Chapter 4 - A ride with a lover

The garden was beaming with life in the early morning hours, which had quite the effect on Jenny's mood. There was no need in getting hung up on having lost the love of your husband when the day was filled with hopes and big plans.

Now the only thing she had to do was make sure that her husband saw her take a ride with this other man, whom Maia thought would make a fine lover.

With a few strong steps, Jenny carried herself through the garden with a demeanour that told the servants not to disturb her. She exited the garden, leading her onto a pavestone courtyard, where her horse was waiting for her next to her husband's Ferrari. As she got in the saddle, she considered for a moment whether she should allow her horse to kick the car – it didn't like cars much, so she could easily deny having had anything to do with the "accident". The only problem was that Jenny liked the Ferrari as well and that Ezra sometime allowed her to borrow it.

Maia ran out onto the courtyard before Jenny rode off. Maia waved her hand a little as she approached Jenny and the horse carefully, gesturing that Jenny should bend down.

"He will meet you in the park," Maia whispered in Jenny's ear, "he's the one with the crisp black hair, strong green eyes, and a lily in his jacket."

"And what is his name?" Jenny asked.

Maia blinked a couple of times, "eh, well, I didn't actually catch that. Sorry, Mrs."

Jenny sighed but just shook her head, "it's alright my girl – all that matters is his looks and skill after all, is it not?" she asked and winked at Maia before she rode off, leaving Maia with quite a perplexed expression on her face. Jenny rather thought she would enjoy this new bold version of herself.

The park was large and - as it was recovered for only a few powerful families – almost empty. You wouldn't risk running into someone this early in the day, but later on, it would be filled, as powerful people came here to make new connections, to get the latest gossip on their enemies, and to make powerful alliances by marrying of children to each other.

Jenny had never understood how the world could still function in such a way today. But in her circumstances, she would be taking every advantage of the system she could find. Her first advantage was the gossip. For even though the park was empty now, the first face would soon appear. Then the rumour that Jenny had been spotted with another man, alone in the park in the early hours of the day, would soon reach her husband.

Her horse – named Deer for some comedic reason, Ezra had found – entered the park, and they trotted quietly along the paths of the park, to the sound of birds chirping, leaves moving in the wind, and Deer's hooves against the dirt.

When they reached their favourite place – a lake with a bench in the sun and the best grass in the park – they stopped, and Jenny jumped out of the saddle to enjoy the quiet before riding around the park in search of her mysterious future lover. How stupid had it been of Maia not to arrange a meeting place…

"Excuse me," a dark voice interrupted her thoughts, and Jenny couldn't help but jump back, almost falling over Deer's hind leg. "I'm so sorry to have startled you," the man said and stepped closer, seemingly not minding that Deer was looking suspiciously at him. Perhaps pondering whether this man was as dangerous as a Ferrari.

"You are quite excused," Jenny said as she noticed his dark hair, green eyes, and the Lilly in his jacket. Maia had not been wrong: This was a very attractive man.

"Your maid told me, that I shouldn't have any trouble with enjoying your company," he said as his eyes glanced over Jenny, "and if I may be so bold as to say that if your personality is as enjoyable as your appearance, I think she was right."

Jenny couldn't help but laugh a little at this direct approach, "I do appreciate flatter, but might we start by introducing ourselves?"

He gave her an agreeing nod, "my name is Rowan, my lady." He bowed lightly, "at your service."

"No need for calling me lady, my name is Jenny." Their hands met in a formal greeting but simply calling it a handshake would have done it a disservice. Jenny felt an unknown feeling shoot through her from her hand up her arm and down the rest of her body.

"Would you like to join me for a ride?" He asked as their hands left each other and he gestured to his own horse, tied up to a tree a little away from where they stood.

Jenny looked at her watch – their timing was perfect. "I would love to." She walked over to Deer, Rowan following her to help her get in the saddle, "oh," jenny said, "I'm perfectly capable of getting on by myself, thank you very much."

Rowan nodded politely and walked over to untie his own horse.

Why did you say that Jenny thought to herself, as she watch Rowan from the saddle, have you entirely forgotten how to charm a man? To make him feel wanted and needed. Men are such simple creatures, yet she had entirely forgotten that she needed to appear weak to enhance the effect. Of course, she no longer had much use in being weak, as one cannot be weak when one is married. She had now learned that weakness in marriage leads to men being unfaithful. Jenny sighed but quickly regained her composure as Rowan trotted over to her on his horse.

They spent some time riding around the park, getting to know each other. Jenny learned that Rowan was passionate about painting, trying to create new art inspired by the styles of old church murals and the art of Michelangelo and the likes. This type of art, he informed, took a lot of money which was how he ended up being found by Maia in the midst of night. He didn't elaborate on this part, and Jenny didn't feel comfortable asking about it just yet.

It didn't take long before Jenny spotted the first person, she knew would spread rumours around the high society circles that her husband and she were part of, and they decided to leave the park.

They rode by small paths, designed to connect the park with the most important places, but before she arrived home, she bid farewell to Rowan. "I will be seeing you soon. I trust that Maia can contact you?"

"She can get in touch with me," Rowan confirmed.

"Alright, I don't think my husband should know about your connection to me at this moment," she said and added in her thoughts, that this would make the revenge that much better if Ezra went around pondering for a few months.

"As you wish," Rowan said and leaned towards her. His one hand let go of his horse and reached out towards her hand. He grabbed it gently and lifted it to his mouth, "Jenny," he finished his sentence as he kissed her hand.

Jenny could feel the sun on her face as she rode back home with a bright smile on her face. So far this revenge plan was very enjoyable.