I Didn't Want to Get Married

Part 3

I felt the need to say something to break the uncomfortable silence. Ideally, I hoped to let Andrew know I wasn't an enemy. But first I wanted to figure out if he was an asshole or not. "Your horses are really magnificent. What breed are they?"

He inclined his head just enough so that I'd be able to hear what he said, but didn't make eye contact. "I keep and breed Drum horses. So most are Drums, but I have some Clydesdales, Gypsy Vanners and Grand Gypsies, Shires, and even a couple Friesians for smaller riders that visit." He glanced briefly at me.

Andrew's tone was careful, neutral, and perfectly boring. I was going to have to crack his shell. "I heard the mare's name was Hecate. Does she have a temper to match such a name?"

That got me a small chuckle that was quickly stifled. Yes- progress! "Indeed, she does, even as a small filly she was very willful. It's how she got that name. Hecate requires a skilled handler and rider, most definitely. She's wont to bite."

I thought I saw the ghost of a smile, but Andrew went silent again. I wasn't going to give up. "Your stallion is incredible. What is his name? Is it Beelzebub, to be worthy of a mare like Hecate?" I took a chance and elbowed him lightly in the ribs.

Andrew chuckled again, louder this time, and looked at me briefly, with a beatific smile. I was glad he was holding my arm, as I almost tripped when he did that.

I had felt everything just under my stomach turn molten hot, like liquid. My cheeks burned, and I felt the indecent thoughts return in full force. There was fire in between my legs, all in less than a second, and I lost my footing, totally overwhelmed.

Luckily, Andrew stopped and steadied me. "Watch your step, we have a few gophers here, my lady." I nodded; terrified that Andrew would realize that I, too, had accidentally come to appreciate his fine features. I resolved to make eye contact as little as possible, that I might be able to focus.

Andrew guided us towards a bench by a fountain, doubtless fearing for his safety lest we continue walking, and we sat down. I pretended to be enthralled by the nearby bird feeders and the fountain, so I wouldn't have to look at Andrew very often. "Actually, to answer your earlier question, the stallion's name is Porkchop."

I smiled up at Andrew, delighted, and he couldn't help but smile back. "Where did he come by that name?" I quickly looked away, but was still amused. And overly warm again. What a sexy man! Damn!

"I received Porkchop as a colt, when I was a younger lad. My father wanted him castrated, but he came from excellent lines, and I had the feeling he would turn out to be worthy of genetic preservation, not just useful as my mount as a gelding. Of course, I was right, but only I can get him to behave well enough to ride-"

I decided to get cheeky. "-So you are as cocky as you are famously handsome, eh?"

I glanced up at Andrew, and he looked totally scandalized. "You're very different, (Y/N). I've never met a young lady that called me a pompous asshole, interrupted me, and called me cocky. Well, it's either that or you're implying I'm famously ugly. I can't decide if I like it or not."

I shrugged, grinning. "Well you clearly didn't like damned near anything else." Andrew made a puzzled face, and I rolled my eyes at him. "Oh please, cut the crap! Apparently you've refused every available woman for years, Andrew! I feel like me being here is a total waste of time, but there's no need to be unpleasant about it. Can we at least have a nice afternoon?"

Andrew looked at me like I'd just told him he was with child. I tried again. "Andrew, look... I don't mean to hurt your feelings. And I don't care if it's because you're in love with someone you can't have, or if you prefer men-"

Andrew sputtered. "-I'm not gay! Heavens! I'm so damned tired of everyone saying that! It's because I'm waiting for a woman I feel a genuine connection with, (Y/N)! Is that so terrible?" He looked only slightly angry, moreso frustrated.

I patted my hand on his arm, trying to calm him down. "No, Andrew, it's not. But love is for stories. Consider yourself lucky. You are a man, so you have more sway when it comes to what your parents dictate, whom you marry. I, on the other hand, have almost none. You, at least, have been able to refuse that many women. I would never be able to refuse that many suitors, Andrew. I could never develop the reputation you have, because my parents would never allow it. They would bargain me off to the man with the largest holdings, the most influence, and the largest social standing, regardless of how I felt about him or any of the others." I laughed bitterly. "Not that there are a huge number of men after my hand..."

Andrew surprised me with a compliment that made me blush. "As soon as you leave my company, I shall start on building you a reputation for being just as beautiful as I am supposedly handsome. It will develop whether your parents want it to or not."

I grinned. "Oh-ho! So you're one of those, eh? Going to say I snogged you?"

Andrew looked confused. "What is 'snogged?'"

I rolled my eyes. "It's making out, silly! Honestly, I'd be a lot more interested in riding one of your enormous horses."

Andrew, again, looked surprised. "Uh... Alright, I suppose I have a few, calmer-"

No way! Now was a chance to show off my horsemanship! Forget marriage, forget the political game for just a few hours! I wanted to ride a Drum stallion! "Not a chance, Biersack!-"

Poor man looked shocked. "-Biersack?-"

"-I want to ride a Drum stallion!" I grabbed his long-fingered hands and shook them excitedly.

Andrew made a horrified face and said something unexpected. "What the fuck?" Then- "Oops!"

I grinned wickedly. "If you don't let me ride a Drum stallion, I'll tell my parents you 'fuck'ed me!"

Andrew laughed, eyebrows shooting up his head. "You're the devil! Fine, fine... My father has a few, older stallions that aren't used for breeding anymore. We'll have a look at those, ok?"

I decided to take what I could get. Andrew rose and offered me his arm. As I took it, I caught the slight change in the look in his eye, but I wasn't sure what it was. Was it respect?