Chapter Nine
Knowing Lucien had arrived to take her riding and was waiting downstairs, Harriet glanced in the mirror one last time.
She had dressed in a sapphire-blue tweed riding outfit she’d had made for occasions such as this.
Riding didn’t scare her. Just the opposite.
The only thing bothering her was transitioning from side-saddle where she felt she had no control to riding astride like a man.
The practice was becoming more and more common.
Lucien’s offer to teach her thus made her feel comfortable and completely relaxed.
They were going to an area of the park not used much because it was out of the way and unseen by most. For this reason, the space was used for exactly what Lucien planned.
To teach her to ride astride. It couldn’t be difficult, just adjusting to shifting her weight accordingly.
It would give her more freedom to ride on her own and not have to be dependent on others to accompany her. But they still would. A stable boy would come with her, but they always kept an appropriate distance behind her.
As she went downstairs to meet him, she wondered if their time would include kissing lessons. Though he was her first experience, she felt he was an excellent kisser. She felt things she never had before.
Walking into the drawing room, she grinned seeing him interacting with Sam. He had a piece of apple, Sam’s favorite in one hand and was lowly speaking to the macaw.
“Good morning,” she said.
As he turned to greet her, the parrot grabbed the apple from Lucien’s fingers. The move startled Lucien as he wasn’t expecting Sam to make such a movement. “Good morning,” he echoed, looking between Sam and her.
“One must be on their toes around Sam. Especially when one has an apple. Apples are his favorite.”
“Thanks for the advice. Despite his greediness for apples, he’s quite smart and gorgeous. His colors are simply remarkable.”
“He is and as you know Daphne adores him.”
“Yes, I know. Arthur has grown quite fond of him as well. He’s amazed at the things Sam is capable of.”
Lucien neared, leaving Sam to finish his bite of apple. “You look ready to ride. That color is very becoming on you.”
Harriet felt her cheeks heat up at the compliment. “Thank you. Are you ready?”
“Yes, shall we get started?” he asked as he guided her towards the door.
“Are we going to ride over to the park?”
“I thought we’d take my landau since it’s such a beautiful day. I also didn’t want you to ride in the streets just yet when you’re not comfortable riding astride.”
“That’s so thoughtful. Thank you.”
He nodded with a lopsided grin. “Your safety is more important.”
They walked side by side to his landau which was parked in the drive in front of the house. He assisted her in before climbing in himself. The day was splendid. The sun was shining with few clouds, the sky a magnificent shade of blue.
“Tell me about this horse you’ve chosen for me,” Harriet said.
“After much consideration, I chose a gelding for you to get comfortable on. He’s about ten, gentle and patient. I think you’ll enjoy Jack.”
“Jack?”
“Yes. My mother named him as my father originally purchased him for her,” Lucien replied.
“Your mother still rides him?”
“Occasionally. She doesn’t ride when she’s in London. Only in the country.”
“Ah.”
Foot traffic began to increase as they neared the park.
And why not? It was a gorgeous day, and no one stayed inside on days such as these.
Once the landau entered the park, the foot traffic and number of carriages seemed to double.
The carriage veered off down a smaller path until they reached a few of Lucien’s liveried footmen.
They were easy to recognize in their dark-blue coats.
Once they climbed out, they were met by his coachman. Two others led two horses to them. One she recognized as Lucien’s black stallion, Onyx. The other, a gray, was obviously Jack.
Lucien led her over to Jack. A footman followed with a mounting block for her. “This is Jack. He’s very much a gentleman and very well mannered.”
She patted the gray on the neck and spoke lowly to him as she waited for Lucien to give her further directions.
Lucien stood by her as she climbed the steps, held on to the front of the saddle, and swung her right leg across Jack’s back. She sat still, getting used to the unfamiliar saddle. It was comfortable, but still it felt strange to be sitting on a horse this way.
“Very good,” Lucien said. “How do you feel?”
“It’s a little strange.”
“Sit there for a moment, then we’ll adjust the stirrups for you,” he replied.
“I assume this is where inexperienced riders start from?”
“Yes, but you’re not inexperienced, and you’re going to be fine,” he said with a grin.
“Arthur said the trails through here are quiet.”
“He’s right. Experienced riders go elsewhere. We’ll ride there once you’re ready.”
Harriet knew he was right, but she also knew it wouldn’t take her long to feel comfortable riding astride. She knew why men, society in general, thought women should ride sidesaddle. It was just another tactic men used to keep things in their control.
“I think I’m ready to have my stirrups adjusted,” she said. She couldn’t wait to get started, and for once the London air was not as unpleasant as it normally was. A breeze off the Thames seemed to be moving the bad air out.
After a few minutes of adjustments, Harriet was ready to begin. She watched Lucien mount Onyx, who had been pawing the ground impatiently. He was ready to go. Jack, for his part, was patient with Onyx’s antics.
They walked side by side in order that Lucien could keep a close eye on Harriet. She seemed very adept at riding, though he knew she was having to learn how the distribution of her weight changed the way she rode.
“How are you feeling?” he asked after a few minutes of walking along an otherwise deserted path.
“Good. I feel much more comfortable riding like this than I do the other way,” she replied.
He nodded. “We’ll keep walking for a bit longer.”
“Onyx doesn’t seem to approve of your plan. He is restless and wants to run.”
“He does, but he also has to learn he doesn’t always get his own way,” Lucien replied.
“I’ll be fine if you want to go on ahead. Let him canter a bit.”
“I appreciate your offer, but like I said he needs to learn he doesn’t get his own way all the time,” Lucien said.
Continuing to walk along the path, Harriet couldn’t help but look up at the sky. It was still a beautiful cobalt blue with a few puffy white clouds now moving along at a slow pace.
“I’m glad you thought of this,” Harriet said.
“So am I. It gives us time to get to know each other better,” Lucien replied.
“It does. You do a lot of riding on your family estate?”
“Yes, when I’m there. My parents have a hunt in early autumn, though it’s more of a just a ride and gathering than an actual hunt these days.”
She glanced at him quickly. “I’ve never been on a hunt.”
“I think you’d like it. Have you ever jumped a fence?” Lucien asked. Onyx seemed to have settled into accepting the fact he had to walk now. He was quieter than a few minutes before.
“I’ve tried. I don’t mind the really low ones, but the taller ones terrify me. In my opinion, jumping and sidesaddle do not mix.”
“No, they don’t, though I have known ladies who do it,” he replied.
“Foolishness,” Harriet said. She patted Jack’s neck as they walked.
“Do you feel comfortable enough to trot?”
Nodding, she gathered her reins a bit more firmly. “Shall I follow you?”
“Would you feel comfortable doing that?” Lucien asked.
“I don’t know, but there’s only one way to find out.”
“How about we continue side by side and move to a trot. If you decide you’re comfortable with it, I’ll go on ahead and let this beast have a short run.”
“That will work,” Harriet said.
The duo continued side by side as they moved into a slow trot. Onyx was wanting to be given his head so he could run, but Lucien did well keeping him under control. Jack was a delight to ride at the pace they were going. He was even tempered and responded well to her commands.
About that time, Lucien slowed back to a walk. She wished he hadn’t, but he wanted to make sure she was comfortable at the pace they moved on to.
“How was that?” he asked with a grin, His hair was windblown and he ran his fingers through it to push it off his face.
“Wonderful!” she exclaimed. “Jack is a very good boy.”
“He is,” Lucien replied. “Would you like to go again? After that, we can walk and let them settle.”
“Yes,” she nodded. “You go first since Onyx is so anxious to run.”
“There’s a small brook to the left. I’ll stop there.”
“Very well,” Harriet replied.
Lucien loosened the stallion’s reins and the pair bolted in a cloud of dust. He was letting him canter to blow off some of Onyx’s energy. Harriet urged the gelding to move forward at a trot. She didn’t want to do anything more until Lucien thought she and Jack were ready.
Around a bend in the path, Harriet found Lucien and Onyx waiting for them near the brook he’d mentioned. “You’re doing great. I thought we’d take in a quick gallop before calling it a day. I think that’ll be enough for your first time out. I’d hate for you to be sore tomorrow.”
“I hadn’t even thought about that,” she said grinning at him.
“I’ll try and stay with you and Jack. Afterwards, we can dismount and let the horses rest,” Lucien said.
“Let’s go.”
He led them into a slow gallop. Onyx let Lucien know he was not enjoying this by shaking his head, his black mane flying loosely. Harriet enjoyed the change of pace. Jack was an easy ride, all of his gaits comfortable.
Suddenly, something to his right spooked the black stallion. Onyx reared on his back two legs, letting Lucien know whatever it was he did not like it at all. He came down with Lucien speaking to him in a calming voice.