Horseride
The next day they all met at the stables where Stephen had had their horses saddled up for the early morning ride. He'd been very surprised when the master had asked him to saddle up the old slow mare.
When they arrived he wondered when the third rider would show up. It clearly couldn't be the governess, could it? They had noticed her and the master getting closer but she wouldn't forget her place, would she? Yet they hadn't had to prepare for a guest. Mr Chase didn't really welcome guests since his cousin's death.
Stephen helped Labhaoise onto her horse and then turned to Caoimhne and said, "Your turn."
"Sir, I really don't think this is a good idea," she answered eyeing the horse nervously. She swallowed a lump in her throat looking at the grand beast. She hadn't realised how high off the ground horses were. She'd hardly ever come into contact with them.
"Oh hogwash, Ginger wouldn't harm you at all. She's a very timid, tame horse. She wouldn't hurt a fly. Now let me help you up."
"Sir, it really isn't proper."
"Stuff proper! I've never really been one for propriety. Now please let me help you up. You agreed you wanted to learn to ride."
"As I've noticed," she whispered then added louder, "Sir, won't you see up my undergarments."
"Don't you trust me."
"Yes sir."
"Then stop all this silliness and let me help you onto the horse. We don't want you to fall."
She nodded and allowed him to teach her how to mount the horse. She was sitting there side saddle when he shook his head.
"Swing your leg over," he said.
"But sir I believed ladies ride like this," she answered.
"The pompous ones yes but it's the silliest thing I've seen. You're a lot more likely to break your neck that way. Swing your leg over."
She did begrudgingly and he slapped Ginger's side calling her a good girl then climbed onto his horse. They trotted their horses out of the stables while he instructed Caoimhne how to ride.
Soon they were riding towards the cliffs when he stopped his horse so the girls did too. He looked down at the rubble again and then turned back sadly. Caoimhne noticed his change in demeanour and became concerned.
"I burned down that house in my younger days because they weren't able to afford the rent..." She looked up at him in horror so he turned away. "I'm now thoroughly ashamed of myself even though the young man now lives happily in America with my former fiancée. I promised myself if another woman came along for me I'd never let her go ever again."
She felt her heart flutter and hoped sincerely it would be her. "Sir, please forget about the past. You're not that man anymore."
He smiled slightly and nodded. "Well, homeward bound. That's enough riding for today. Labhaoise has her lessons to attend to."
She nodded. "Of course."
He headed them home and when they got to the stables he got off his horse and then helped the girls off.
"Thank you, sir," she smiled.
"You're welcome. Did you enjoy your lesson?" he smiled back.
"Very much, sir."
"Then I wish for you to join us on our morning rides."
"As you wish, sir."