Emily dropped her hands to her waist and stared up at him with grim determination. It wasn’t just that she couldn’t ride. Horses scared her, and for good reason. As a child, she’d been bitten by one and still had a scar on her thigh to prove it.

“I’ll walk to town, if need be,” she said.

His eyebrows shot up. “Walk?” He laughed. “Do you have an idea how long that would take you?”

Emily lifted her chin, eyes flashing. “I’m not getting on that horse!”

His jaw clenched. “Like it or not, you’re gonna have to learn to ride. As my wife, you’ll be expected to accompany me to the gospel mill,” he said, his uncompromising voice leaving no room for argument or even discussion. “We’ll also be expected to attend certain social affairs.”

She blinked. “What’s a gospel mill?” she asked.

Chase’s eyes widened. “You’re kiddin’, right? They don’t have places of worship in Boston?”

She drew in her breath. This married life was beginning to be more complicated than she’d imagined. Just figuring out the language was turning out to be a full-time job.

“We have churches in Boston,” she said. “And I made it clear there were certain things I would not do.”

“The only thing you made clear is that you would not share my bed.”

The mention of his bed unnerved her, but she refused to back down. “You can add horseback riding to the list.”

“I’ll do no such thing! Learning to ride is for your own good.”

She glared at him. “I agreed to your terms. It’s only fair that you agree to mine!”

“You agreed to playin’ your role in public.” His eyes blazed. “And that includes wearin’ my ring.”

She quickly covered her bare left hand with her right. “I-I—”

“Oh no!” He groaned and shushed her with a finger to his mouth. “Looks like we have company,” he said beneath his breath. He squinted against the sun. “I’m afraid you’re ’bout to meet my nosy neighbor, Mrs. Buttonwood.”

Recalling Big-Foot Harry’s warning, Emily followed Chase’s gaze to the horse heading their way.

Chase slipped a possessive arm around her shoulder. Startled, she looked up at him. “We’re newlyweds, remember?” he said and turned her to face their guest.

Even as she felt a pleasant jolt at his touch, Emily bristled at the ease with which he pretended their sham of a marriage was real.

“A new bride would be expected to smile,” he added, his warm breath tickling her ear. Heat that had nothing to do with the sun coursed through her veins. Fearing her knees would buckle, she steadied herself with a hand on the fence.

Mrs. Buttonwood brought her black gelding to a stop in front of them and dismounted. The horse stood a full head taller than Daisy.

Emily felt Chase squeeze her shoulder. Taking the hint, she swallowed her irritation and forced a smile.

Mrs. Buttonwood greeted her in kind. “I went to the house, and your housekeeper said I’d find you here.” She gave Emily a quick once-over. “Now aren’t you two the lovebirds?”