Page 34 of His Wild Duchess
The horse jerked his head.
“Vaun?” she called out, raising her voice. “Is that your name?”
The stallion held her stare, backing up till his behind hit the back of his stall.
“Do not be afraid,” she murmured while opening up the wooden door. “You’re from the New World, aren’t you?”
Vaun struck one front leg to the floor as she drew nearer.
Holding out her hand, Penelope retrieved another long carrot from her skirts. “I can’t imagine how frightening this must be for you,” she continued, slowly extending the carrot towards his long snout. “To leave your home and friends, and come here, where you can’t even recognize the earth.”
Vaun’s eyes, warm and brown despite the sheer ferocity of his size, held onto her as though she were the only thing he could see. Cautiously, he sniffed, leaning forward to the carrot.
“We’re a lot alike in that way, you know,” she mused.
The steed leaned, munching on the end of the carrot.
“I’m sure you just want to get back outside, don’t you?”
Rather quickly, Vaun finished the rest of the carrot, leaning forward to sniff her hand for more. Without hesitation, he pressed his snout against her stomach, almost tickling her as he sniffed and searched for another treat.
“I’m afraid,” Penelope said between giggles, “That was all I had!”
Vaun pulled back, as if he could understand her.
Reaching, Penelope dragged a hand through his long mane, scratching along his throat, and down the course of his back.
Within the stall was a large leather saddle, just waiting to be used. Glancing over her shoulder at him, Penelope eagerly grabbed the saddle, almost falling to the ground at its surprising weight.
“I wonder, Vaun,” she said as she stood up tall, trying to lift the saddle over her head, “If a simple romp outside might cheer you up!”
The stallion remained still, his back half directly in front of her. With a surprising ease, Penelope placed the saddle onto him, pulling the fasteners around his athletic belly. Vaun turned his head towards her, as though he were curious about what was happening.
“Haven’t you been ridden before?”
Vaun watched silently.
Shrugging, Penelope pushed open the stall door, quickly jumping out to leave the opening to the stable ajar as well. Returning to Vaun’s stall, she dragged her hands along his frame before turning to his saddle.
“Well,” she murmured, too eager to turn back now, “Here goes nothing!”
With both hands gripping the saddle, Penelope used all her strength to throw up her leg, and climb up the tall horse. It was unlike anything she had been accustomed to. Fiona was a smaller mare, giving her great speed and agility. It took next to nothing for Penelope to climb on her back when she was already taller than average. But Vaun, he was something else entirely. Not only did he stand taller than any horse she had ever seen, but the way his muscles moved and rippled beneath his thin coat was spectacular to see.
He was meant for the wilderness, to be running free.
Penelope fastened herself on the saddle, scooting around a bit till she was comfortable. The top of her head brushed by the ceiling as she gripped the reins, leaning down to rub her hand along Vaun’s neck.
“Go on, boy,” she whispered to him, “The outdoors is calling your name!”
Vaun faced the door. Slowly, he stepped out the stall, turning to creep out the stable. Penelope kept her grip tightly on the reins, not once allowing herself to feel the slightest bit of fear. The moment that happened would be the same moment that Vaun decided to throw her off his back and make a break for it. Trust, she knew, worked both ways, and if she didn’t show the steed that she had no worry of him keeping her safe, then neither one of them would end up returning safely to the townhouse.
Vaun stepped outside, the sun hitting his sleek black body immediately. Penelope’s breath was almost taken away when she realized how high off the ground she was. The stallion cautiously moved further outside, his ears twisting back and forth like a cat’s as he surveyed the area. While it wasn’t the large rolling hills he was probably used to, it was more than anything he might’ve seen within the stable.
Penelope patted her hand against his chest. “Don’t you want to -”
Before she could even finish, Vaun reared backwards, raising his front half in the air and letting out a high-pitched neigh. Shouting with surprise and glee, Penelope kept her hold tight on the reins, her boot-covered feet tucked securely at his sides. When Vaun landed on the ground, he took off, the dirt and grass kicking up around his feet.
Wind raced through her hair. Penelope lifted her arms, releasing her hold on the reins. The air whipped around her as though she were a bird in flight, soaring against the tunnels and waves of wind. It was the most freeing thing she had ever experienced. While nothing could ever compare to her days spent taking Fiona on the trail around Egerton, this moment was something new entirely, that she would hold incredibly dear to her heart.
