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“I have,” Rick said.
“So, you changed your mind?”
“I softened to the idea, Alexandra. I enjoy your company enough to enter into some sort of agreement. It might be the best thing for us both. Celeste is oppressive. I would like to help you. I am obligated to help.”
“But would you be able to manage it? I mean, we’re… in an agreement?”
“I am alright with that for now. It’s not forever, right? We do this to get you your freedom, give everyone a fairytale, and then reassess.”
I smiled. “And should you… well, I am not encouraging things… but it’s not unusual that a man in your position might…”
He shook his head. “I appreciate that, Alexandra. We do not need to address it now. I don’t need to discuss this.”
“I don’t know what I can promise you, Rick. I’d hate to see you miserable. I know I don’t know you, but it isn’t my intent?—”
“I know. Don’t apologise, Alexandra.”
I blushed, not sure what to say. He was dutiful. Maybe we could do this after all? I wasn’t sure what it would completely require, but I was excited to try. I could taste freedom. His intent to break me out of the palace walls to go riding alone spoke volumes. I trusted him more than I should, but it was a better chance to be happy than being locked in the palace walls with a tyrant. So far, he did not seem a control freak.
“Race me?” I asked, knowing full well my mount was faster.
I gave Rick no time to react, kicking my horse into a rolling canter. I gave him a moment to catch up before flicking my gelding’s shoulder with a crop and picking up a gallop. The horse roared forward. It was heaven to have the wind in my face. Seeing the world through a horse’s ears was the greatest blessing. I relished it until I pulled up at a large paddock gate. Inside, broodmares and foals grazed.
Rick soon caught up.
“Unfair!” He laughed. “Damn, you are fast!”
I beamed. “I can be, yes.”
“Having fun at my expense?”
“Oh, come on. It’s not that bad, Rick.”
He chuckled as I opened the gate and let him through. We walked out for a bit, finally finding the herd grazing. Foals ran up, curious about the new arrivals. We let our horses munch momentarily. As they grazed, we played with the foals.
“New babies are my favourite thing,” I said. “Who doesn’t love foals?”
“Pesky things,” Rick said as a liver chestnut nibbled his bootlace.
I giggled. “That one is Rickie. I got to come out here for a PR stunt on the day he was born.”
“No wonder he likes me.”
“Clearly.”
“You have such stunning land, Alexandra. It’s heaven out here.”
“You don’t have anything like this?”
“We have pastures, but our country is mountainous. It doesn’t afford vast spaces like this. It’s beautiful in a different way. Have you never been to Lundhavn?”
I shook my head. “Embarrassed to tell you I have not, but I will be honest. I have been few places outside of here, Belgium, and Denmark. My mother was Danish?—”
“That I know. Well, we will be expected to have a stop in Lundhavn, of course. If we are to do this thing, then that will be expected.”
I was unsure of how to react. Was he on board now? Was this a confirmation? Was I getting married? It was all confusing. I needed a final determination—something clear to go on. If so, we needed to make plans. But how?
“How do we do it? And is this your final decision?”
