"Sugar, I admit I was havin' a li'l fun with you earlier when I suggested it. You're jus' gonna hafta forgive me for that. It's your first time ridin', an' I genuinely don't wanna hurt you. So let's start with the trot, then we'll see 'bout the canter."

She doesn't want to bruise his ego, either. But for all her harrying him and being a tease, she does take the safety of her stock and her students seriously. So she's firm on this, imploring blue eyes devoid of their typical taunting spark.

She brings Rachat up on Duncan's left side, and her expression softens.

"An' if it makes a lick of difference, y'didn't make an ass outta yourself by my reckonin'. I might'a been havin' some fun with you, but y'were laughin' an' pokin' fun right back. That's all I was hopin' for."