Page 47 of A Duke's Sinful Bargain
This time, she obeyed. She took one step, then another one, and each subsequent step was easier than the one before. Finally, she was standing in front of Luna, as majestic as she had ever been. Anna smiled. She raised her trembling hand and petted the horse’s muzzle. Luna neighed softly in response, closing her dark eyes for a moment only to open them again and lock them with Anna’s.
“I know you are afraid.” Alexander spoke right in Anna’s ear. “And that fear is keeping you a prisoner.” He was repeating her own words back to her. “You know that the only way to overcome your fears is to face them head on.”
Anna was still caressing Luna, but her hand was not trembling as much as it did moments ago.
“She is afraid too, you know.”
“Luna?” Anna wondered.
“Mmhmm.” Alexander nodded. “Can’t you see it in her eyes?”
Anna stared at them, and yes—that same fear was there.
“Only she doesn’t fear riding,” Alexander clarified. “She fears never having you ride her again. We all have different fears, but equally powerful, making us equally helpless.”
Anna got even closer to Luna, resting her cheek against the horse’s. She closed her eyes, listening to Luna’s soft breathing.
“Would you like to try?” Alexander whispered softly.
Anna didn’t respond. Instead, she took the reins from Alexander’s hand and led Luna out of the stable. The horse followed obediently, remaining close to its mistress. Once out in broad daylight, Anna gazed at Luna, her loyal mare, her heart pounding deafeningly. The majestic horse towered before her, its powerful muscles rippling beneath its glossy coat and its warm breath forming misty clouds in the crisp morning air.
Anna inhaled deeply. There was a loud ringing in her ear, and she could not hear anything other than the deafening sound of her own fear, urging her not to do this. Still, she reached out to gently stroke Luna’s velvety muzzle, her touch cautious but affectionate.
“Easy now, girl,” Anna spoke lovingly. “We are going to be just fine, aren’t we?”
Luna nuzzled Anna’s hand tenderly as if sensing her apprehension, offering silent reassurance. She glances at Alexander, who was also out of the stable with the reins of another horse. He only nodded, not saying another word. Nothing else needed to be said. With a determined resolve, Anna stepped closer to Luna, her movements slow and deliberate as she tried to remember the process of mounting a horse.
She positioned herself beside the horse, as her heart felt that it was about to jump right out of her chest. Her hands were trembling more than ever before as she reached to grasp the saddle’s pommel. With a steadying breath, she lifted one foot and placed it in the stirrup, her muscles tensing as she did so.
This was when doubt crept into her mind, reminding her of the fall, of what could have happened. All the fear and uncertainty came flooding back. She closed her eyes, trying to banish them from her mind. As if guided by some unseen force, she pushed herself upward, adjusting her gown.
The world around her seemed to slow down, her heart pounding with exhilaration. Her hands gripped the reins tightly in an effort to steady her racing nerves.
“I did it!” she exclaimed to Alexander, who looked on with pride in his eyes.
Without waiting for him, she urged Luna forward, her heart soaring. Moments later, she heard the rhythmic beat of Luna’s hooves against the earth mixing with the sound of Alexander’s horse joining them. They exchanged glances and tender smiles as Anna’s soul swelled with happiness.
***
Several hours later, they returned from their exhilarating horseback ride, faces flushed with the thrill of adventure. Luna’s gentle whinny echoed in the tranquil air as Anna dismounted, petting her. Together, they led their horses back to the stables, leaving them to be tended to by the staff. Still alone, Anna seized the chance to express her gratitude.
“I don’t know how to thank you, Alexander,” she said softly. “I wouldn’t have done this without you.”
“No, no.” He shook his head. “You did it all on your own. I was merely there to push you a little. And may I say, it has been a pleasure to be your pusher.”
She chuckled at those words, when unexpectedly, he reached out to gently cup her cheek. Drawn to each other, they both leaned closer at the same time. Their lips met in a soft, lingering kiss.
This was unlike the kisses they shared in the privacy of his bed chamber, kisses that would lead to more passion. No, this was a completely different sort of kiss, a kiss of their souls, not merely their lips. As they pulled away, they exchanged a knowing smile that needed no words.
“Would you like to come inside?” she offered in a trembling voice.
He shook his head. “I need to go back. I have business matters to tend to. But I had to do this,” he explained. “I shall send you a note tomorrow,” he added through the lingering smile.
“All right.” She nodded, their noses still touching. “I’ll be waiting.”
She watched his carriage rumble down the path until it disappeared from sight. She returned to the house filled with inexplicable emotions and reminding herself that sometimes, the greatest rewards awaited on the other side of fear.
Chapter 25
