Page 12 of Alessandra (Chisholm Manor #1)

As Alessandra dressed in her riding habit, she took note of the strangeness of it, compared to her usual daily attire.

Looking at her reflection in the looking glass, she also appreciated how she looked in it.

Edward's mother had chosen fabric of a dark burgundy colour, with gold trim and accent.

To Alessandra, it felt luxurious.

Heading downstairs, she met Edward waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

His face revealed exactly what he thought of the vision before him.

Looking up at her, Edward thought she looked like she had been made for the outfit, rather than the other way around.

The colour brought out the brown of her eyes - far more so than her usual clothing.

He felt stunned as he looked at her, but was brought out of his thoughts as she approached him, stood at his eye level, and smiled at him.

"I am thankful to your mother for her kindness toward me, as I do love this," she said, running her hands over the front of her new clothes. "Do you?"

Edward took a deep breath and looked at her full length before meeting her eyes again.

"Yes," he said, somewhat overwhelmed.

"You look beautiful in it."

Seeing her start to blush again, Edward smiled at her in amusement as they both relaxed once more.

"Come, Alessandra, my wife to be," he said.

"It is time."

Outside, the groom had already prepared her pony for her.

Alessandra saw the groom walk it forward, so it was closer to her.

She continued to watch as Edward took the reins.

"Before you learn to ride, I think it might be best if you simply get used to being around her.

Come closer," he said, prompting her to move forward to the animal that, to her, looked like a giant.

"She is quite calm and peaceful, but always approach her from this angle, and quietly, so she can start to get used to you as well."

Alessandra moved closer to Edward and the pony.

She stood so that her back was to Edward, and he was standing close behind her.

They were both aware of it, but it only felt right and not at all uncomfortable.

She reached up tentatively, moving toward touching the great animal in front of her, but found herself nervous again.

Her hand stopped midair.

She felt Edward lean forward to take her hand and gently place it on the pony's neck, guiding her in stroking softly.

As he did so, he moved closer to her so that his chest was lightly touching her back. Alessandra felt comforted by his presence so close. Inside, she could feel herself shaking, due to both the regal animal in front of her, and Edward standing so close to her.

Breathing deeply, she determined to try to not let her anxiety show.

Both sets of parents looked on from where they stood.

Mothers looked knowingly at each other and smiled.

Even if the young ones had no idea how they were affecting each other, their mothers could see it clearly.

After what seemed like a long time, standing close to her pony and adjusting to being in such close vicinity to it, Alessandra heard Edward ask if she might like to sit on the saddle.

Although the prospect prompted fear in her, she smiled at him and said she would try.

Edward admired her braveness, whilst making sure he would not get ahead of himself in teaching her to ride.

He took his time, demonstrating to her what she needed to do once he lifted her up.

As he did so, he was pleased to see her follow his instruction.

It was easy for him to see that, whatever she tried in her life, she had the right determination to succeed.

Sitting up on the horse, Alessandra felt like she was on top of a mountain.

She felt so high, even though at a logical level she could see the ground wasn't too far away.

She let Edward put her feet in the stirrups, while he never let go of the reins.

There was reassurance in seeing him watch her sit still momentarily, not knowing what to do next.

"Are you alright?" he asked her.

Alessandra kept her eyes on his while she nodded.

She saw him smile up at her, with his hand on her thigh.

It was a small gesture that meant nothing, but felt extremely intimate to her.

To distract herself, Alessandra looked over at her mother. Isabella was smiling the broadest smile Alessandra had ever seen on her. Alessandra delivered a small, scared smile in response.

"Hold on to this," Edward said, placing her hands where he wanted them to be.

"I am going to walk her just a little bit.

If it scares you, you must let me know."

Alessandra nodded at him, doing as he instructed, but feeling a greater fear begin to grow inside of her.

When the pony started to move, she held on tight, finding the new sensation of sitting on a moving animal very strange indeed.

As she forced herself to relax and look into Edward's eyes when he turned to face her, she found herself adjusting to the movement, and her fear relaxed.

Edward kept looking at her, even as he slowly walked the pony around the stable yard.

He could visibly see her face changing in its level of relaxation.

He considered how brave she was, as he tried to think of the last time he'd tried anything completely new that he had never done before.

Alessandra sat and rode the pony for as long as it took before Edward stopped and looked up at her, again with his hand on her thigh.

"How are you feeling, Alessandra?" he asked, smiling, but at the same time looking concerned that she might not be enjoying it after all.

Alessandra took a deep breath and smiled down at him.

"I am fine.

With this, I feel alright," she reassured him.

She could visibly see him let out a breath that he had been holding.

"Would you like to take the reins?" he asked but saw her shake her head in reply.

"Could I perhaps try that tomorrow, Edward? I would very much like to get used to only one thing at a time," she said, letting out a little, frail laugh.

Edward smiled up at her and made sure the pony was secure before lifting Alessandra down to the ground again.

As he did, her knees almost gave way to her when her feet touched the ground.

He laughed with her as she almost fell with nervousness.

His quick responses ensured he caught her before she fell.

"Remain still for a minute, Alessandra," Edward said.

"Allow your legs to adjust to being on the ground again."

Alessandra did as he'd suggested, revelling in being so close to him.

With both of his arms supporting her, she felt secure and safe.

"Thank you for being so patient with me," she said, almost in a whisper, they were so close.

She was looking at his face so closely - his eyes and his mouth.

In that, she felt like she did not want to stop.

Edward felt her eyes intently focused on him.

He fought to control his emotion as he looked at their parents standing not too far away.

"If you would still like to, we shall do a little bit each day," he said, tearing his eyes away from her lips.

"I am sure you will be a confident horsewoman in no time."