The Controversial Princess (The Smoke & Mirrors Duology #1)(36)

I’m in my element as I get Spearmint ready for our first outing together, my hands working fast and expertly. He fights me a little as I slip the bit into his mouth, flinging his head in protest, but a stern word and firm handle soon has him complying. After a quick check that the leg reins are even and his girth belt not too tight, I lead him out to the courtyard.

“Fine beast you have there, Your Highness,” Burt calls from the piles of hay, his fork breaking up the bales. The old farmer has supplied the stables stock of horse feed and bedding for decades, rumbling down the lane in his tractor twice a day.

“Thanks, Burt.” I put on my riding hat and fasten it before working my hands into my leather gloves. Then I slip my left foot into the stirrup and grab the pommel, hauling myself into the saddle. “Easy, boy,” I soothe when Spearmint shifts on his hooves.

I try to get comfortable in the seat, wincing and hissing as I do. Holy good Lord. Riding after a night with Josh Jameson is a terrible idea. My backside and thighs hurt in places they’ve never hurt before. But I persevere, and on a few more winces and grimaces, I click Spearmint on, walking to the training arena. His stride is different to what I’m used to after years of riding Stan, but my body soon falls into his rhythm and as soon as we are in the large square enclosure, I work him up to a trot and do a few laps, feeling him just as much as he needs to feel me. “I think you and I are going to get on just fine, Spearmint.” He rides like a dream, gracefully and confidently, as if there is no weight upon his back, as if he is wild and free. It’s exactly how I feel every time I ride Stan through the fields, and though my horse is different and our cantering space is limited to the safety of the royal land, it is still the best feeling. My mind clears and I focus on being at one with Spearmint, taking him through the motions, getting to know him. I feel no discord, no need to defy. I’m alive, more myself. This is what freedom feels like for me. I won’t allow any negative thoughts to intrude on this moment, because this is where my heart feels full. This is where my heart knows peace. This is where I can imagine my life beyond the constraints of my royal life. Where I may pursue dreams and live a life I choose. Where I can be myself and not what I am expected to be.

This is the real me.





AN HOUR HAS PASSED BEFORE I realize it, and Spearmint has worked up a good sweat. “I think that is enough exercise for you today, boy. Sabina will be scolding me.” I slow him to a steady walk, shifting myself in the saddle on a hiss of discomfort. “And my backside can’t take much more friction,” I tell him as we head back to the stables, stopping at the water trough where I swing my leg over his saddle and jump down.

“He looked good,” Sabina calls across the courtyard, her arms full of tack.

“He did beautifully.” I assure her as she nears. “Is everything okay, Sabina? With Colin, I mean.”

“Yes. Doctor Goodridge was giving me an update.” She gives me one of her famous soft smiles and carries on her way.

I let Spearmint get his fill of water before I lead him to his stable and strip him down. Slipping his saddle over the stable door, I pull off his cloth and spend some time brushing him. I need to do this more often. It’s so therapeutic. I reluctantly finish on his mane, stopping before I brush him until he disappears. “You’ll do,” I say, smacking him lightly on his muscled rump.

“Is it my turn for a rubdown?”

I swing around and find Josh with his forearms resting on Spearmint’s saddle where it hangs over the half-height stable door. “Oh bloody hell,” I mumble, not nearly as quietly as intended. My relaxed, serene state quickly changes to tense and shaky, and my bucking heart does not assist in helping me fix that. Josh’s grin is almost angelic, contradicting the devilish intentions in his eyes. And just like that, I am ambushed, not only by countless flashbacks, but by a formidable desire I really don’t want to feel.

Shit.

Shit, shit, shit.

“How did you get in here?” I ask, taking my brush back to Spearmint, ignoring the fact that his skin is probably numb from being groomed so much already.

“Why are you ignoring my calls?”

“Maybe because I don’t want to speak with you. Again, what are you doing here?”

“The King offered my dad the use of one of his horses.”

His rough accent drips over me in the most infuriatingly pleasing way. “That was very kind of him.”

“I thought so, too.”

I hear the bolt of the stable door slide. Oh no. My hand falters in its sweeping motion across Spearmint’s coat. “You shouldn’t come in here.” It is way too cozy already.

Of course, he completely ignores me. “You don’t sound happy to see me.”

“I’m not.”

“Why?”

I breathe in and force myself to face him, except now I have the full length of him, and the sight, in addition to his stunning face, is all too lovely. His cream chinos are a perfect fit, and with his shirt hanging out, he looks all relaxed and yummy. And his hair …

I drag myself back from the brink of pathetic and level Josh with a cool expression. “I am rather busy.”

“Is that an answer to my question? Because if so, I won’t get in your way.”

“You are already in my way,” I retort as he steps forward and I step back. He stops and smiles, and then takes one more step forward. Instinctively, I move back. My only escape is around the back of Spearmint, and being behind a horse should be avoided at all costs. And it seems now the cost is my dignity, because if I remain here a moment longer, there is a huge chance I may grab Josh Jameson and tackle him to the hay. I can’t seem to control myself around this man. It’s dangerous. Possibly more dangerous than escaping him around the back of Spearmint. Damn it!