Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Ten minutes later, Clemmie stood in the hallway of the cottage staring at Oliver in disbelief.
He was dressed like he’d stepped straight out of an equestrian catalogue, in a tailored riding jacket, spotless white breeches, polished leather boots and a helmet that looked as if it had never seen a speck of dirt.
‘You’re kidding, right?’ she said, gesturing to his outfit. ‘Is there a horse-riding fashion show at the end of this I don’t know about? And when did you get all the gear?’
Oliver smirked, smoothing the front of his jacket. ‘I’ve ridden my whole life. It’s something my grandmother taught me to do. Actually, she used to keep her horse at the stables on this very estate.’
‘How do I not know this about you?’
He grinned. ‘What did you bring to wear? Because I’m assuming you’re not expecting to ride in that?’
Clemmie took off her wide-brimmed hat and gestured to her floral dress. ‘I brought this. And about five other versions of it. I didn’t exactly pack for a gallop through the countryside. I actually thought…’ She paused. ‘Well, I hoped that you were joking and there would be a carriage to sit in.’
He rubbed his chin, pretending to think. ‘Wearing that, you could ride side-saddle like a Victorian duchess…’
Clemmie shot him a playful death glare but he wasn’t done. ‘Alas, there is no carriage. We’re riding.’
‘Really?’ she asked, her voice rising an octave in disbelief.
‘Really!’ Oliver repeated, his lips twitching into a grin.
‘Like I said, my suitcase is full of dresses, sandals and about three cardigans.’
He tilted his head, giving her a once-over. ‘What about trousers? Any type at all?’
Clemmie scrunched up her face. ‘Only my pyjama bottoms.’
‘Perfect. They’ll have to do.’
Her jaw dropped. ‘You can’t be serious.’
‘Completely serious,’ he said, turning her towards the stairs and gently pushing her back up. ‘Now go, and for the love of all things royal, make sure they’re decent.’
Ten minutes later, Clemmie descended the stairs in a pair of bright pink pyjama bottoms covered in cartoonish red love hearts.
She’d paired them with a mismatched yellow hoodie she’d brought for comfort, and her shoes.
She knew her face was the picture of resigned amusement as she reached the landing.
Oliver took one look at her and widened his eyes. ‘You look ready to conquer the world. Let’s pray we don’t bump into the Queen.’
Clemmie snorted, waving a hand at him dismissively. ‘Don’t worry. If I do, I’ll tell her you insisted I go out in public like this. That way none of this can be blamed on me.’
At the stables, the scene was nothing short of a comedy waiting to happen.
The moment Clemmie laid eyes on her designated horse, a towering steed named Shadow, she froze.
The animal was jet black with a glossy coat, standing at least sixteen hands high, and its deep brown eyes seemed to size her up immediately.
‘You’ve got to be joking,’ she muttered.
Oliver patted Shadow’s neck affectionately. ‘He’s a gentle giant. Aren’t you, boy?’
The horse snorted loudly, making Clemmie jump back. ‘Gentle? He looks like he eats people for breakfast.’
It didn’t go unnoticed by either of them that the stable hand looked Clemmie up and down in disbelief as he handed her a pair of boots in her size and a riding helmet, which was comically oversized. She slipped it on and it immediately fell over her eyes.
‘Perfect,’ Oliver said, biting back a laugh. ‘You look like a serious equestrian now.’
‘Don’t start,’ she warned, handing the helmet back and swapping it for one that fitted. ‘I really can’t get on that thing.’
‘You’ll be fine,’ Oliver said reassuringly. He patted the horse’s neck. ‘Shadow is a sweetheart.’
Clemmie wasn’t convinced. ‘Sweetheart? He looks like he’s plotting my demise.’
After much coaxing from Oliver, Clemmie approached the horse cautiously. ‘How am I supposed to get on this thing?’
‘Easy,’ Oliver said, grabbing the reins. ‘Just put your left foot in the stirrup and swing yourself up and over.’
Clemmie gave him a look. ‘Swing myself up? That high? I’m not a gymnast.’
Despite her protests, she attempted to follow his instructions.
Her first try involved a lot of awkward hopping, but her foot missed the stirrup entirely.
Oliver tried to hold the stirrup steady from the other side while she jumped again, but she couldn’t get high enough and fell backwards. They both collapsed into laughter.
‘This isn’t working,’ she gasped, clutching her stomach.
Oliver wiped tears of laughter from his eyes. ‘Wait here.’
He returned moments later with a small set of wooden steps. ‘Your throne awaits, my lady.’
With the help of the steps, Clemmie finally managed to mount Shadow, though she squealed as the horse shifted under her. ‘It’s moving! Why is it moving?’
‘It’s just adjusting,’ Oliver said, mounting his own horse, a chestnut beauty named Blaze, with practised ease. He looked entirely too comfortable in the saddle.
Once they were both ready, the stable hands led them out onto the estate grounds and waved them off. Clemmie clutched the reins tightly, her knuckles turning white.
Oliver looked over his shoulder at her. ‘See? You’re a natural.’
As they began to walk gently along the gravel path, finally Clemmie started to relax.
‘What a beautiful place,’ she said as she looked out over the estate.
But her peace was short-lived. As she adjusted her position, her foot accidentally nudged Shadow’s side and the horse broke into a brisk trot. Clemmie panicked and without thinking she kicked the horse again. ‘Oliver!’ she screamed, gripping the reins for dear life. ‘Make it stop!’
‘Pull back on the reins!’ he shouted.
‘I’m trying!’ she shrieked, bouncing wildly in the saddle.
Shadow seemed entirely unfazed by her panic, trotting gracefully across the grass while Clemmie flailed.
Her body was bouncing up and down as she let out a string of incoherent cries.
Suddenly, Shadow veered towards a small lake and history repeated itself as he waded straight in and came to an abrupt halt in the middle.
Clemmie found herself perched precariously on the saddle, her boots now submerged as the horse stood motionless.
‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’ she groaned.
Oliver had dismounted and tied Blaze to a nearby post. He stood there, doubled over, struggling to contain his laughter. ‘It’s like the donkey story all over again!’ he managed between gasps. ‘Count yourself lucky that he hasn’t lain down!’
‘It’s not funny!’ Clemmie’s voice was full of panic. ‘How am I going to get out of here?’
‘Stay put. I’m coming to get you.’
Like a knight in shining armour, he stepped straight into the water, wading towards her as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The water swirled around his thighs, darkening his breeches, but he didn’t seem remotely bothered.
‘Okay, you’re going to have to jump,’ he said when he reached her.
Clemmie gave him a dubious look. ‘Jump? What if you drop me?’
‘I won’t drop you.’
‘You hesitated.’
‘I did not! Come on, swing those legs around. I’m not standing here all day.’
Muttering to herself, she pulled her feet from the stirrups, feeling completely ridiculous. Swinging one leg over the saddle, she attempted some level of grace but, naturally, ended up lurching sideways. With an undignified yelp, she fell towards Oliver…
…who caught her effortlessly, strong arms securing her against his chest. Their faces were suddenly inches apart, her hands on his shoulders, his amused gaze locked with hers.
‘You know,’ he murmured, ‘if you wanted to be in my arms again, there were other ways to do it.’
‘Don’t be cheeky! Just get me to dry land!’
He was still smirking as he turned.
The embarrassing ordeal was finally nearing its end when the sound of approaching hoofbeats sent a new ripple of dread through her. Clemmie turned her head just in time to see a rider coming towards them. As the figure drew closer, her stomach plummeted.
The neatly tied headscarf was a tell-tale sign of a very specific equestrian enthusiast. The very equestrian enthusiast she’d hoped to avoid.
Clemmie blinked rapidly, convinced her eyes were deceiving her.
‘Oliver,’ she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.
‘Hmm?’
‘Oliver!’ she hissed again, more urgently this time. ‘Look!’ She nodded furiously towards the approaching figure.
‘It’s her!’ Clemmie squeaked.
‘Her who?’ Oliver asked, still completely unfazed.
‘The Queen, Oliver! The actual Queen!’
Oliver finally turned his full attention to the approaching rider. Much to Clemmie’s utter horror, he still didn’t seem perturbed.
Clemmie closed her eyes in pure mortification.
‘Oh, yes, it’s her,’ he said with a casual shrug, as if spotting royalty during a chaotic horse-riding debacle was the most normal thing in the world.
Clemmie, however, was anything but calm. ‘What do we do? She’s coming this way!’
‘Relax,’ Oliver said, clearly enjoying her flustered state. ‘She is human, you know. Just smile and wave.’
‘Smile and wave?’ she echoed, her voice climbing higher. ‘I’m stuck in the middle of a lake in your arms.’ Before Oliver could respond, the Queen’s voice rang out, clear and unmistakable. ‘Lovely day for a ride, isn’t it?’
Clemmie froze at the familiar cadence. Her Majesty’s presence was magnetic, even from a distance.
Clemmie gawked as the Queen guided her horse closer, a serene smile on her face. The headscarf, a practical yet elegant accessory, complemented her riding jacket perfectly, unlike Clemmie’s mismatched loungewear and waterlogged boots.
The Queen stopped her horse a few feet from the lake’s edge, her gaze landing on Oliver first. ‘Good afternoon, Oliver. I trust everything is under control?’
Oliver bowed his head. ‘All under control, Your Majesty,’ he replied with a grin.
‘You must be Clemmie, Oliver’s visitor, staying at the cottage?’ the Queen said, her sharp eyes twinkling with amusement as she turned to Clemmie.
Clemmie’s heart was pounding as she, too, bowed her head, ‘Uh, yes, Your Majesty,’ she stammered, utterly mortified.
The Queen chuckled softly. ‘What an adventure you’re having.’
Clemmie gave a nervous laugh. ‘You could say that.’
Oliver placed Clemmie back on dry land and then turned back to the Queen. ‘I just need to rescue the horse now.’
The Queen’s gaze shifted back to Clemmie, her expression kind. ‘Don’t let him tease you too much about this, dear. Everyone has their first riding mishap. Mine involved a rather stubborn pony and a hedge.’
Clemmie felt a flicker of relief at the monarch’s easy manner, though her cheeks still burned with embarrassment.
By the time Oliver reached Shadow, the Queen had resumed her ride, her voice carrying back to them as she trotted away. ‘Enjoy the rest of your day! Do try to get dry before you catch cold.’
Clemmie watched her disappear into the distance, still struggling to process the surreal encounter. ‘Did that really just happen?’ she asked Oliver.
‘It did,’ he replied, grinning. ‘And you survived it beautifully.’
‘Barely.’
As soon as the horse was out of the water it let out a loud neigh, causing Clemmie to jump. ‘That horse is mocking me.’
‘Do you need help getting back on?’
‘Are you kidding me? I’m done with horses for today,’ she declared. ‘And for any day for that matter.’
Still grinning, Oliver held up his hands in surrender. ‘Fair enough. We’ll walk back.’
Despite her soggy boots and aching muscles, Clemmie couldn’t stop smiling as they strolled towards the stables. The day had been a whirlwind of chaos and laughter, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so alive.
‘You know,’ she said, nudging Oliver with her elbow, ‘this might go down as one of my most embarrassing moments.’
‘Or one of your funniest,’ he countered, his hazel eyes twinkling.
She laughed, shaking her head. ‘I’ll let you decide when you’re writing my biography.’
As they reached the stables, Clemmie turned back to look at Shadow, who was now contentedly munching on hay. ‘Next time, we’re sticking to bicycles!’