"Good morning, Ian. How is she today?"
"Quite well, ma'am. I brushed her out earlier and she is ready for her run."
"Thank you, Ian. Will you ride out with me today?"
"Ma'am? You usually prefer to ride alone. I've seen you out there and you are probably the best I've seen. I am not sure I could keep up with you."
"Thank you, Ian. But sometimes I become lonely on the ride and it would be nice to trot along with somebody and talk along the way."
"Ma'am, I thank you for the offer, but I think I would be over-stepping my station as a groom to ride with the lady of the house. Besides, I did not bring my riding attire today. It is not the most comfortable ride in a kilt."
"Please, Ian. I would be most grateful to you if you would come."
"Well, ma'am, I suppose I could saddle up another pony. Just give me a few minutes."
So Ian prepped another horse for the ride and Lady Gordon waited patiently, eyeing him the whole time.
Together they rode out onto the moors. They talked about the lands and the game on the estate.
"Ian, you are out ghillie's son, are you not?"
"Yes, ma'am. Born and raised on the estate. I am good at the hunt, but I prefer to care for horses. Your husband was good enough to let me take on the groom's role when old Smith passed."
"You do a great job, Ian. Our horses had never been so healthy as when you took over."
"Thank you, ma'am."
"Ian, I need a rest. Let's dismount over by those trees there."
"As you wish, m'lady."
They rode over to a grove of oaks on the top of a hill. Ian assisted Lady Gordon off her mount and laid out an extra horse blanket he had brought along. Lady Gordon sat, pushing her skirts to the side and looked up at Ian.
Ian was about eighteen and quite strong from working in the stables for several years. He had his long brown hair pulled tight into a tail, held with a bow from the ribbons of his bonnet. He wore a grey tweed jacket and waistcoat, brown leather sporran, green Gordon tartan kilt, grey kilt hose, and brown leather brogues.
"Ian, why don't you sit down here, beside me?"
"Ma'am, that wouldn't be proper."
"Please, Ian. Who would know? Besides, I have enjoyed our conversation thus far, and to carry it on with you standing would put a terrible crook in my neck."
"Well I guess we can't have that.