Suddenly, all was well. I gave Barney a big hug and kiss. He snorted in my face. He was fine now. He’d live to see another day. I was so relieved.

Barney let out a long fart and weburst into laughter.

“Well, sorry. He’s a bit rude,” I laughed.

“It’s okay. I’ll take it.”

“Sorry we wasted the evening like this, Rikard.”

“It was lovely. No better way to get to know someone than in a crisis waiting for a horse to take a shit,” Rick said. “I think we did fine.”

“We made a good team,” I agreed.