Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107763 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“Never mind getting a different saddle, I think some exercise is in order,” I said as I mounted up, though with my dress it took a bit of extra effort.
“Lady Hathor, I do not mean to interrupt—”
I was off as fast as I could be, without a second thought. I galloped forward with every desire to put as much earth between us as possible.
“Lady Hathor!” I heard the stablemen yell out behind me.
As I traveled farther and faster down the path from the stables, the wind whipped past me fiercely. My lungs filled with air and my heart pounded vigorously within my chest.
Just when I was sure I’d gotten far enough away, I saw a blur of white appear beside me.
“Slow down!” he yelled at me, now beside me, racing along with me. Why? Why was he following me?
Faster, I thought, and somehow Sofonisba heard me. My heart nearly rose into my throat as we burst forward, and I grinned as I thought I’d lost him. However, within a matter of moments, he was back riding right beside me. I glanced over only to see him staring at me, his eyes wide in utter shock or maybe horror. I was not sure which, but I did not stop, racing past him and farther down the path as fast as I could. Again, a third time, he was beside me keeping pace.
“Hathor!” he yelled at me, pulling in front of me, forcing me to slow down.
“What on earth are you doing?” I yelled back as Sofonisba came to a stop, leaving me a few paces in front of him. I turned to see him clearly. His hair was tousled in every direction by the wind, and his white face was rather striking while breathless, actually.
“I could ask the same of you! Are you all right?” he snapped at me with a strange tone, given the question.
“Yes, why?” I said, taking another deep breath.
“Because you were riding as if you planned to save the king!”
“I do believe one of my ancestors actually did, so it may very well be possible,” I replied, brushing my hair from my face. “However, my ride today was solely to rid myself of your company. Clearly, I did not go fast enough. So, if you’ll excuse me—”
“Is my company so horrid that you would risk your neck? What would have happened if you were thrown?”
“I would fly, then land.”
He huffed, or was that a chuckle? I was not sure, but either way he then let a sigh go and shook his head. “Do you not believe your disdain of me is a bit excessive?”
“No, I believe it is rather proportional, thank you. Or did you forget what you did last night?”
“I did not forget. And I wished to apologize—”
“I do not want your apology!”
“When do you ever!”
“Are you mocking me?”
“I am trying to apologize here!”
“Why?”
“What?”
“Why did you…why did you do what you did?” I questioned.
He frowned before letting out a sigh. “I do not know.”
“That is a horrible answer.”
“I am aware, but I cannot explain. All I can do is beg forgiveness for my actions. It shall not happen again.”
“And you can never speak of it!” I hollered at him. “Not to me. Not to anyone. I shall wipe it from my mind utterly, and should you speak of it I shall deny—”
“Lady Hathor, fear not. I would not do such a thing against you or anyone. I swear upon all that is holy, I will never speak of it again.”
“I do not know that I can trust you.”
“Lady Hathor…”
“You have broken the rules of propriety and you have no reason as to why. Now you demand forgiveness, and I am supposed to give it based on what? Your word? What good is that when you act…as you act. Do you believe me a fool?”
He chuffed. “The way I acted? I was willing to take the blame, as it was I who caused the ordeal, but do not forget you returned the kiss.”
“I did not!”
“You very much did so!”
I gasped back. “No—”
“Yes, Lady Hathor, you did.”
Once more I stared at him and held my head high. “I know nothing of what you speak and I will not talk of it again. It is your word against mine and I say I did not.”
“And I say you did—”
“You swore upon all that is holy you would never speak of it again. Therefore, I will hold you to that, Your Highness, or do you not fear God either?” I continued on my ride, and I wanted to believe the thundering in my heart was from the exercise, but I could not say for certain.
Wilhelm
Hopping down from my horse, I ripped off my gloves. I was damn well ready to rid myself of my coat as well; all of my body was boiling over. I could feel my jaw clenching tighter and tighter.