It took a few awkward, almost comical moments for the two of them to find a comfortable riding position so close together. The saddle was just long enough for them to both fit between the high front and back, which led to Elizabeth’s bottom being pressed up against Wil’s lap. The warmth, shape and softness of her body in such close quarters was intoxicating for the young man, who was unable to hide how strongly he felt for her. Furthermore, since his legs had to be on contact with the horse in order to ride properly, her thighs needed to rest on top of his. They next settled on her tucking her lower legs around his own in order to help secure her in place, which made the contact even more overwhelming for the romantically inexperienced squire. Since they were physically in more contact with one another than ever before, his feelings were even more intense than when they had kissed on the ground a few minutes ago. Now, all but wrapped around one other, Wil became a bit lightheaded from the unfamiliar yet welcome intimacy. When she turned to check on him she could see a permanent blush had settled on his neck and cheeks. He had to clear his throat twice before he could reply.<br/><br/>“Botha? Ye bein' thes close is naethin' short ay heaven on earth. Ah woods ride wi' ye loch thes until mah final day, Ah coods. Th' only botha ye will be tae me, Elizabeth, is when ye ur safely haem an' wish tae climb doon. Fur releasin' ye frae mah arms will make me so unhappy.”<br/><br/>As he explained Wil brought his lips closer to hers, helplessly and inexorably drawn closer and closer to the beauty in his arms. Unless she stopped him, they kissed deeply and passionately for almost a full minute, bringing Wil the most amazing sensation of being alive that he had ever felt. His body responded in kind, and Wil began to lose touch with his surroundings. His hands gently found their way to her abdomen as if they moved of their own accord. Wil was barely aware he was doing so, lost as he was in an entirely different world where nothing existed except the two of them and a delirious sensation of shared happiness.<br/><br/>The moment lasted until the horse shuffled on its feet, trying to balance the wiggling, off-center load on it back. Unprepared as they were, Elizabeth immediately began to slip out of the saddle. She didn’t fall more than an inch, though, before Wil caught her in his powerful arms and gently placed her back in position.<br/><br/>“I’m sorry, 'at was… mah faut,” he apologized, even more red-faced and now breathless from the kiss. “We shoods awa',” he explained as his left hand took the reins and he wrapped his right arm around her. To make sure she didn’t slide again, Wil placed his right hand on the left side of her waist, holding her hip firmly against him. He made sure that his arm was placed in such a way that it didn’t pass between or rub up against her breasts, which would have been improper. He did his best to observe at least that much decorum as they began to ride.<br/><br/>Instead of riding due west, back towards Lake Palace, Wil turned the horse south. Although he didn’t explain initially, he decided the best bet was to break out of the forest and ride quickly through the open farmland south of where they were now. Now that they were together they could move faster than when they were riding separately, as she was freed from the limitation of her side-saddle.<br/><br/>Although the horse ride was bumpy, Wil minimized the shocks as best he could by maneuvering the horse across the most level ground he could find. His grip on her was firm yet gentle. Still, though, he relished in the sensation of her right up against him, held tightly in his arms. In his mind he prayed to God that this wouldn’t be the last time he held her so.<br/><br/>After a few minutes the forest began to thin and he turned the horse to the west into the open country.<br/><br/>“Wi' yer permission, let’s try canterin'. We’ll make better time in th' open, an' trottin' woods be uncomfortable fur ye,” he explained, looking deeply into her eyes. His blush had faded but not his smile as he spoke to the her.