Page 19 of Once Upon a Winter's Tale
Looking behind her, she noticed Albert grinning and holding her hat. She slowed, and he caught up with her, as both horses resumed a canter.
“I saw it lift, and miraculously, I was in the right place. I’m sure West would have collected it, had I missed it,” he said, wearing a wide grin. “I need to know something.”
“Yes?” She did her best to stay next to him.
“When I went to the stable, I found the legs of my horse—his cantons—loosely wrapped and maintained with salve. Thank you. He’s riding like a champ today,” he said, patting his horse’s neck.
She smiled. “I remembered seeing his leg roll when you first arrived. With all that was going on, I checked on him later, thinking he could benefit from being loosely wrapped. I hope you don’t mind.”
“No. He’s been with me for a long time, thank you,” he said. “Your concern touched me.”
They rode for a few minutes, enjoying the pristine water as it slapped against the shore and pushed large patches of snow around. A frigid wind blew with gusts of swirling snow.
When they passed what looked like a cave, he pointed to it and slowed. “Let’s stop.”
Carefully, they moved their mounts into the front of the cave. Almost immediately, the walls of the cave seemed to close in and, within minutes, diminished much of the howling wind from the English Channel.
Albert reached out and grabbed the bridle of her mount and tied both reins to a rock before reaching up and assisting her from her mare. “Have you ever been in a cave before?” he asked.
“No,” she said, with an involuntary shudder. “I’ve always heard that’s where pirates and bats lived.” For a second, she steadied herself, closing her eyes and inhaling his scent of sandalwood and citrus, inhalinghim.
He laughed. “Pirates and bats?”
“Well… yes. That’s what I heard,” she replied.
He grabbed her by the hand and led her toward the mouth of the cave, leaving the horses with West. “Can I show you something?”
“Yes,” she said tentatively, noticing the smallness of the cave. “This is it? It’s not a big cave. I’ve never been this close to one.”
“I doubt if pirates frequented thiscave, but I find it’s excellent for this…” He pulled her close and kissed her tenderly. “I should apologize for that kiss yesterday, and for acting like a green lad, but I cannot. I want to hold you again,” he said. “May I?”
“Yes,” she said, tilting her chin up.
“You are so beautiful, Brianna.” He angled his head and kissed her, sensuously twining his fingers through her long blonde locks. “I love the feel of your hair,” he murmured, moving his lips over hers and down the side of her neck.
Her lips parted involuntarily, and twinges of delight flowed through to her fingertips at his touch, exciting her senses and leaving her wanting more. More of his nearness.
What was happening?Albert had said he planned to leave in a few days. If he spaced his visits like his father’s, it could be two years before she saw him again. The thought sent an ache to her heart.
Irritated, she furrowed her brow, focusing on the cave they were in, and getting her mind on the time they had.I refuse to wallow in pity and ruin our time together.
“What are you looking at so fiercely?” he asked.
Her face relaxed, and a soft laugh escaped. “Where… I see no bats.”
“Some caves aren’t big enough to house the pirates and bats,” he said, laughing. “This cave is probably too shallow, but it provides some respite from the weather—and privacy when you need it.” He flashed a knowing grin her way.
Heat warmed her cheeks. That was a most delightful respite, she thought.
“It’s barely the size of a room and has probably been formed by some extreme weather event that washed part of the ground away. I read the cliffs are made of sandstone, which is not as tough as other rocks,” he explained. “Water and wind can change the formation.”
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she said, awed by the beauty of the snow on the sand and the tall white cliffs. “I’ve never ridden on the beach before, and never in the snow like this.”
“Should we ride some more?” They exited the grotto.
“Yes, perhaps we should get back on the horses. My mother will expect me back before too long.”
The two of them walked outside into the sunshine. Albert laced his fingers together to assist Brianna in reclaiming her saddle. Then, mounting his horse, he pointed ahead. “The snow has retreated for a period. Let’s stay on the sand a little longer and veer off to a path I noticed earlier. It should be less stressful for the horses to avoid a snow-covered incline.”
