Page 18 of The Eagle

“Go away Mother and take yer young with ye. I do not wish to hurt ye.”

There were snorts from the boar’s direction. Obviously, the animal was not happy at the appearance of a horse.

Stuart held his horse still and moments later the boar continued on. The piglets squealing as they trotted after their disgruntled mother.

“I went to the kitchens to find ye and offer ye a ride to yer home. But Greer told me ye had already left,” Stuart called out.

Cait came from behind the tree. “Thank ye, but I do not require it.” She did her best to keep her expression stern. Although, in truth, she was relieved that he’d scared the boar away. There was no telling how long she would have had to hide behind the tree before the animal decided to leave.

“Many animals give birth during the late summer. Which means ye will have encounters with protective mothers all season. Ye should consider riding a horse home,” Stuart informed her.

Crossing her arms, Cait gave him a blank look. “I do not have a horse, Mister Stuart. Furthermore, I have never ridden one.” She turned on her heel and began walking.

Stuart dismounted and walked alongside, pulling his horse behind. “We must remedy that at once. Ye should have asked my brother for a horse. He would have given ye one.”

“Yer brother gives away horses to anyone who asks?”

He shook his head. “I meant the use of a horse. The animal would belong to our family. Unless ye bought it, or it was gifted to ye. I am not aware if he has given away horses. I shall ask him.”

“Why would ye and yer brother offer a horse for me to ride?” Cait was incredulous. The more she spoke to Stuart, the more confused she became over what to think of the Ross family. Did they treat all the servants so kindly? She recalled that Lady Isobel often spent time in the kitchen with Greer. Both Lady Isobel and Lady Mariel’s companions spent time with the family and not the servants.

However, this was totally different. Had Stuart followed her?

“Ye confuse me,” she finally replied. “Why are ye here?” She scanned the woods realizing they were alone and if the man decided to have his way with her, there was little she could do. At the same time, there was something about him that made her feel at ease. It was as if instinctively she knew he would not hurt her.

“I do not mean to. What if I give ye lessons?”

“What?”

“I can teach ye to ride a horse.”

“I do not wish to be up so high on an animal on my own.”

“’Tis easy.”

Cait blew out a breath. “I appreciate yer offer but must refuse it.”

“Come. Let us ride to yer home. We can discuss this another day.” He took her arm and guided her over to his now still horse then lifted her up into the saddle. After settling Cait, he deftly mounted and with arms on both sides of her, he took the reins and maneuvered the horse forward.

Astride the horse, she ensured her skirts covered her legs. It felt strange to be up so high from the ground and she didn’t quite care for it.

“I have no idea where ye live, so ye will have to tell me,” Stuart said, his mouth much too close to her ear. “Here, take the reins.” He placed the leather straps into her hands, then put his hands over hers so she could see how he guided the horse. After a while, he released her hands and allowed her to guide the horse alone.

“Ye are assisting with yer legs are ye not?” Cait asked. It was a strange feeling to be sitting so close to him; her backside between his open legs touching the most private part of him. At the same time, he continued to put her at ease. He didn’t try to pull her closer and somehow managed to keep from touching her.

“I am,” he replied. “That will be a lesson I can only give ye when ye are on the horse by yerself.”

She gave up trying to explain that she had no intention of ever learning to ride a horse.

When she motioned to the small cottage that was her home, he took the reins and guided the horse the rest of the way. Upon arriving, both his mother and brother hurried out. Her mother looked up at them with eyes wide with worry.

“Is something wrong? Were ye injured?”

“Nothing is wrong,” Cait replied suddenly unsure what to do.

Stuart dismounted and helped her down. He went to her mother. “I am Stuart Ross. There are many wild boars with young in the woods right now, so I ensured yer daughter did not come to any harm.”

“I see,” her mother had lowered into a slight curtsy upon him divulging who he was. But now looked at him with distrust. “Her half brother should feel obligated to see to her safety.”