a distant meadow.
Conor pulled himself into the saddle and followed.
The horses moved in single file, following a welltraveled path, with Elizabeth in the lead, Emma in the middle, and Conor trailing behind.
It was a perfect summer morning, with the grass damp with dew, and a misty haze hanging over the edges of the forest that ringed the meadow.
As the path gradually widened, Elizabeth slowed her mount until the other two drew abreast. They rode up a steep incline, then came to an abrupt halt. Ahead of them was a small herd of deer grazing. For the space of a heartbeat the entire herd seemed to freeze. Then, as several does and their young took off at a run toward the shelter of the forest, the buck stood his ground. Only when his herd was safe did the buck follow.
“Magnificent.” Elizabeth watched as they disappeared into the underbrush. “How I long for my bow and arrows. But I have ordered no hunting in this forest today.”
“A wise move. You shall hunt another time, Majesty. For today, it is enough that we are free to ride.” Conor pointed to a falcon riding the breeze high above them. “As free as the birds.”
“Aye.” Elizabeth gave a little laugh. “I’ve always wished I could fly. Come then, my friends. Let us fly across the meadow to the far side where the forest begins.” Without waiting for their agreement, she urged her mount into a gallop.
Emma’s mare, eager to run, took off at a thunderous pace. For a moment Conor held his mount steady, enjoying the sight of her astride her horse. The fact that she was a skilled rider made the sight all the more pleasurable. Her hair streamed out from beneath her hat as she bent low over her steed’s head. Her laughter filled the morning air.
At last, feeling the tug on the reins, he gave his horse its head. Halfway across the meadow he caught up with her. As he rode alongside, he felt a jolt of pleasure at the sight that greeted him. Emma’s cheeks were a becoming shade of pink; her eyes were warm with excitement.
A peal of delighted laughter rose up from her throat. “Oh, how I’ve missed this. I hadn’t realized just how much until now. I do thank you, Conor.”
“You’re welcome, my lady. It pleases me to see you so happy.”
Gone was the awkwardness that always seemed to set her apart from the others at court. Here, astride a sleek animal, she was definitely in her element. There was such grace and poise in this young woman who turned to him with a smile of pure pleasure before she spurred her mare into a gallop.
Seeing her, the queen followed suit.
Conor watched, then urged his horse to follow. Just ahead of him the two horses remained neck and neck.
Emma called over her shoulder, “Look at me, Conor. I’m flying.”
Emma’s horse began to inch ahead. Conor urged his steed into a last burst of speed. But even that effort couldn’t overtake the lively mare. She fairly flew across the meadow, slowing only when Emma reined her in. As soon as Conor and Elizabeth joined her, they began congratulating one another on an excellent ride.
“Oh, Conor.” Emma’s eyes were shining. “It was as you said. I felt as though I were flying.”
“I do believe that was as close to it as you’ll ever be.” He turned to include the queen. “Both of you looked as though your steeds had sprouted wings.”
Emma leaned down to run a hand affectionately over her mare’s neck. “It has been too long since I’ve enjoyed this pleasure.”
“Is this how you spent your childhood?” Elizabeth asked.
Emma nodded. “Riding wild and free across the green meadows outside Dublin. Oh, Majesty. If you could but see the wild beauty of my homeland. It truly takes the breath away.”
“I’ve not heard much about the beauty of Ireland from Lord Dunstan,” Elizabeth said dryly. “Most of what he has relayed is about the savagery of its people. Especially this Heaven’s Avenger who seems to have spawned a twin on our shores.” The queen glanced upward, watching the path of a falcon as it glided across the sky. “Come. I wish to fly again.” She wheeled her mount and took off at a brisk pace, leaving Emma and Conor to follow.
As they started off Conor held his horse to a more gentle trot.
Emma, keeping pace beside him, turned to him with a worried frown. “Do you think I offended the queen by mentioning my home?”
Hearing the concern in her voice he shook his head. “I’ve learned that this queen is accustomed to saying exactly what’s on her mind. If she had been offended by your words, she would have told you. At the moment, the only thing that concerns Elizabeth is the feel of sunshine warm on her face, and a strong, solid horse beneath her.” He reached over and placed his hand on Emma’s. At once he felt the jolt and was startled by it. Why did the touch of this simple young woman arouse him so? “Let’s do the same, Emma. We’ll put away our worries, and enjoy the day.”
Her smile faltered. Just the feel of his hand on hers brought a strange ripple of pleasure. What sort of power did this man have? Whatever it was, she wanted none of it. She had to remember that all she wanted from him was his secrets.
With an impish grin, Emma nudged her horse into a gallop, determined to escape his charm. Over her shoulder she called, “I do believe my mare can outrun your mount, my lord.”
For a moment he was so surprised, he could only stare after her. Then, he threw back his head and roared with pleasure as he spurred his horse into a gallop. Halfway across the meadow Emma’s horse passed the queen’s. A few moments later Conor’s mount did the same. By the time he reached the far side of the meadow, Emma was standing beside her horse, watching his arrival.
“I knew I could beat you.” Her voice, still breathless, rang with pride.
“That was fine horsemanship, my lady.” Conor remained in the saddle, enjoying the color that suffused her cheeks.
The queen rode up, clearly pouting at having been left out. “Had I known this was to be a race, I would have won it easily. I demand another. And this time I must be included.”
Conor nodded. “Fair enough, Majesty. But a race is not a race unless there is a prize to be won. What will we race for?”
“Gold always works,” the queen said regally.
“Alas, I have none.” Emma’s cheeks reddened.
“I see.” Elizabeth pondered for a moment, then said, “I have it. The winner shall choose an article of clothing from each of the losers.”
“An article of clothing?” Emma looked perplexed.
“Aye. For instance, if I should win,” Elizabeth said with a glint of teasing laughter in her eyes, “I should require of you that delightful riding hat, for it is far more fashionable than mine. And no one should look more fetching than the queen.”
Emma blushed. “The hat isn’t mine, Majesty. It belongs to Amena.”
“I thought I recognized it.” The queen’s laughter grew. “All the more reason why I desire it. Amena owes me a gold sovereign from an earlier wager.” She turned
