Page 52 of Beyond Her Manner
They reached a large open field beside the paddock, and Viola could feel Dudley’s powerful muscles moving beneath her as Gillian transitioned them smoothly into a canter. She held his mane to steady herself, careful not to pull it and hurt the creature as the wind whipped through her hair. Squinting against the rush of air, a smile spread across her face as the steady, comforting, powerful thud of Dudley’s hooves matched the rapid beating of her heart.
“How are you feeling?” Gillian’s voice was close. Her warm breath against Viola’s ear caused goosebumps to prickle all over her skin.
“Amazing!” Viola called back, trying to keep her voice steady despite the swirl of emotions. Every brush of Gillian’s body against hers, every shift and movement felt charged with an electricity she couldn’t ignore.
As they picked up pace, the landscape around them blurred into a tapestry of greens and blues, the world narrowing to the three of them. Viola found herself hyper-aware of every detail: the strength of Gillian’s arms and legs rooting her to Dudley, the steady rhythm of her breathing, their shared laughter that dissolved into the wind. She wished the moment could last forever.
“You’re doing great,” Gillian murmured, her voice low and reassuring.
Her words sent a shiver through Viola as each stride of Dudley’s canter bound her closer to Gillian in ways she was only beginning to understand. She wondered if Gillian could sense the turmoil inside her; if she was feeling what she was feeling.
Gillian’s arms and legs tightened around her as they descended a hill, anchoring her securely.Viola leaned back into her, feeling protected and connected in a way she hadn’t anticipated. As she surrendered to the moment, trusting Dudley and Gillian fully, the tension within her began to ebb.
Dudley settled into a steady trot and Gillian’s hold on her softened. All remaining stiffness in Viola’s body melted away. Passing the paddock, Gillian’s arms gradually loosened, finally releasing completely as they arrived at the stables.
“That was incredible,” Viola replied, her heart pounding for reasons beyond the ride. The thrill of it, combined with the closeness to Gillian, made it difficult to focus on anything else.
“I’m surprised you find it so exhilarating; surely it can’t compare to flying a helicopter?”
“Flying a helicopter is its own kind of thrill. It puts you far from nature, looking down on it rather than being at one with it. You move over it rather than through it. You don’t experience the scents or the wind,” Viola said thoughtfully. “Like an observer, not a participant.”
Gillian nodded. “When you’re on a horse, you’re part of the landscape. You feel every movement, every change in the terrain. You smell the earth, the grass, the trees. You hear the sounds around you, not the roar of an engine. There’s nothing quite like it.”
“It’s like being truly connected,” Viola said, more to herself than to Gillian.
The vibration of a soft hum from Gillian’s agreement resounded against Viola’s ear.
“For reference, I don’t mind you riding around the estate. As long as it’s only you. No hunting parties.”
“I never allowed that sort of thing on the Kingsford Estate,” Gillian said, her voice laced with indignation. “All wildlife is —waswelcome here.”
“I’m surprised. I took you for the traditional type. Tooting your hunting horn and everything,” Viola teased as they stopped outside the stables.
“I am. However, there are some traditions I can’t get behind, and killing defenceless animals is one of them.”
Gillian shifted behind her, landing gracefully on the ground. She turned and gestured for Viola to do the same.
“Your turn,” she said with an encouraging smile.
Viola took a deep breath, gripping Dudley’s mane as she carefully swung her leg over his back and slid down his side. Gillian stepped closer, her hands reaching out to steady her as she landed.
“That’s it,” Gillian said, her hands lingering on Viola’s waist a moment longer than necessary.
“Thanks,” Viola replied, her voice slightly breathless as she savoured the warmth of Gillian’s touch. Their eyes locked, and for a second, neither of them moved. Only the sound of Viola’s breathing filled the space between them.
Gillian blinked and stepped back suddenly. “It is I who should be thankful. You don’t know what it means to be able to continue to ride the estate.”
“I think after today, I do. Thank you for the lesson and that wonderful ride.”
Gillian smiled, the warmth reaching her eyes. “Any time.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” Viola said with a grin. She patted Dudley affectionately. “You did great, boy.”
Dudley snorted, seeming to enjoy the praise.
“I’ll see you Friday,” she said, “for dinner. Don’t be late.”
“Only the required five minutes,” Gillian quipped.
