There was an alarming amount of relief when she agreed to his suggestion. Robin chose to believe that it was because it never felt good to be rejected, even for simple offers, and he’d avoided embarrassment. Delving any further into that might bring up answers that he didn’t want to deal with at the moment. For right now, he’d rather not be a prince who had to worry about social protocol. He’d like to be a man giving a pretty girl a ride home.
Which brought up a rather sticky question that he was unsure how to address. A gentleman did not make a lady ride pillion, and while he might be avoiding his princely responsibilities for a moment, he could never be less than a gentleman. He’d only done that once when he made The Bargain, and look where that had landed him. However, asking a young lady that one has just met to essentially sit in one’s lap was a bit forward.
There was a slight flush to his cheeks as he returned her introduction. “Robin Gallant. And I am honored to meet you, Miss Rowan.” He glanced at his horse, then smiled at her again. “As it is rather chilly out today, I think we should get you to your destination with all due haste.”
A long pause followed as he considered the best way to bring up what he had to say next. Cautiously, he began, “If you are ready, Miss Rowan, I can lift you onto my horse now. I promise, he is very gentle.”