They Dared the Maid to Ride the Duke’s Wildest Stallion—She Shocked Everyone by Riding It Bareback
Chapter 3
The first thing Eleanor did was remove the saddle.
The second was remove the bridle.
The third was tell everyone to leave the stall.
Nobody obeyed.
They were too curious.
Lord Edmund stood near the door, smiling.
“You may begin whenever you like.”
Eleanor ignored him.
She walked around Thunder.
His breathing was still fast.
She placed her forehead against his shoulder.
For several seconds, neither moved.
Then she whispered:
“You are not going to be punished.”
Thunder closed his eyes.
The stable boy who had warned her watched in amazement.
Eleanor took hold of a handful of mane.
She placed one bare foot against the horse’s side.
Thunder shifted.
She stopped.
Waited.
Then she tried again.
This time he stood still.
Eleanor swung herself onto his back.
There was no saddle.
No stirrups.
No bit.
Only her hands resting lightly against his mane.
The courtyard seemed to hold its breath.
Thunder raised his head.
Eleanor leaned forward.
“Easy.”
The stallion took one step.
Then another.
Nothing happened.
Lord Edmund frowned.
“Make him move.”
Eleanor looked over her shoulder.
“He will move when he trusts me.”
“Horse doesn’t understand trust.”
Eleanor smiled faintly.
“Then you have never known a horse.”
Thunder suddenly stamped.
A groom flinched.
Eleanor remained still.
The stallion’s muscles tightened beneath her.
His head rose.
Then he exploded forward.
The stable doors flew open.
Gasps filled the courtyard.
Thunder shot into the open grounds.
Eleanor bent low over his neck.
There was no saddle to hold her.
No bridle to control him.
Only her balance and the mane beneath her fingers.
The stallion raced across the wet grass.
Lord Edmund ran after them.
“Stop her!”
Nobody knew how.
Thunder galloped toward the outer field.
Eleanor did not pull him back.
Instead, she whispered into his ear.
“Go.”
The horse accelerated.
Wind tore at Eleanor’s cap.
Her hair came loose.
The manor disappeared behind them.
For the first time in years, Eleanor laughed.
Thunder ran as though he had been waiting his entire life for someone to let him.
