A Ride in the Cold Winter Air
The winter air at Windsor Castle was sharp, biting with a crispness that made Philip draw a deep breath as he rode across the frost-covered grounds.
He had never been to this particular castle before this visit, but for some strange reason-he felt very much at home there.
A strange feeling as he had never truly felt that at peace with any place he had spent significant time at.
Could it have less to do with the place and more with a specific person residing there…
The early morning quiet wrapped around him, broken only by the rhythmic clip-clop of his horse’s hooves and the faint call of birds perched in the bare trees. Philip had always cherished the solitude of these early hours, a rare moment of peace in a life that often demanded much of him.
A moment alone with his private thoughts.
Just him and the earth.
As he cantered along the path, his thoughts inevitably turned toward Elizabeth. The image of her flashing in his mind from the night before. It had been five years since their last meeting at Dartmouth, a fleeting encounter that had left him intrigued, but still unsure of what to make of it.
In the time since, they had exchanged letters—polite, formal words that had truly showed her polite and reserved nature. The letters were, at times, friendly, but there was an underlying reserve to her tone, as though she was keeping her distance, unwilling to let her guard down. And he, for his part, had tried to respect her space, even if the pull between them remained undeniable.
But there was a subtle change in her, something Philip couldn't quite place. Elizabeth had always been the epitome of poise and propriety. But now, there was a hint of something more—an awareness, a maturity he hadn't anticipated. Something that drew him in, even as she still wore her crown of rules and decorum like armor.
For that very reason, when he spotted her ahead, riding alone through the frosty fields, his pulse quickened.
She was an image of grace, sitting tall and composed in the saddle, her back straight, her chin lifted in the dignified manner of a princess. And yet, there was something about her that seemed different—more self-assured, more... daring.
His heart skipped as he noticed the blue riding habit she wore, elegant yet understated, and yet the way it framed her figure was somehow more striking than he remembered.
She definitely did look different than he had remembered.
A smile crept across his face as he urged his horse forward.
Philip knew that this was exactly what he was not supposed to be doing. He needed to remind himself that regardless of what unexpected feelings or thoughts were begining to plague him...she was a princess-of course he knew that he too had been very high born, but there was a difference...and he was not naive enough to believe that their status difference would ever not matter.
He had to admit, the sight of her made his morning ride that much more enjoyable.
As he drew nearer, Elizabeth’s eyes met his, and for a brief, electrifying moment, neither of them spoke. It was the same look they had shared as children, that silent understanding, only now it carried a deeper layer of something unspoken. She gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, though her expression remained as composed as ever.
“Philip” she said, her voice cool but with a hint of warmth that made him smile even more. “What a surprise.”
She too had felt it.
That inexplicable connection that they seemed to share.
If she was to be completely honest, it brought her a bit of fear.
Elizabeth had always known what her parents expected of her. After all, her calm and trusting personality was the main reason why they had so much trust in her, but this situation was bringing out a different side of her. She didn't understand why, but Philip's closeness was something she knew she needed to avoid at all costs.
And yes, there she was.
“You... out at such early hours” Philip replied smoothly, his tone teasing, yet somehow softer than he intended. “I must admit, I pictured you tucked away inside somewhere, in the comfort of your palace…or at least accompanied by a chaperone.”
Her smile was faint but genuine, though there was a flicker of something in her eyes—something like a challenge, or perhaps curiosity. “I cannot say I am surprised to see you out so early…you’ve always enjoyed the outdoors” she said with a raised brow “But I suppose, it’s not surprising…you always did have a desire for testing the limits, though I shouldn’t ask why you find yourself picturing me anywhere”
Philip’s lips quirked.
She had caught him.
“Feeling particularly investigatory?” he asked jokingly. “ Still the proper one ?” He leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering as if sharing a secret. “I thought for sure you'd grown bored of being the perfect princess by now. Not that I blame you, of course.”
A hint of mischief played at the edges of her smile, though her gaze remained steady. “And I thought you’d have outgrown your penchant for being so insurgent” she countered, tilting her chin up just a fraction. “But I suppose some things never change.”
Philip chuckled, the sound rich with amusement. “I suppose some things don’t” he agreed. “But there is definitely much that does change over time, wouldn’t you agree?”
Elizabeth’s smile faltered slightly, as though the suggestion was just a little too close to the truth. “Perhaps” she said, her voice cool, but the playful glint in her eyes betrayed her words. “But I suppose that is mostly how it goes, everything changes with time”
“I suppose so, we may just have to see how much has changed in the past few years?” Philip said with a teasing grin. “you were always the dutiful-quiet-one”
Elizabeth’s eyes flickered with something, a mixture of both defensiveness and a glimmer of humor. “I was young and naive then,” she said carefully, a little too quickly “I’ve learned since then.”
Philip couldn’t help himself. He leaned a little closer, his voice just above a whisper. “Learned to follow more rules, no doubt.” He paused, his gaze never leaving hers. “But you can’t tell me you never thought about breaking them. Just a little bit?”
Her blush deepened at the question, though she quickly masked it with a laugh that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “I think you underestimate me lieutenant mountbatten” She straightened in the saddle, trying to regain her composure. “I’ve grown up .”
“And yet, I wonder” Philip said, drawing out the words slowly, deliberately, “if there’s a little mischief in you. A little temptation to... stray from the path of righteousness. Just a little.”
Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat at the insinuation. She wanted to deny it, to laugh it off, but she could see the challenge in his eyes, the teasing grin that dared her to say something, anything, to contradict him.
“I have responsibilities” she said, her voice a little quieter, though still firm. “I can’t afford to be... reckless”
Philip smirked, leaning back in his saddle, his eyes scanning her carefully. “You never know—sometimes breaking the rules can make life more... exciting.”
His eyes lingered on her, and for a moment, the space between them seemed charged, thick with unsaid words and the weight of their shared history.
Elizabeth swallowed, a mix of emotions swirling in her chest. She couldn’t deny the way his words affected her, the way his presence seemed to fill the air with electricity. There had always been something about Philip—something that pulled at her, that made her want to laugh and cry and be frustrated all at once.
But she was no longer that young girl, the one who had followed his lead without question. She had learned the importance of rules, of duty. And yet, a part of her—the part that had once laughed and dared with him—was still there, hidden beneath layers of royal expectation.
The girl he had tried to bring out of her shell so long ago.
“I think...you’re just trying to make me forget my responsibilities” she said, a teasing smile curving her lips “But I’m afraid you’ll have to try harder than that.”
Philip’s grin deepened, and he couldn’t help himself.
“Oh, I intend to” he murmured, his voice low and playful. “But I must warn you, Elizabeth. It’s far more tempting to break the rules when you’ve had a small taste of what fun it may bring”
Her heart fluttered in her chest, though she refused to let it show. She met his gaze with a coolness that she didn’t quite feel. “We’ll see” she said softly. “that is... if you can tempt me.”
His eyes sparkled with mischief, and he gave her a lazy smile. “Oh, I think I can.”
With that, he turned his horse, but not before giving her one last, lingering glance. There was a promise in his eyes—a promise that he wouldn’t give up, that he wouldn’t let her forget.
And as he rode away, Elizabeth couldn’t help but feel the weight of his gaze on her, the stir of something familiar and dangerous.
Something that might just pull her back toward that very mischief, if only for a moment that she had felt brewing in the letters they had once exchanged.
She needed to stay away from him.
She had a job to do. She would one day be queen of the very land they stood on.
It wasn’t something she could so easily throw away.
Maybe avoiding him for the trip would be the best course of action.