by Monica Burns
“Good morning,” Anna called out cheerfully as she crossed the pebbled driveway toward her. “You’re an early bird.”
“I’m looking forward to our ride this morning.” Victoria smiled at the other woman. There was something warm and considerate about Anna, and she found herself thinking that at any other point in time they could be friends. As the viscountess stopped next to her, she tipped her head to one side.
“Did you sleep well?” Anna asked with a slight frown.
“Yes.” The moment the lie passed her lips, Victoria saw a dubious expression cross Anna’s features.
“As bad as that?” the other woman said sympathetically.
“Yes,” she admitted with a sigh. Anna reached out and squeezed her arm in a reassuring manner.
“There’s nothing to fear. You’re among friends.”
“Am I?” she murmured.
Victoria’s gaze drifted to Nicholas’ tall form. He was having a discussion with one of the groomsmen, and her heart skipped a beat as she remembered how close she’d come to having sex with the man. If her headaches didn’t kill her, hiding her attraction from him would do the trick.
“Don’t let Nicholas intimidate you. He’s very good at that,” Anna said firmly as she glanced over Victoria’s shoulder. “Aren’t you Nicholas?”
“Good at what?” There was the hint of a smile in his voice, but when Victoria looked at him, his expression was unreadable.
“Intimidation.” Anna laughed.
“I never intimidate. I simply have expectations that people should meet.” The teasing smile he unleashed on Anna made Victoria suck in a quick breath. God help her if he ever looked at her like that.
“Is Eleanor not riding with us this morning?” Anna looked around at the small group on the driveway.
“I am afraid Eleanor remembered a previous engagement. She returned to London early this morning, She begged everyone’s forgiveness for her hasty departure.”
Victoria’s eyes widened, and she looked at Anna. The other woman turned her head away and coughed. Even on short acquaintance, she’d learned how to tell when Anna was laughing. Nicholas narrowed his eyes at the two of them, but didn’t say anything as his hand cupped Victoria’s elbow and drew her away from Anna.
Electricity streaked through her making it difficult to breathe until Nicholas released her as they stopped in front of a placid looking mare. The animal nuzzled his shoulder as though expecting a treat. In response, Nicholas retrieved a piece of apple from his coat pocket and offered it to the horse. Enjoying his interaction with the solid looking bay, Victoria rubbed the mare’s nose.
“What’s her name?”
“Desert Wind,” he answered with a small twist of his lips as though enjoying a private joke. “You’re not nervous about riding are you? The mare won’t give you any trouble, but if you wish to beg off—”
“No, I’m good,” she said tightly. “Does she like to run?”
When he didn’t answer, Victoria turned her head toward him and caught the perplexed expression in his eyes. His puzzlement dissolved into amusement as his gaze met hers, and his smile sent her senses reeling. The tremor passing through her made her quickly stiffen her shoulders to hide the shudder.
“Run?” A wicked chuckle escaped his lips. “On occasion.”
Nicholas didn’t elaborate before he walked away to look after his guests. Victoria bit her lip pensively. Something was wrong. The man was far too pleased with himself. Convinced it had to do with the horse he’d selected for her, Victoria glanced over her shoulder. With a silent gesture, she beckoned to one of the stable hands. The boy sprang forward quickly.
“Yes, my lady.” He removed his cap from his head in a gesture of respect and bowed slightly. Victoria stroked the mare’s velvety nose as she smiled at him.
“What’s your name?”
“Mickey, my lady.”
“Do you think you could find me a horse that’s a bit more spirited, Mickey?”
“I’m not sure that’s wise, my lady. His lordship gave orders you were to ride Desert Wind here. She’s an easy goer.”
“I see.” Victoria’s jaw tightened with irritation. She understood Nicholas’ refusal to believe her story, but she didn’t like being patronized either with his choice of mounts. “I’m sure his lordship means well, but I can easily handle a more spirited animal.”
“Well, there’s Mischief, my lady. I was keeping him around the corner in case one of the gents was dissatisfied with their choice of mounts,” the boy said thoughtfully. “But I have to warn you, he can be a handful.”
“He sounds perfect,” she said with a smile. Mickey grinned.
“Let me put your saddle on him, it won’t take but a moment.”
“I’ll come with you.”
With the small mare in tow, Victoria followed the young stable hand around the corner of the manor’s front portico, which jutted outward from the two wings of the house. It created a shield from the others, and prevented Nicholas from realizing what she was doing. Tied to a hitching post, a magnificent roan stallion tossed his head in a spirited manner.
“He’s beautiful,” she breathed.
“Aye, that he is, my lady.”
Pleased with her reaction, the boy grinned and quickly set about changing saddles. Mickey had tightened the girth strap on Mischief just as she heard the others calling her name. Hands locked together, Mickey formed a single step for her to use in mounting the stallion. As she settled into the odd saddle, Victoria tried to figure out where her legs and feet should be placed.
“Are you sure you shouldn’t ride Desert Wind, your ladyship?”
Concern crossing his features, the young stable hand frowned. Victoria shook her head as she figured out that her right leg needed to overlap the saddle horn. She quickly slipped her feet into the stirrups then adjusted her riding habit.
“Don’t worry, Mickey. I’ll be fine. It’s been a while since I rode side saddle,” she fibbed.
She heard Nicholas shout her name, and with a soft laugh she winked at Mickey then urged Mischief forward with a slight nudge of her heel. Silence greeted Victoria as she rode out from around the portico. With the exception of Anna, everyone stared at her with a dumbstruck expression. Victoria’s stomach lurched slightly as she wondered whether it had been a mistake to do something so unlike the woman she had no choice but to impersonate. Nicholas was the first to overcome his surprise.
“Mickey.”
The roar of anger in that one word made Victoria flinch. She glanced over her shoulder to see the stable hand come running from around the portico. Fear on his face, the stable hand took his cap off and bobbed his head.
“Yes, my lord.”
“What the hell is the countess doing on that animal?” Fury blistered through the quiet spoken question. Mickey paled in the face of Nicholas’ wrath, and Victoria maneuvered her horse so it stood between the boy and Nicholas.
“Mickey was following my orders. Even if he’d refused to do as I asked, I would have changed the saddles without his help.”
“Get off that horse, Victoria. He’s too high-strung for you to handle.” The harsh command made her roll her eyes at him.
“More temperamental than Desert Wind you mean.”
“This has gone far enough, madam. I chose the mare because she won’t bolt or throw you,” he bit out in a low voice. For an odd reason, the thought that he’d been concerned for her well-being warmed her inside.
“I appreciate that, but I’m more than capable of managing Mischief.”
“Damn it to hell. Get off that horse right now, Victoria.”
“No.” At her firm rebellion, he narrowed his gaze at her.
“I’ll not tell you again, Victoria. Get off that damn horse, now.” Despite the low, menacing note in his voice, Victoria met his furious gaze without flinching and smiled.
“Or what?” she inquired sweetly.
“Or I’ll remove you myself,” he growled with a ferocity that
made her realize being the focus of his anger wasn’t a good thing. Nicholas urged his stallion forward and leaned down to capture Mischief’s bridle. Glaring at him, she sent Mischief prancing sideways with a slight touch of the reins before Nicholas had a chance to grab the bridle.
“I think that might be more difficult that you think, my lord,” she said defiantly before she maneuvered Mischief away from him until Anna’s horse stood between her and Nicholas’ stallion. At the scowl on Nicholas’ face, Anna smiled mischievously at him and then Victoria.
“It appears everyone has a mount, shall we be off?” Anna said as she prodded her horse forward and away from the manor. She clearly knew where she was going, and Victoria drew alongside her. The other woman looked over her shoulder then back to Victoria. “He’s angry because he’s quite bewildered by you.”
“I doubt he’s as confused as I am,” Victoria said as she kept her gaze focused on the gently rolling landscape they were riding toward.
“It must be terribly hard to feel as though you’re all alone in the world.” The soft words made her jerk her head in Anna’s direction.
“I’m not sure what you mean,” she said as she looked away from the other woman’s assessing gaze.
“Victoria, I have a…special ability,” Anna said softly and looked over her shoulder as if to ensure no one else could hear her. “When you shook hands with me yesterday, I knew you weren’t Vickie. I also know how frightened you are, and you shouldn’t be.”
The woman’s words thundered through Victoria’s head. Anna knew she wasn’t the countess. Fear scraped across her nerve endings. She’d denied being the countess from the time she’d woken up in Goodman Cottage, but no one had believed her. Now Anna had just said she wasn’t the countess. Did the woman intend to expose her as an imposter?
“Victoria, please, you’re in no danger,” Anna said fervently.
Despite Anna’s attempt to reassure her, Victoria’s heartbeat thundered in her ears. If Anna knew the truth, how long would it take others to realize she wasn’t the countess? The moment people learned she wasn’t the countess they’d start asking questions. Questions she couldn’t answer. And unanswered questions meant suspicion and a lot worse.
Nausea twisted her stomach as she stared blindly at the landscape in front of her. If only she could wake up from this nightmare. She just wanted to go home. Without a second thought, Victoria urged Mischief forward into a canter and then a hard gallop. The cold wind lashed at her cheeks, but all she could think about was freedom. Ahead of her, she saw a low brick wall. Just before the stone barrier, the stallion gathered himself, easily clearing the hurdle.
Her inexperience riding sidesaddle unbalanced her for a moment as the horse landed on the opposite side. It took only a brief second to adjust her seat as the stallion pounded toward a tall hedge. Leaning forward, her cheek close to the animal’s neck, Victoria felt Mischief’s powerful muscles flex beneath her. The animal leaped up into the air and soared across the shrubbery as if he had wings.
Open pastureland stretched out in front of them, and Mischief’s stride never hesitated at any of the barriers they approached. With effortless ease, he rose up and over every hurdle in his path. She had no idea where she was going. All she could think about was escape. Behind her she heard a shout. She glanced over her shoulder, and saw Nicholas gaining ground on her. He’d make her go back. There would be questions, and she wouldn’t know how to answer them.
Frantically, she urged the big horse to increase his pace. They sailed over fence after fence when out of the corner of her eye, she saw Nicholas coming alongside her. Hooves thundering against the ground beneath them, the two stallions raced neck and neck toward a wall of gray stones. A second later, both horses sailed over the wall with Nicholas landing close beside her.
Before she could bat his hand away, he had hold of Mischief’s cheekpiece bringing the stallion to a slow halt. The moment the horses were standing still, Nicholas grabbed her by the waist and lifted her off Mischief. Physically spent from the hard ride, Victoria didn’t protest as he dropped her unceremoniously in his lap. She knew he was angry, but being in his arms felt as if she’d come home. It was an odd sensation, and Victoria brushed it aside.
“I ought to thrash you for such a fool stunt,” he bit out as he grabbed Mischief’s reins.
“What fool stunt?” Victoria shook her head knowing exactly what he meant.
“Your insistence on riding the damn horse.” His mouth thinned with anger. “If Mischief had thrown you at that fast pace, you could have been killed.”
“It wasn’t a stunt. I told you I know how to ride,” she said with an exasperated sigh.
“Whether you can or not, you chose to ride a horse that would test even my skill.”
Despite his censure, she heard a distinct note of puzzlement in his voice. The pounding of hoof beats made Victoria turn her head toward the sound. Sebastian and Charles were the first to reach them, and the two men appeared deeply concerned.
“Is she all right?” Sebastian asked.
“I’m fine.” Victoria glared at Anna’s husband.
“From her waspish tone, I think we can safely assume she suffered no injuries.”
The wry note in Nicholas’ voice made Victoria look up at him. Amusement curved his lips slightly as he arched his eyebrows at her. Something flickered in his green-eyed gaze that made her heart beat faster. God, if the man turned up the charm dial, last night would be a simple heat wave compared to the inferno she was certain he would unleash inside her. More hoof beats echoed in her ear, and the remainder of the party surrounded them. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Mickey, his face pale and drawn, bringing Desert Wind to a halt a few feet away. Immediately the air was buzzing with a cacophony of questions and comments.
“How is she?” the Viscount Palmerton asked with concern as he looked at Nicholas. Irritated that the man hadn’t simply asked her, Victoria started to answer the question but was forestalled from doing so by other voices.
“I say, you were quite lucky, Victoria,” Charles Barrows exclaimed.
“Oh, my dear, we were so worried. Are you all right?” Catherine gasped with concern. Eyes wide with horror, the viscountess leaned forward in her saddle. “How on earth did you manage to keep your seat on a runaway horse?”
“Mischief didn’t—”
“Thank god, you’re all right, Victoria,” Anna interrupted her with a warning look in her direction. “I thought the worst when Mischief shied then bolted away. Nicholas, you should take Victoria back to the house immediately. She’s clearly exhausted from such a terrifying ride.”
When she opened her mouth to protest, Anna’s look made Victoria realize it was best to remain quiet to avoid any further suspicion. It was also true she was weary from the ride. The roan stallion had tested her skill and strength, and her arms ached from controlling the horse. Not to mention the fact that she had the beginnings of another headache. She glanced up at Nicholas who eyed her with curiosity, and Victoria looked away.
“I think I would like to lie down for a while,” she murmured. “I’m sure Mischief will be quite sedate on the way back.”
The air was abruptly filled with objections, except for the man holding her in his arms. When she tilted her head to look up at Nicholas, he eyed her with an autocratic expression of disapproval.
“You will not ride Mischief again,” he said loud enough for everyone to hear before he bent his head and lowered his voice. “Ever. Is that clear.”
The determination in his gaze dared Victoria to argue with him, but she was too tired to object. She nodded and remained silent as he lifted his head to look at his guests.
“I’ll return Victoria to the house, while the rest of you finish your ride.” Although his words were met with protests from the others, Victoria was relieved when he waved them into silence. “I insist. Victoria and I will take our time returning, and by the time you return to the manor, breakfast will be ready and waiting.”
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The riding party continued to protest, but Nicholas refused to be swayed. With great reluctance, the small group of riders cantered away while Mickey remained on the horse Nicholas had originally selected for her.
“My lord, I should have—”
“All that matters, Mickey, is that her ladyship wasn’t harmed. However, in the future, the countess is not to ride Mischief again. Do I make myself clear?” At his quiet, yet firm words, the stable hand nodded his head vigorously.
“Yes, my lord,” he said with a look of relief on his face. Mickey looked at her, “I am sorry, my lady.”
“You have nothing to apologize for, Mickey.” She smiled at the boy and was relieved to see him grin back.
“Take Mischief back to the house,” Nicholas ordered quietly as he handed the stallion’s reins to the boy. Mickey accepted the horse’s leather leads then urged Desert Wind into a canter with Mischief trailing behind him. As the boy rode away, Nicholas nudged Zeus forward in a slow walk along the stone fence. Silence hung between them for several minutes before Nicholas spoke.
“You were frightened,” he observed quietly.
“No, I wasn’t,” she said emphatically. “I know how to ride, and Mischief didn’t bolt.”
“I’m not talking about the horse. You were trying to run away, and I’d like to know why.” The soft words stole Victoria’s breath away. How could he know? When she didn’t answer, he blew out a noise of aggravation. “Tell me why you were running away, Victoria.”
“Because I don’t belong here.” She didn’t look up at him and kept her gaze fixed on where the stone fence ended at a smooth dirt roadway. “I’m not your wife.”
“Ah, that again.” His resigned tone of voice made Victoria stiffen with irritation.
“Yes, that again. I don’t know why it’s so difficult for you to believe me.
“It’s not so much a matter of believing you, Victoria. It’s a matter of proof.” For a moment, she didn’t speak as she absorbed his words. Was it possible he had doubts?
“Isn’t the fact that I rode Mischief the type of proof you need?” she asked in a hopeful voice. “I’m not an idiot. You made it clear last night you expected me to fail Riding 101, but I passed with flying colors.”