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As they led a beautiful bay mare out of the stables, the little girl squealed in delight, her eyes sparkling at the sight of it.

The stable hands assisted Maisie into the saddle first, ensuring she was comfortably seated before Yvette followed shortlyafterwards, gracefully mounting behind Maisie and wrapping her arm securely around the child’s waist.

“Are you comfortable, darling?” Yvette asked.

Maisie leaned back slightly, grinning. “Yes, Duchess! Let’s go!”

With a gentle nudge, Yvette guided the horse out of the stables and towards the castle gates. Maisie squealed softly as the horse moved, the child’s excitement only growing as they passed through the gates and onto the cobbled streets beyond the estate.

As they rode further from Braemore Castle, Yvette felt a sense of liberation. The fresh air kissed her cheeks, and the rhythmic gait of the horse beneath them was soothing.

“It’s so pretty out here!” Maisie exclaimed.

“It is,” Yvette agreed, her voice soft as she took in the gentle slope of the hills and the golden sunlight spreading across the horizon. “The countryside has its charm, doesn’t it?”

Maisie nodded vigorously.

“Duchess,” Maisie called after a short while, tilting her head back to look at Yvette, “Do you think I’ll ever be able to ride as well as you?”

“I don’t see why not,” Yvette replied, smiling down at her. “You just need a little more practice. One day, you’ll be riding out here all on your own.”

Maisie gasped dramatically. “All by myself? Do you think Papa will let me?”

Yvette laughed. “I think he will. But first, you’ll need to convince your riding instructor that you’re ready.”

Maisie giggled, her small hands gripping the saddle more tightly as the horse trotted into a lush green field. “I’ll work very hard, I promise!”

“But for now, let’s enjoy this ride together, shall we?”

Maisie nodded, giggling as she did.

They continued onward, the cool morning breeze brushing against their faces. Maisie chattered about her lessons and how she couldn’t wait to tell her riding instructor that she had ridden outside the estate. Yvette listened, laughing at Maisie’s dramatic gestures and wide-eyed tales.

When they finally returned to the gates of Braemore Castle, Maisie twisted around in the saddle to beam up at Yvette.

“That was the best ride ever! I can’t wait until I can do this by myself.”

Yvette chuckled, her chest warming at the girl’s uncontainable enthusiasm.

“And I can’t wait to see you ride on your own. You’ll be magnificent, Maisie.”

As they approached the stables, Yvette’s gaze caught sight of Killian standing with a group of stable boys. His commanding presence was unmistakable, and the men around him seemed eager to execute his instructions. Yvette frowned slightly as one of the boys pointed in her direction, and Killian immediately turned, his eyes locking onto them.

Yvette’s heart skipped a beat. She instinctively braced herself for a scolding. Surely, Killian would reprimand her for taking Maisie out without his express permission. She tightened her grip on the reins as they drew closer, her nerves prickling with anticipation.

To her surprise, when the horse came to a stop, Killian stepped forward without a word of reproach. Instead, he reached out his hand to her, his gaze never leaving hers.

“Here,” he said, his voice low but steady.

Yvette hesitated for a moment before placing her hand in his. The instant their skin touched, a current seemed to spark between them. Her pulse quickened, and she swallowed hard as his firm grip steadied her. The tingling sensation traveled up her arm and down her spine, making her acutely aware of how close they were.

Killian didn’t look away, his gaze holding hers as if trying to convey something unspoken. For a fleeting moment, she forgot where they were, her breath catching at the intensity in his eyes.

The spell was broken when a stable boy helped Maisie down from the horse. The little girl immediately ran to Killian, throwing her arms around his leg.

“Papa!” Maisie exclaimed, her voice bursting with happiness.

Killian’s attention shifted to his daughter, a rare softness crossing his features as he placed a hand on her head. Yvette exhaled, her shoulders relaxing slightly as the tension eased.