by Kim Bowman
She took a step closer to the stallion, raised her other hand to his neck, and stroked. “What a beautiful creature you are. He’s an amazing horse, your grace.”
“Why, thank you, Annabella. I was not aware you were knowledgeable in matters of horseflesh.” The girl’s graceful fingers moved up and down the horse’s neck and head in a way that caused Grey’s body to stir beneath his irritation. He shifted and directed his gaze at Satan’s twitching ears. “If you are quite finished fawning over my stallion, I’d like for his training to resume.”
Her hands halted. “Please don’t, your grace. He really doesn’t like it.” She glanced toward the barn, where Arden worked tying rope around a wooden pole. “And he doesn’t trust the trainer.”
Grey clenched his jaw, refusing to acknowledge she’d just put voice to his very thoughts. After a few moments with the beast she dared tell him what was best. It mattered not one whit that he was beginning to agree with her. He’d never give her the satisfaction of being right. “Miss Price, no horse likes training to pull a carriage. Now if you will excuse me, unless of course you think you can do better.”
The girl shook her head. “Oh no, I couldn’t… only… I would at least ask the horse what he wants.”
Grey looked at the girl slack-jawed. Ask the horse indeed. Giving her an exaggerated bow, he said, “Well, my lady, by all means, ask the horse.”
He could only watch, astounded, as Annabella, for want of a better name, moved in front of the stallion and took the lines the groom was holding. The startled man looked to Grey for permission.
Grey only shrugged.
“Thank you. Now, if you would be so kind as to move back.” She smiled again.
The groom’s eyes bulged and he once more silently glanced at Grey. Grey inclined his head. Clyde shrugged but backed away from the girl and stallion.
“Thank you, Clyde.”
Without giving him a chance to reply or Grey a chance to object, his uninvited houseguest walked toward the fence with Satan, apparently so they could have a private conversation.
From the corner of his eye he saw Arden drop the wood and stalk toward them, brows furrowed together. “What does she think she’s doing? She has no business handling such an unruly beast.”
Grey leveled his gaze on the man. “She accomplished more with the stallion in five minutes than you have been able to do in the time you’ve been training him. So I am beginning to wonder why I should continue to pay for your services.”
Arden paled. “I-I’m sorry, your grace. Perhaps we should take the winkers off so that the horse can see—”
Grey stopped paying attention to Arden because the maybe-Annabella had climbed up on the fence.
“What is she—”
He broke off on a curse. The young woman looped the reins around the stallion’s neck and positioned him so his side was flush with the rails. Then she slowly hooked her right leg around one of the metal loops that served as a guide for the reins, all the while stroking the skittish horse. Before Grey could take another breath, she gripped a handful of mane and ever so gently settled herself on Satan’s back as though riding a sidesaddle.
Grey’s heart dropped to his stomach. Satan snorted and stomped his foot. But the girl merely tightened the reins slightly and spoke to the animal in soothing tones. The horse nodded his head up and down but took no steps.
“Foolish chit. That horse will throw her and break her neck,” said Arden.
Frightened out of his mind, Grey wanted to throttle the girl. But when he stepped forward, the groom took his arm.
“Please, your grace, don’t move. You could spook ‘im and get her hurt.”
The groom was right. Grey swallowed against the emotion in his throat and spoke quietly. “Get down this instant.”
The chit had the nerve to smile at him and then cluck to the horse, who moved off. Grey nearly fell over dead, certain his heart must have stopped beating. Satan could easily hurt her. All Grey could do was watch helplessly.
“What the — that thoughtless — Clyde, bring me Adair now!”
Groom and trainer both stood motionless, staring after the horse and girl.
“Clyde, move!” snapped Grey.
“Sorry, your grace. Right away.” He scurried to the barn and returned within seconds leading the brown gelding. “Just let me tighten his saddle…”
Grey grabbed the reins. “Hurry, man.”
The stallion was still walking and seemed to be responding quite well to his rider, but they were nearing the street and he still had on the bridle with winkers and couldn’t see. The girl had very little control over the animal riding without a proper saddle, so if he spooked, she would most definitely fall off and be seriously injured.
The groom scurried out of the way and Grey mounted Adair. He set off at a trot after the pair, determined to break his supposed stepsister’s scrawny neck when he got her off his stallion. As Grey moved closer to them, Satan picked up his pace and sidestepped. Bile rose in Grey’s throat as he pictured the stallion throwing his guest. To his surprise, she talked to Satan while stroking his neck and the horse quickly settled down, although he still seemed a little unsure of what was happening.
“Listen, I’m going to ride up beside you and you’re going to hand me those reins and hop over behind me.”
“I’m sorry, your grace, I can’t do that. I fear he wouldn’t like me riding another horse.”
Grey let out a string of curses. “I’m not asking, I’m ordering you to get off that horse this instant.”
Satan pinned his ears and picked up his pace. The girl again ran her hand along his neck and whispered in a soothing manner then gently pulled back on the reins. The horse relaxed within seconds.
”You know, I think we should ride through Hyde Park. What say you, your grace? Care to go for a ride?”
”No, I most certainly do not,” he said through gritted teeth. “And I will skin you when I get you off that horse.”
“Then perhaps I shall stay on his back forever,” she teased. When she turned her tawny gaze in Grey’s direction, his heart leapt into his throat at the mirthful light there.
“Please. This has gone on quite long enough,” Grey said in a softer, pleading voice.
She sighed. “I suppose our fun has come to an end, Satin.” She turned the horse with ease and headed back to the livery.
Grey let out the breath he’d been holding and followed her. “Satin? The horse’s name is Satan.”
Her slender fingers caressed the animal’s neck. “I have to respectfully disagree with you, your grace. His coat is soft and smooth like satin. And he’s very sweet.”
Grey’s hand tightened on Adair’s reins briefly. “Sweet, phst. You would not think so had you seen him before he was tired from training.”
They reached the stable and she pulled on the reins, stopping the stallion. Grey dismounted and handed Adair off to the waiting groom. Satan was slightly agitated when the other horse was lead away and his rider wouldn’t allow him to follow and kicked out with his back leg then gave a little buck. She tapped him on the rump and said, “Whoa!” in a stern voice.
The horse tensed and Grey’s heart beat wildly. Satan was going to throw her. Any moment now, she would be nothing but a pile of bones on the ground, bloodied beneath the stud’s merciless hooves.
Arden hastened nearer.
“Please stay back, Mr. Arden. I don’t want to get you hurt.”
Was she insane? The stallion was building up steam to throw her. Grey moved to the horse’s side. “Get off. Now!”
“Not until he settles down.”
She tightened her hold on the lines and again said, “Whoa!” Satan just stomped and wouldn’t stand still. Finally she pulled the slack up on one side of the rein and spun him in a tight circle, with his nose almost touching her leg. Grey jumped back to keep from being knocked down. Pink muslin and sweaty bay hide flashed around in tight circles once, twice, then once more. She released the rein, and S
atan settled, his head falling forward, relaxed.
The girl leaned over and patted the horse’s neck. “Now, that’s a good boy.” She collected the reins in her right hand along with a fistful of his mane, twisted her body so she faced the stallion, and clutched the back of the harness with her left hand. Then she slid down. The pale pink dress caught on a length of leather and rose to an indecent level. Grey caught the vague shape of her knee and hastily averted his eyes to where the trainer stared goggle-eyed, his mouth hanging open.
“Arden, take the horse,” Grey fairly growled.
Startled, the trainer rushed forward and took the reins, making an obvious attempt to look anywhere but at the young woman. Finally, he managed to catch hold of the reins and led the horse away.
With rage driven by thoughts of the likely imposter’s bloodied body being pounded beneath the horse’s hooves, Grey stalked forward and grabbed the little instigator by the arms. “You stupid girl, you could have been injured or killed. What possessed you to take such a risk with yourself — or my horse?”
Irritation sparked in her eyes and she tried to jerk free of his hold. “You gave me permission.”
Tension rose from his fingers where they gripped her and fluttered along Grey’s arms. He squeezed lightly. “I said you could talk to him, not ride him.”
“Well, riding him was talking to him.” She tossed her head and those glorious curls glinted gold in the sunlight. “He did splendidly, too. I told you he didn’t li—”
“Enough!” Grey bellowed, aware of the livery manager regarding the altercation from the stable doorway, yet also beyond caring. “What you did was foolish and irresponsible. Had the horse not been tired from training, he most certainly would have thrown you. Not only did you put yourself in danger, but you endangered the stallion as well.”
Her cheeks burned crimson and her nostrils flared. “Of all the — I’m sorry if I embarrassed you by getting the horse to perform better than you did, your grace. How foolish of me to show you up.”
He tightened his hold on her shoulders again and shook her. “Stop it. Just stop it. Do not now insult me, on top of everything else.”
“Insult you?” she screeched, trying to tug herself from his grasp once more. “Oh!” With eyes that spat fire, she glared at him. Then her lips pulled upward in a calculated smile that never reached her eyes. Before he gathered her intent, she drew her right foot back and lashed out with it, connecting solidly against the outside of his leg with the point of her shoe.
He howled in pain and grabbed his ankle. His hold broken, she ran off. Grey cursed and straightened, unable to believe what had just occurred. The chit had actually had the impudence to kick him.
“Are you hurt, your grace?” Clyde asked, hurrying out of the livery.
Without tempering his impatience, Grey waved him back. At least the livery’s manager had taken his leave from the doorway. “I’m fine, Clyde. I think we will call it a day.”
“Right, your grace.” The man hesitated before adding, “She was amazing, weren’t she, your grace? Why, she reminds me of them corky magpies near me old home in the country. And she were right about the bay hatin’ the cart. Why, I bet—”
Grey jerked his head up and glared.
Clyde shifted uncomfortably on his feet. “Forgive me, your grace. I didn’t mean to speak out of turn.”
Sucking in a long breath, Grey blew it through pursed lips while he considered recent events. “Yes, Clyde, she was amazing, as much as it pains me to admit it. But what she did was unwise.”
“Of course, your grace.”
Grey raked his hands through his hair and cursed. “Please inform Mr. Arden that I shall be taking over the training of the stallion and he is not to touch the horse unless I am here.”
“Yes, your grace,” said the groom.
“Tomorrow then, Clyde.”
“Thank you, your grace.”
Eager to get home Grey stomped off, ignoring the throbbing in his ankle. But he hadn’t even left the livery’s yard when Clyde called out from behind hm.
“Your grace, the dog. Do ye think ye should take the dog, your grace?”
Grey rolled his eyes and retrieved the beast. Percy was sprawled out on his side, snoring loudly. “Come on, you lazy cur.”
The dog jumped up and growled.
“Have a mind for my ankle, you mongrel. I am already wearing a bruise, I do not wish to add a dog bite. Come along, then.”
“Your grace!” called the groom once more.
Impatient now, Grey whirled, a snarl on his lips. “What is it, Clyde?”
The groom held up the white muslin and lace shawl his houseguest had worn earlier. “The lady left this behind, your grace.”
No! I will not traipse through London carrying that infuriating chit’s blasted wrap! Let her return and retrieve it herself.
The shawl fluttered on the breeze, almost as though it beckoned to him. A light floral scent clung to the wrap and wafted up to tease his nostrils through the more barn-like airs. Gritting his teeth, Grey snatched the length of fabric from Clyde’s hands without a word. His lip curled and he suppressed a growl as he bunched the wrap into as small a bundle as possible. With his attempt to ignore the cool softness of the muslin between his fingers only marginally successful, he stalked toward his home, irritation and anger increasing with each step.
The girl had thoughtlessly endangered herself and the horse, as well as himself and the groom. Grey had every right to be upset. Yet instead of apologizing, she had acted as if he had been in the wrong. Insulted him. Even kicked him.
Kicked him! Apparently, biting was not enough of an affront these days.
He puffed out a breath. She’d terrified him, he had to admit. His anger had come from the vision of the likely false-Annabella being trampled beneath the horse’s heavy hooves. The mental picture put a spark to his rage again and he kicked a pebble out of his path.
He was a man who wasn’t used to being struck motionless by fear, and so had been harder on her than probably he should have been because of it. Well, if she thought him harsh before, when he got to the townhouse, she would think him merciless.
If he ever made it home. He gave an impatient yank on the leash of the slowly plodding dog, eliciting a growl. He was beginning to think he would have to carry the blasted brute.
After what seemed an eternity, he crossed the threshold into the foyer. As he tossed the leash to the butler, he scanned the area for his quarry. It was past time the chit learned respect for the rules. He swept the foyer with his gaze. Of course, the brat was nowhere to be seen.
Smart girl. Well, she cannot hide for long.
He slapped his gloves against his thigh and trotted up the first few steps of the main staircase just as Lady Harmony glided down. She gave her somewhat tousled hair a final pat into place and then rearranged the neckline of her elegant blue dress.
“Good day, your grace.” Her face brightened and she gave him a smile as she started to pass.
“Madam, are you aware that it is unacceptable for a young lady to be traipsing up and down the streets without a chaperone?”
She faltered, nearly tumbled down the last stairs, then stiffened her spine and straightened. Her cheeks turned scarlet and she tightened her lips into a thin line. “I’m perfectly aware of what is acceptable behavior, your grace.”
“Then mayhap you can explain to me why your — er, niece was at the stable without an escort.” He shoved the muslin shawl he carried into a surprised Harmony’s hands and then stood with his legs spread, his arm folded across his chest while he awaited her answer.
She furrowed her brows together and tipped her head sideways. “Weren’t you at the livery, your grace?”
Taken aback by her question, Grey jerked backward a half-step. “Yes.”
Lady Harmony leaned sideways as if to look behind him. Then she glanced at the door, over the railing in the dim foyer, and back at him. “Where is she now, your grace?”
&nbs
p; The ticking behind his eye started again, and Grey tightened the grip on his gloves to keep from jabbing his fist in it. He counted to three to keep from throttling the old woman. “I do not have the slightest idea where your niece has gotten herself to. She ran off and I ha—”
Lady Harmony’s eyes bulged. “You let her out of your sight? Allowed her to wander off without accompanying her? Honestly, your grace, it appears you are the one who needs a lesson in propriety and decorum. You know a young girl should not walk the streets alone. It isn’t at all proper.” She tsked and continued her graceful glide down the stairs, shaking her head and muttering. “That will never do… never do at all.”
Grey’s mouth fell open as the maddening woman walked away from him. His mind refused to process what had just happened. Lady Harmony actually had the audacity to reprimand him for her supposed niece’s actions and for her and Lady Charity’s inability to control the wild hoyden. The chit had already enraged him by running off, now her aunt had scolded him for the girl’s improper behavior.
He wheeled about. Miss Price would receive the set-down she deserved, as would her inept aunts.
Higgins hovered in the foyer. As Grey opened his mouth to demand that the butler find his stepsister, the front door was slowly pushed inward. Ah! Perhaps the little imposter had found him. Grey marched over and jerked it open.
His secretary flinched and dropped an armload of books to the landing. “I-I’m sorry, your grace.” Petry stooped and began gathering the scattered volumes.
His anger somewhat deflated, Grey bent to help. “I apologize for startling you. I thought you were someone else.”
“Not to worry, your grace. I apologize for my early arrival, but I was on an errand for Lady Charity.”
As he handed the books to his secretary and assisted the man to his feet, Grey frowned at the titles. “Pride and Prejudice?” He plucked the book from the tall stack Petry now held and opened the cover. Turning the pages, he began to read. Distaste flooded his mouth. A single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.