BETRAYAL OF DIGNITY
Part 5
The Hunt
The morning of the hunt arrived. Chloe took several deep breaths in front of the mirror before reaching for her cane. Unlike Alice, who was proficient at horseback riding due to her natural athleticism, Chloe had hardly ever been on a horse. Her experience was limited to leisurely jaunts in the woods, her horse's bridle always securely in Gilles's hands. How, then, was she to accompany the Duke on a hunt?
Viscount Verdier, who had initially appeared anxious, seemed relieved upon seeing the Duke waiting for Chloe with a double-seat saddle. No doubt, the Dukes reputation as a champion horseman during his time in the Royal Guard contributed to his reassurance.
Chloe cautiously approached the Duke, who was watching her intently. Mounted on his horse, he looked even more imposing and haughty than usual. As Chloe drew near, limping, he finally extended his hand to her.
Having handed her cane to Gilles, who had been attending to her, she used the Duke's hand as support to mount the horse with her sturdy leg. Climbing onto an animal that was much taller than a carriage was disconcerting. However, what nearly caused her to miss her footing in surprise was how tightly the Duke was gripping her hand.
"Ah!" she gasped.
The Duke, still seated on his horse, abruptly leaned sideways and, using only his legs for balance, lifted Chloe off the ground and set her in front of him as if she were no heavier than a rag doll. He showed no hint of being out of breath. "Let's go." Before Chloe could calm her racing heart, he spurred the horse forward with a kick. As she instinctively gripped the horse's mane with a yelp, she could feel the Duke's solid torso at her back. His body leaned forward against hers, almost as if he were embracing her. They entered the forest at a dizzying gallop, the scenery whizzing by so quickly that she had no time to absorb it. Her heart raced wildly. They were going far too fast.
"Y-Your Grace," she managed to stutter.
"Which way is it? Left or right?"
Hearing his voice in her ear, Chloe realized that his face was mere inches from hers. She was frozen in place, however-not from the fear of falling, but from being enveloped within the fortress of his muscular arms.
"Y-Your Grace..." Chloe stammered.
"Which way is it? Left or right?" the Duke demanded.
Next to them, a pack of hounds were in full pursuit, their excitement palpable. Chloe squinted her eyes against the wind, her breaths sharp and ragged. The more agreeable route would undoubtedly be to the left. If they opted for the right, they would have to traverse a shallow but wide creek. As she was about to answer, the Duke's horse abruptly veered right at the fork.
"Oh!" Chloe exclaimed.
She squeezed her eyes shut as the steed leaped with astonishing power over the creek. The jolt from the saddle made her wince, but more overwhelming than the pain was her fear.
"Please, no!" she cried, her words escaping her lips before she had time to think.
The frenzied hounds splashed through the shallow water and quickly caught up to them. As the wind whipped against her face, she thought she could almost hear the Duke laughing.
With every pound of hoofbeats against the earth, her heart echoed in a fierce rhythm as though it might leap from her chest. The Duke offered no pause for her to feel embarrassed about her exclamation of fear. They were once again presented with a fork in the path.
"Which way this time?"
"Left! We must go left!" Chloe cried without hesitation.
With that, the horse veered left at a terrifying speed. The other hunters were following closely behind, but their speed was still no match for the Duke's. Only the hounds were narrowly managing to keep up.
Upon sighting a sizable deer, the Duke signaled with a soft whistle, leaning into his mount. As he tightened his hold on the reins, Chloe found herself flattened between him and the powerful steed. With her face buried in the horse's soft mane, she felt as if she was one with the creature.
