Chapter 83: distracted

Chapter 83: Chapter 83: distracted

"Later."

Anthony inclined his head in parting before turning toward the neighboring polo grounds.

Vivienne remained where she was.

Her gaze lingered on his familiar broad back as it gradually disappeared beyond the row of hedges separating the two practice fields.

Only when he was completely out of sight did she realize...

She was smiling.

...

Later.

Such an ordinary word.

People said it every day.

Yet somehow...

When Anthony said it...

It sounded different.

Did he mean later this afternoon?

At the Foundation meeting?

Or simply...

Later.

She honestly had no idea.

Still...

A tiny smile found its way back onto her lips.

Hopefully sooner rather than later.

The thought stayed with her as she adjusted the strap beneath her riding helmet and headed toward the equestrian grounds.

She was happy. Ridiculously so.

--

The familiar scent greeted her long before she reached the arena.

Fresh hay.

Oiled leather.

And...

Horse.

...

Vivienne’s nose twitched almost instinctively.

Still terrible.

She was beginning to suspect horses spent every waking hour inventing new ways to smell like...

Horse.

One would think four weeks of exposure might have helped.

It hadn’t.

Not even a little.

Some sacrifices, apparently...

Refused to become easier.

A stable hand passing by dipped his head politely.

"Good morning, Lady Beaumont."

"Good morning."

Maple was already waiting outside her stall, ears flicking lazily as another groom finished adjusting the saddle.

Vivienne walked over.

"Good morning."

Maple answered with a soft snort.

"I’ll assume that means the same."

The mare merely blinked at her.

"...Fair enough."

Taking the reins, Vivienne led Maple toward the riding arena.

Today was their practical assessment.

Ordinarily...

That thought alone would’ve made her nervous.

Today...

Not so much.

Her heart still felt strangely light.

Almost as though Anthony’s single word had followed her all the way here.

Hopeless.

She really was hopeless.

--

The students gradually gathered inside the arena.

Mounted riders waited in a neat line while Coach Margaret reviewed the names on her clipboard.

Once everyone had assembled, she looked up.

"We’ll begin the practical assessments."

The quiet conversations ceased immediately.

"You’ll each complete the required riding exercises individually."

"I’ll be assessing your posture, balance, rein control, transitions, steering, and overall communication with your horse."

Coach Margaret lowered her eyes to the clipboard.

"We’ll proceed alphabetically."

The first student entered the arena.

Coach Margaret observed in silence.

Occasionally making a note.

Occasionally offering a brief correction.

The assessment concluded within a few minutes.

The student bowed before returning to the side.

The next name followed.

"Lady Beaumont."

Vivienne gently squeezed the reins.

"Yes, Coach."

Maple stepped forward obediently.

Coach Margaret gave a single nod.

"You may begin."

"Yes, Coach."

Vivienne drew a quiet breath.

All right.

Focus.

Maple moved into a steady walk.

The first marker approached.

A wide circle.

Steady hands.

Relaxed shoulders.

Good.

Coach Margaret’s earlier lessons echoed naturally inside her mind.

Look ahead.

Don’t look at the horse.

Trust your seat.

Not your nerves.

Walk to halt.

A clean stop.

Good.

Halt to walk.

Maple responded immediately.

See?

This isn’t so ba—

The morning breeze brushed lightly against her face.

Somewhere beyond the trees...

She could hear the distant sounds of the polo grounds.

Anthony was probably finishing practice by now.

...

Later.

The word floated effortlessly back into her thoughts.

Without realizing it...

The corners of her lips lifted once more.

Maple slowed ever so slightly.

Her next turn drifted wider than intended.

Not dangerous.

Not careless.

Simply...

Lacking precision.

Coach Margaret’s voice cut cleanly across the arena.

"Lady Beaumont."

Vivienne blinked.

"...Yes, Coach?"

"You are distracted."

It wasn’t a question.

Nor an accusation.

Merely an observation.

Heat climbed immediately into Vivienne’s cheeks.

"...My apologies."

Coach Margaret watched her for another quiet moment before closing her clipboard.

"Equitation is an accredited course."

"This assessment contributes to your final grade."

The arena had gone completely silent.

Even the students waiting nearby instinctively lowered their eyes.

"I could evaluate today’s performance as it stands."

Vivienne’s grip tightened slightly around the reins.

"...Yes, Coach."

There was a brief pause.

Then—

"However..."

"I do not believe this reflects your actual ability."

Relief hadn’t yet reached Vivienne before Coach Margaret continued.

"You will complete another assessment after the remaining students."

"When I call your name the second time..."

"I expect your full concentration."

Vivienne lowered her head.

"...Understood."

"Good."

Coach Margaret opened her clipboard once more.

"Return to the waiting area."

"Yes, Coach."

Vivienne gently guided Maple away.

She had barely reached the side of the arena before embarrassment caught up with her.

...

Wonderful.

Absolutely wonderful.

She had just been given a second assessment...

Not because she lacked ability.

But because she’d been too busy thinking about her fiancé during an examination.

She closed her eyes.

Just for a second.

Coach Margaret could have simply accepted that performance.

Recorded the grade.

Moved on.

Instead...

She had been given another opportunity.

A courtesy.

One she absolutely did not deserve.

...

How mortifying.

If Anthony somehow learned she’d nearly ruined her practical assessment because she’d been replaying a single word he’d said...

No.

Absolutely not.

That information would remain buried forever.

Vivienne inhaled slowly before letting the breath escape.

Focus.

Pass Equitation first.

Romance afterwards.

Preferably...

In that order.

One by one, the remaining students completed their assessments.

Coach Margaret observed each performance with the same unwavering attention before dismissing them for lunch.

Gradually, the arena emptied.

Voices faded into the distance.

The lunch bell rang somewhere across campus.

Soon...

Only one rider remained besides Vivienne.

She quietly watched as Coach Margaret finished making notes on the last assessment.

The rider bowed politely before leading his horse away.

Silence settled over the arena.

Coach Margaret closed her clipboard.

Then looked up.

"Lady Beaumont."

Vivienne straightened almost immediately.

"Yes, Coach."

Coach Margaret met her eyes.

"This time..."

"Show me your riding."

Vivienne nodded once.

"...Yes, Coach."

She gently patted Maple’s neck.

"All right."

"Let’s do this properly."

Maple flicked an ear.

Vivienne smiled to herself.

"...And no."

"I’m still not hugging you."

The mare answered with an unimpressed snort.

"...I thought so."

She gathered the reins.

Then guided Maple toward the starting line once more.