Page 53 of A Royal Obligation
Liam looked at his brother briefly before pulling him in for a tight hug. “I’ve only been able to grow up a bit because I had a good example to look up to. You.” Liam pulled back and looked Barrett in the eyes. “But if you ever tell anyone I said that, I will deny it to the grave.” He smirked.
Barrett laughed before clapping him on the back. “Don’t worry; your secret is safe with me.”
Liam cleared his throat and looked away, hiding his emotion from Barrett. He had never been one to express his feelings, so Barrett saw this conversation as progress.
Barrett looked over and saw everyone was beginning to get on their horses. “Looks like I’ve gotta go.” He tilted his head towards everyone. “See you after?”
Liam gave a terse nod, and Barrett jogged over to Charlotte.
“May I offer my assistance?”
“As long as you aren’t planning on getting on behind me.” She winked.
“Very funny.”
He looked to his right as he cupped his hands to give her a boost up. He felt like he had swallowed a dozen rocks as he watched Lord Howard help Jules get on her horse, taking a lot longer than needed with his hands on her waist.
He pushed Charlotte’s leg up and launched her over the horse with the force of his anger.
“Oh my goodness,” he exclaimed when he realized what he had done. “Charlotte, are you hurt?”
She dusted herself off as she stood and inspected her outfit.
“I think I’m okay; nothing feels broken. Did you eat a big bowl of protein powder this morning, Mr. Hulk?” she teased as he helped her onto her horse more gently this time.
Easy-going. Check.
“I’m so sorry.” He righted her, making sure she was thoroughly okay before he went and mounted his own horse.
He glanced around, making sure everyone was accounted for. James, Lord Howard, and Lady Raina talked in one small group, and Charlotte and Jules made up another. Behind all of them were a few members of his father’s council and his bodyguard.
After everyone was ready to go, they started out at a light trot, heading towards the forest area that backed up against the palace gardens. After a few minutes of riding, Barrett fell into easy conversation with Charlotte, asking her more about her interests thanks to his information from Jules. Charlotte seemed to be interested in him, and he finally was starting to feel like he could talk to her without acting like a bumbling fool.
Maybe my dating lessons are actually working? I might need more of those … just to be sure.
Their conversation was interrupted by an ear-piercing scream. Out of the corner of his eye, Barrett saw a quick flash. He turned his head to see Jules’s horse bolting into the woods at a full gallop despite Jules’s efforts to stop it.
In that moment, Barrett felt like his heart dropped into his stomach. The same way he felt when his mother’s horse had spooked all those years ago. His heart pounded so loud, he could feel it in his ears.She has to be okay.
“Ugh, I’m heading back,” Lady Raina moaned and jutted out her lower lip.
Barrett quickly turned to face his bodyguard. “I’m going after her. Please remain here with the rest of the group.” He pushed his horse, Apollo, harder than he had ever pushed him before. Urging him to get to Jules as quickly as possible.
I can’t lose her, too.
“Jules!” he yelled. “Try to steer him in a large circle.”
“I lost hold of the reins. I can’t!”
When he was a few yards away, he shouted, “I’m almost there. Get ready—I’m going to pick you up off your horse and pull you onto mine, okay?”
“Okay,” she yelled back over her shoulder.
Once he was next to her, both horses still galloping, he leaned to the right and wrapped his arm around Jules’s waist. He held her tightly and pulled her to him. She sat in front of him, half on his leg and half on the saddle as she clutched onto him for dear life. He slowed his horse to a complete stop.
“My horse, we have to—”
“Are you all right? You scared the daylights out of me.” Barrett let out a loud puff of air, finally feeling like he could breathe again. He ran his hands up and down her arms and assessed her condition.