THE AIR WAS DAMP AND cold with the first hint of spring as they rode out of the gate and onto a faint track that led over the fields, followed by one of Arthur’s equerries. Amelia hung back a little as Arthur bantered with his nieces. It seemed right to give them some sort of space for whatever freedom they all found in riding and being outside, and it gave her the chance to look her fill at Arthur.
Arthur was posting as he rode, unnecessarily at this speed, but Amelia wasn’t about to complain. Perhaps he was showing off; perhaps it was merely long habit. Either way, the action highlighted his exceptional thighs. Amelia could tell he was eager to push the horse into far more than a slow trot, but anything faster would no doubt make conversation difficult and perhaps offer too much challen
