out one of the duke’s nags.”
“Yes. Isn’t she a beauty! Mr. Rankin, the duke’s man-of-affairs, arranged for me to ride her while I am at Brynhaven. The man is kindness itself. I cannot think how I shall ever be able to repay him.”
One black eyebrow elevated slightly. “I am certain he will think of something. But be that as it may, I am happy to see you again, Miss Haliburton. May I join you in a ride?”
Emily surveyed him dubiously. He sounded entirely too polite to be trusted, considering his outrageous behavior of yesterday—and somehow this congenial mood made him appear even more dangerous than the mocking one he ‘d previously maintained.
” I don’t see how I can stop you,” she said bluntly.
“Thank you, ma’ am. Your graciousness is exceeded only by your sense of style. “His silver gaze lingered on the moss green fabric straining across her bosom.
“This is not actually my riding habit, but rather one my cousin discarded,” she explained self-consciously. Though why she should feel constrained to explain anything to this ratchety fellow, she had no idea.
He nodded. “I deduced as much. I take it the lady is somewhat less endowed than you.” He smiled, as if the mere act of curving his well-formed lips would make his daring remark less offensive. “Oh well, at least it is an improvement over that schoolroom uniform you wore yesterday.”
“Really, sir,” Emily said, bristling with resentment at his untoward rudeness.
“It is an exceptionally fine morning,” he remarked cheerfully before she could make a cutting retort and go about her business. “And I am in the mood for a bit of sport. Are you game for a race, Miss Haliburton—say to the tallest oak at the far side of the meadow?”
He took her by surprise. She didn’t know what to make of such a fellow. One minute he was insulting her; the next suggesting a friendly competition.
Obviously, the proper thing to do would be to give him the set-down he deserved and ride on. Still, she liked nothing better than a good race; the very thought of it heated her sporting blood to the boiling point.
She eyed the oak speculatively. The gray had speed but she could never match the stamina of the huge stallion. But then, at such a short distance, stamina might not be a factor.
“Afraid to accept my challenge, Miss Haliburton?” he asked when she remained silent. “You surprise me. I would never have taken you for a pudding-hearted miss.”
Emily’s temper flared. “Done, sir!” she declared, throwing both propriety and caution to the winds.
“And for the prize, the winner may ask anything, within reason, of the loser.”
Emily considered this carefully. “As long as I define ‘within reason,’” she agreed finally, knowing full well that just being alone in this isolated spot with such a man was scandalous enough without the added iniquity of a provocative wager. She wondered what her friend the village vicar would think if he could see her now.
For two-thirds of the sprint across the meadow, they rode neck and neck, although Emily could see that while the game little mare was pushed to her limits, the stallion merely loped along at his ease. He showed the gray his rump a safe distance from the goal, and the handsome rogue who rode him pulled him to and waited for Emily and the mare to catch up.
“A fool’s bet wagered; a fool’s game lost,” Emily admitted breathlessly as she approached the devilish-looking pair. “I should have known the little mare had no chance against your stallion.” Her cheeks were wind-blushed and her hair, loosened from its confining pins, fell like a mantle across her shoulders; she felt certain she must look a complete hoyden, but she couldn’t remember when she had felt so wonderfully, vitally alive. For some reason she couldn’t begin to understand, this annoying fellow had that effect on her. The truth was, she scarcely recognized herself when she was in his presence.
“So, what
“Yes. Isn’t she a beauty! Mr. Rankin, the duke’s man-of-affairs, arranged for me to ride her while I am at Brynhaven. The man is kindness itself. I cannot think how I shall ever be able to repay him.”
One black eyebrow elevated slightly. “I am certain he will think of something. But be that as it may, I am happy to see you again, Miss Haliburton. May I join you in a ride?”
Emily surveyed him dubiously. He sounded entirely too polite to be trusted, considering his outrageous behavior of yesterday—and somehow this congenial mood made him appear even more dangerous than the mocking one he ‘d previously maintained.
” I don’t see how I can stop you,” she said bluntly.
“Thank you, ma’ am. Your graciousness is exceeded only by your sense of style. “His silver gaze lingered on the moss green fabric straining across her bosom.
“This is not actually my riding habit, but rather one my cousin discarded,” she explained self-consciously. Though why she should feel constrained to explain anything to this ratchety fellow, she had no idea.
He nodded. “I deduced as much. I take it the lady is somewhat less endowed than you.” He smiled, as if the mere act of curving his well-formed lips would make his daring remark less offensive. “Oh well, at least it is an improvement over that schoolroom uniform you wore yesterday.”
“Really, sir,” Emily said, bristling with resentment at his untoward rudeness.
“It is an exceptionally fine morning,” he remarked cheerfully before she could make a cutting retort and go about her business. “And I am in the mood for a bit of sport. Are you game for a race, Miss Haliburton—say to the tallest oak at the far side of the meadow?”
He took her by surprise. She didn’t know what to make of such a fellow. One minute he was insulting her; the next suggesting a friendly competition.
Obviously, the proper thing to do would be to give him the set-down he deserved and ride on. Still, she liked nothing better than a good race; the very thought of it heated her sporting blood to the boiling point.
She eyed the oak speculatively. The gray had speed but she could never match the stamina of the huge stallion. But then, at such a short distance, stamina might not be a factor.
“Afraid to accept my challenge, Miss Haliburton?” he asked when she remained silent. “You surprise me. I would never have taken you for a pudding-hearted miss.”
Emily’s temper flared. “Done, sir!” she declared, throwing both propriety and caution to the winds.
“And for the prize, the winner may ask anything, within reason, of the loser.”
Emily considered this carefully. “As long as I define ‘within reason,’” she agreed finally, knowing full well that just being alone in this isolated spot with such a man was scandalous enough without the added iniquity of a provocative wager. She wondered what her friend the village vicar would think if he could see her now.
For two-thirds of the sprint across the meadow, they rode neck and neck, although Emily could see that while the game little mare was pushed to her limits, the stallion merely loped along at his ease. He showed the gray his rump a safe distance from the goal, and the handsome rogue who rode him pulled him to and waited for Emily and the mare to catch up.
“A fool’s bet wagered; a fool’s game lost,” Emily admitted breathlessly as she approached the devilish-looking pair. “I should have known the little mare had no chance against your stallion.” Her cheeks were wind-blushed and her hair, loosened from its confining pins, fell like a mantle across her shoulders; she felt certain she must look a complete hoyden, but she couldn’t remember when she had felt so wonderfully, vitally alive. For some reason she couldn’t begin to understand, this annoying fellow had that effect on her. The truth was, she scarcely recognized herself when she was in his presence.
“So, what
Similar Books
