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Reaching forward, she placed a hand on Rose’s arm.

“I’m sure yer friend can spare ye … just this once,” she pointed out gently.

“I have a placid garron, my maid’s pony, ye can ride tomorrow, if ye wish?

” She paused then, her mouth curving. “And I can give ye a riding lesson. It’s an easy enough skill to master. ”

“Unless ye are me,” Bonnie muttered. “I still bounce around like a toad in a thunderstorm on Ionmhas’s back.”

Davina and Greer burst out laughing at this description, and even Sheena’s mouth tugged upward.

Rose sighed, admitting defeat. “Very well … at least I won’t be the only one ill-at-ease.”

“Excellent.” Greer put her embroidery aside then, pleased that Rose had agreed.

It wasn’t entirely a selfless act. Aye, she wanted to help her gain confidence, yet she also wished to be part of things here, to make the most of every day of this stolen summer.

“Come on … we still have a few hours before supper. It’s time for yer first lesson. ”

Rose’s eyes snapped wide. “What … now?”

“Aye.”

“But what about our sewing?”

“It can wait.”

Sheena made a disapproving face at this, her fine silvery brows crashing together, yet Greer pretended not to see. Both Bonnie and Davina appeared pleased by Greer’s suggestion—and that was what mattered.

“Right then.” Greer rose to her feet. “Let’s go.”

“A garron isn’t difficult to mount … Crabapple stands close enough to the ground.”

“Aye.” Rose eyed the shaggy bay pony that stood saddled before her. “Although how will I manage with these skirts?”

“Ye don’t need to worry … since ye are wearing woolen leggings under them,” Greer replied. Indeed, she’d insisted Rose put some on before they went down to the stables, to preserve her dignity.

A few of the stable lads had stopped mucking out stalls and grooming horses to watch the lesson. Meanwhile, Inghinn stood at her garron’s head, holding his reins.

Ignoring everyone except Rose, Greer gently pushed her up so she was side-on to Crabapple’s shoulder. “Stand like this, facing his rump,” she instructed. “Then place yer left foot into the stirrup … slide it well in … good. Now, grab the pommel with yer left hand.”

“Aye,” Rose said between gritted teeth as she balanced there like a stork on one leg. “What next?”

“Now, spring up into the saddle. Point yer toe down so ye don’t jab Crabapple in the guts.”

“Very well,” Rose muttered, “that sounds easy enough.”

“It is! Here, I’ll count ye down,” Greer replied. “Three … two … one!”

Rose hopped energetically, grabbing hold of the pommel as instructed and trying to hoist herself up onto the saddle. However, she only got halfway up.

Rose let out a salty curse, and both Greer and Inghinn broke out in fits of giggles.

“Come on,” Greer said, trying to focus. “Let’s try again. I’ll help ye this time.”

“Very well,” Rose ground out, “although I can see this getting undignified.”

Greer counted down again, and then Rose sprang upward as Greer grabbed her by the hips and shoved, helping her on her way. But, unfortunately, Greer boosted Rose so energetically that she sailed straight over Crabapple’s broad back with a squeal.

“Christ’s blood!” Greer cried, ducking around the patient garron. “Are ye hurt?”

Both she and Inghinn moved to help Rose up, yet she waved them away.

“No,” Rose grunted, pushing herself up off the cobbles. She then dusted herself down, shooting a glare at where the stable lads and some of the guards were now sniggering nearby. Her face was flushed, yet her expression was determined. “It’s my pride that’s bruised … that’s all.”

“I’m sorry … I don’t know my own strength.”

“Maybe we should ask one of the men for assistance, Lady Greer,” Inghinn murmured, her mood sobering now. “We’re making a spectacle of ourselves.”

Greer tensed, and she glanced around her to see that a crowd was gathering at the perimeters of the barmkin and upon the wall above. Embarrassment washed over her in a prickling wave.

She hadn’t planned on putting on a display for everyone, but she unwittingly had. Curse it. Instead of making Rose feel more at ease here, she risked making her an object of ridicule.

“Let them gawk,” Rose shot back, squaring her shoulders. “I care not.”

Her response was gratifying, and Greer’s mortification eased.

After the lass’s reaction in the ladies’ solar earlier, she’d been worried that Rose might throw in the whole thing and declare she didn’t want a riding lesson, after all.

But instead, Rose rolled up her sleeves and strode around to Crabapple’s near side once more.

“Right,” she declared, grabbing hold of the stirrup, and wedging her foot into it. “I’m not going to let this best me.”

Rose started hopping around then, and Greer tried to help her. However, after a few moments, the three women dissolved into fits of giggling. Greer couldn’t help it; the whole situation was turning ridiculous. There was little they could do but laugh about it.

Inghinn was making wheezing noises as she attempted to rein in her amusement.

“Ye are making a right mess of that, Rose,” a deep male voice rumbled across the barmkin then, intruding upon their mirth. “Do ye wish me to fetch ye a box to stand on?”