They Dared the Maid to Ride the Duke’s Wildest Stallion—She Shocked Everyone by Riding It Bareback
Chapter 5
Eleanor had never stood so close to the duke.
Servants were expected to lower their eyes around him.
She knew that.
But Alexander was not looking at her like a master looking at a servant.
He was looking at her like a man trying to solve a puzzle.
Eleanor glanced toward Thunder.
“He doesn’t hate riders.”
“What does he hate?”
“Being forced.”
The duke’s jaw tightened.
“Who forced him?”
“I don’t know.”
Alexander looked toward the stable master.
The old man lowered his head.
“Your Grace, I—”
“Bring the records.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
The stable master hurried away.
Lord Edmund stepped forward.
“This is absurd. A maid rides a horse and suddenly we are conducting an inquiry?”
Alexander turned toward him.
“A horse under my care was injured.”
“It was an accident.”
“Was it?”
Edmund said nothing.
The duke’s gaze remained on him.
Then Alexander said:
“Leave.”
Edmund stiffened.
“My lord?”
“Leave the stable.”
“But—”
“Now.”
The guests followed him.
Within minutes, the courtyard was nearly empty.
Only Eleanor, Alexander, Thunder, and the stable boys remained.
The duke approached Thunder again.
This time, he removed his gloves.
He held out his hand.
Thunder snorted.
The duke waited.
The horse did not approach.
Eleanor watched.
“You must let him come to you.”
Alexander glanced at her.
“Show me.”
Eleanor stepped beside him.
She took the duke’s hand and lowered it slightly.
Thunder moved closer.
His muzzle touched Alexander’s fingers.
The duke looked surprised.
Eleanor smiled.
“He doesn’t dislike you.”
“Then why does he avoid me?”
“Because you always approach him as his owner.”
Alexander looked at Thunder.
“And how should I approach him?”
“As his friend.”
For the first time, something almost resembling amusement appeared in the duke’s eyes.
“A duke befriending a horse.”
“A horse does not care whether you are a duke.”
“That may be the first sensible thing anyone has told me this morning.”
Eleanor lowered her gaze.
Thunder nudged her shoulder.
Alexander noticed.
“You know horses very well.”
“My father taught me.”
“Where is he?”
Eleanor’s expression changed.
“He died.”
“My condolences.”
“He died saving our horses.”
Alexander waited.
Eleanor did not explain further.
The stable master returned carrying a ledger.
Alexander opened it.
His eyes moved across the pages.
Thunder’s name appeared again and again.
Training.
Hunting.
Private riding.
But one entry made the duke stop.
A payment had been made to an outside trainer.
Three months earlier.
Alexander frowned.
“I never authorized this.”
The stable master went pale.
“Your Grace…”
“Who did?”
The old man swallowed.
“Lord Edmund.”
Alexander slowly closed the ledger.
Then he looked toward the door through which his cousin had disappeared.
“Interesting.”
Eleanor knew that tone.
Someone had just become the subject of the duke’s suspicion.
