Dark Rider

by Iris Johansen

  Yet Josette had not allowed her to distance herself; she had plummeted into Cassie’s life and forced a place for herself. Almost from the first moment Cassie had felt as comfortable with Josette as if she had known her all her life.

  Well, the incident was over. The girl meant nothing to her. This strange bond of familiarity between the two of them could not hold firm when tested by the information Jared would give the young comptesse.

  She heard the slam of the coach door in the carriage room. Josette was settling for the night.

  Cassie shivered and drew the covers around her shoulders. The early-morning chill was beginning to creep into the stable.

  She should have made Josette take one of Kapu’s blankets.…

  It was barely dawn when Cassie left the stable. She was only halfway across the courtyard when Jared opened the front door and stood watching her come toward him. He was without a coat, his shirtsleeves rolled up and his dark hair tousled. His appearance at this hour could not be a coincidence. He had been waiting for her.

  Dear God, she did not want to face him now. She felt grimy and sleepy, and she was still suffering that odd sense of loss.

  “I hope Kapu had a better night than I.” Jared’s gaze raked her face. “Or you.”

  “I slept.” It was true that after much tossing and turning she had finally managed to snatch a few hours’ sleep.

  “I didn’t.” He smiled mockingly. “I sat in my chair in the library and waited for you to abandon your vigil.”

  “I told you I wasn’t going to come to you.”

  “You malign me.” He opened the door and stepped aside to let her pass. “I had no lustful motives … this time. I merely stayed to see that you found your way to your quarters. Morland has three wings and many chambers. It would have been very distressing to the servants to have to search for you if you became lost.”

  “I would have just waited on the doorstep until the household woke. Besides, I never became lost on the island. I doubt if I would here.”

  “But the island is your home, your territory.” He smiled. “This is mine.”

  She didn’t need him to remind her. Now that she was away from the familiar sights and scents of the stable, she was beginning to feel very much alone and far from home. “Will you stop boasting and show me where I’m to sleep?”

  “I wasn’t boasting, I was merely pointing out the similarities between—” His smile faded as he studied her. “I’m not going to lie to you. There are very few similarities between your island and England. You’re going to hate it here.” He paused. “Unless you let me help you.”

  “A bargain, I suppose?”

  His lips tightened. “No, goddammit, what’s between us is a thing apart. I brought you here and that makes me responsible for you. I don’t want you hurt.”

  “I won’t be hurt.” She turned and started for the stairs. “Did you put me in a chamber close to Lani?”

  “No, I put you in the chamber next door to me.” He moved past her and up the stairs. “So close I may be able to hear you breathe. I think I’ll enjoy lying in my bed and listening for every little sound.” He looked at her over his shoulder, and his voice deepened to silken sensuality. “It will be almost like being beside you.”

  A wave of heat surged through her as she met his gaze. Blast it, this was exactly what he wanted her to feel. She gave him a deliberately derisive glance. “These walls appear too thick to hear anything but a cannon shot.”

  His lips twitched. “True. Too bad you noticed.”

  “And I want to be next door to Lani.”

  He preceded her down a long hallway. “Guests have no choice in their quarters here at Morland. Placing you near Lani might prove inconvenient later.”

  He meant when she changed her mind and came to his bed. “I can’t foresee any possible inconvenience.”

  He stopped before a door. “I can.” He threw open the door. “I can foresee an endless variety. So you’ll remain here.” He nodded at the brocade bellpull on the wall across the room. “Ring if you need anything. I’d say a bath is in order.” He turned away. “I’ll send you breakfast at ten. You were going to meet Bradford at eleven, I believe.”

  “He told you?”

  “Of course, he knew I’d want to be there.”

  “I don’t want you there.”

  “I didn’t think you would. But I’ll be there all the same.”

  “Then I won’t let Kapu—”

  “Yes, you will,” he interrupted. “You promised Bradford and you won’t break your word.” He strolled to a door only a few yards away. “I’ll see you at eleven.”

  Cassie watched the door close behind him before she shut the door of her chamber. He was always so maddeningly confident of his knowledge of her. She should deliberately stay away from the stables to confound him. No, that would be childish. Bradford would be disappointed, and she would not let Jared’s actions force her into doing anything she would not ordinarily do. These weeks at Morland would be difficult enough without allowing him to confuse her in that fashion.

  Her glance traveled indifferently around the chamber. She supposed it was considered very grand, with its canopied bed draped in burgundy velvet and the heavy, rich oak furniture and high ceilings, but she found little to admire. Houses were only a place to shelter when she wasn’t in the stable or outdoors. The cottage had been just as adequate as this castle for that purpose.

  But Jared was right—after the night in the stable she did need a bath and a meal. She moved quickly toward the bellpull across the room.

  Eleven

  Bradford was standing by Kapu’s stall when Cassie arrived at eleven. Jared was not with him.

  Bradford gave her a smile. “We’ll have to wait a bit for Jared.”

  “I agreed to let you, not Jared, time Kapu.” She entered the stall and gave Kapu a greeting pat before turning to the saddle in the corner. “If he’s not here when I’ve finished saddling Kapu, we go on without him.” She threw the saddle onto Kapu’s back. “Or we don’t do it at all.”

  He grimaced. “I believe I detect a hint of displeasure toward Jared. Has he particularly annoyed you recently?”

  “It’s rude not to be punctual.”

  “Jared is always punctual. Something unexpected came up this morning.” He paused. “As I understand you might know. Josette tells me you encountered each other last night.”

  “Did she?” She fastened the girth.

  “You upset her.”

  She didn’t answer.

  “But she liked you.” He grinned. “But, then, I knew she would.”

  “Why? We have little in common.”

  “Because she’s a comptesse? That doesn’t matter. She uses the title only when she wants to protect herself. Tell me, when you met her didn’t you feel—”

  “I felt bruised. She jumped on top of me.”

  “You know that’s not what I meant. Did she remind you of anyone?”

  “Very well, she seemed familiar. I don’t know why.”

  “Look in the mirror. She could be your twin.”

  She frowned. “What do you mean? We’re nothing alike.”

  “Not on the outside. But you definitely should have felt a bond. I didn’t know you at sixteen, but I’ll wager that most of your responses were exactly like Josette’s. She’s constantly in trouble, defiant, eager, impulsive.” He chuckled. “And if she were transported to your island, she would be wearing a sarong instead of those trousers that so horrify Lady Carradine.”

  It was true. Now that he had held up the mirror, she could see herself in Josette. No wonder she had felt comfortable with the girl so quickly. “Will Jared punish her for running away from that school?”

  “I doubt it. He won’t let her off easily, but Josette usually manages to persuade Jared to do as she wishes. She even persuaded him to name his ship after her.”

  The Josephine. Cassie had not made the association. “Then why does he make her go to that school? She doesn’t
like it.”

  He shrugged. “It’s the finest in the county. Josette would hate the restrictions of any school.”

  Cassie shuddered as she remembered the threats to send her to a convent. She would have been as miserable as Josette if Clara had prevailed. “He should let her stay here. If she causes him trouble, it’s because she’s unhappy.”

  “It’s not possible. We try to have her for long visits, but she would be ruined if she stayed at Morland.”

  “Ruined?

  He hesitated and then shrugged. “I was searching for a discreet explanation, but that’s not necessary with you. The Lady Carradines of our set don’t entirely approve of the goings-on at Morland.”

  “What goings-on?”

  “Oh, racing, gambling, drinking, and …” He made a vague gesture. “Other things.”

  Those other things probably included carnal debauchery with the women from London, with whom Josette appeared very familiar. “As long as Josette doesn’t do those things, why should it matter?”

  “Ah, so speaks the clear-eyed young sage. Poor Cassie, you’ve come to a land in many ways more savage than your own. It should not matter, but, believe me, it does.”

  “She’s right to ignore such foolishness.”

  “Unfortunately, she doesn’t ignore it, she strikes back. She needs constant supervision, and Jared and I are continually traveling.”

  “Then you should forget about hounding my father and stay home.”

  He lifted his brows. “It seems Josette has a new champion.”

  “I’m not her champion. She’s nothing to me.” She opened the stall door and led Kapu out. “And I’ll be less than nothing to her when she finishes talking to Jared.”

  “Possibly. One can never be sure which way Josette’s going to jump. She’s as unpredictable as you are.”

  She wished he’d quit comparing them. “It doesn’t matter to me which way she jumps.”

  “You mean you won’t let yourself care. Josette would respond in the same way.”

  He had done it again. She said through her teeth, “I’m not waiting any longer for Jared. Where is this race course?”

  Bradford gestured to the rear entrance to the stable. “Out those doors and beyond the meadow. It’s a half mile north. Go outside. I’ll have Joe saddle my horse and I’ll be with you in a minute.”

  She would have to lead Kapu past Morgana’s stall, she realized with a mixture of anticipation and reluctance. Well, she was certain to see them together sometime; Jared must ride the mare frequently. He might even choose to do it today.

  “Something wrong?” Bradford asked.

  “No.” She started down the aisle. “I’ll wait for you outside.”

  Morgana ignored Kapu.

  The mare took one glance at the stallion and then discreetly turned her head.

  Kapu was equally oblivious. He trotted past the stall as if it were empty.

  Cassie smiled ruefully. She might believe that they were perfect mates, but the horses were clearly not impressed with each other. It was an entirely natural response. Stallions were seldom interested in mares out of season. She had been foolish to expect anything else.

  Jared arrived at the race course, riding Morgana, as Kapu was finishing his third run.

  Cassie didn’t look at him as she reined in beside Bradford, breathless, exhilarated, cheeks stinging from the cold wind. “That’s enough. Kapu doesn’t like all this starting and stopping. He’s been on that ship for weeks, and I need to let him go. Where is there terrain safe enough to let him loose?”

  “How fast?” Jared asked Bradford.

  “Better than Morgana’s best time on the first run. Less on the second, the third about the same.”

  “Christ.” He turned to Cassie, his eyes glittering with excitement. “One more run.”

  “No.” Cassie kept her gaze on Bradford. “I’ve done what you asked, Bradford. We’re both tired of this nonsense. Now, where can I let him go?”

  “I want to see it myself,” Jared said.

  “Then you should have been here.”

  “Dammit, I couldn’t be here. I had to—” He stopped as he saw the stubborn set of her jaw. “I’ll show you a safe path.” He turned Morgana. “Come along.”

  “You can just tell me.”

  “The devil I will. If you won’t let me time him, I’ll at least see him in motion. There’s a five-mile path along the cliff that’s free of brush and potholes.”

  “Can I ride on the beach?”

  “Too many rocks.

  Craggy rocks, gray skies, biting wind, and glowering castles. Being in this unfriendly England was like being on another planet. “Are you coming, Bradford?”

  He shook his head. “I think I’ll see if I can find Lani. I’m surprised she didn’t come with you.”

  Cassie smiled. “She discovered the library. She said she had never seen so many books. She may not come out for the rest of the time we’re here.”

  “Good God, that may mean I’ll have to stuff more learning into this noggin. What a coil.” He lifted a hand in farewell and the next moment was galloping back toward the stable.

  “Ready?” Jared asked. He didn’t wait for an answer but kicked Morgana into a gallop and raced across the meadow in the direction of the cliff.

  Cassie trailed behind, deliberately holding Kapu back, watching Jared. He and the mare were incredibly beautiful together. She had seen Jared on horseback only that one brief, explosive moment on the beach, and that didn’t really count. Lean, tight grace and centaur strength merged with the high-spirited beauty of the mare. He effortlessly controlled Morgana yet used no force.

  He reined in, glancing over his shoulder.

  She nudged Kapu into a faster pace in response to the silent demand. Demand and response. In the hot darkness of the cabin she had become accustomed to meeting every need even before he voiced them, just as he had met her own. But now everything was different; she must break the habit. She deliberately slowed Kapu again as she drew near Jared.

  He smiled crookedly. “Lower your guard, for God’s sake. Every minute doesn’t have to be a battle. I’ve no devious purpose at the moment. I just want to watch Kapu run. Is that so terrible?”

  She could hardly object when she had lingered behind to see Jared and Morgana together. “No.” She paused. “But it’s your fault I’m on guard. You always make remarks … and threats.”

  “Very well, I’ll curb my tongue.”

  The surrender was unexpected, therefore suspicious. “And your intentions?”

  “Temporarily.”

  “Why?”

  “I had a long time to think last night. It’s not fair play to pursue you on unfamiliar ground. It annoys me exceedingly, but I believe I’m forced to give you time to grow familiar with Morland before I pounce.”

  It did annoy him. She could sense the barely leashed frustration beneath the mocking tone. She responded slowly, “Bradford said you were a just man.”

  “On occasion. I know it’s a disappointment to realize I’m not completely lost to virtue.”

  He was right. She didn’t want him to be honorable or just; he was robbing her of weapons to fight him. “You didn’t seem overly virtuous this morning.”

  “I’m being patient, not foolish. I have every intention of seducing you to my way of thinking. I just promise not to snatch … for a while.”

  “Thank you.”

  He ignored the irony of her tone. “But I’ll require something from you in return.” He held up his hand when she opened her lips to object. “The opportunity to seduce. I won’t touch you against your will, but you’ll come to supper every night, and you must give me some portion of the day to persuade you to come back to my bed.”

  “I don’t have to give you anything.”

  “Christ, you’re stubborn. Can’t you see I’m trying to make this easier for you?”

  She looked away from him.

  “Would you prefer threats? I can make it very uncomfort
able for you at Morland. The master of the castle is also the master of the stable.” His gaze went meaningly to Kapu. “What if I forbade you access to the stallion?”

  Her gaze flew to him in alarm. “You wouldn’t do that.”

  “Why not? Don’t yon think I’d do anything to—” He broke off, then said wearily, “No, I wouldn’t do that to you. I’d find another way.”

  Yet he had discarded the one weapon that would have forced her to his will. He had known she would have yielded almost anything for Kapu. “There’s no other way,” she whispered.

  “I’m wagering there may be one.” He met her gaze. “Fair play, Cassie. You don’t like to be bound by it any more than I do, but you can’t turn your back. I’m giving a great deal, including Kapu, and asking very little.”

  If she did as he asked, it would be a way to be close to him without returning to that sensual underworld. She might be able to learn something that would help Papa. She felt a scalding rush of emotion at the thought. Betrayal. Betrayal of Jared.

  Dear God, she should not be ashamed to think of her father at this moment. Why else was she here? “It’s not going to change anything. Papa …”

  He knew at once what she was trying to say. He smiled mirthlessly. “I didn’t think it would. I’m not trying to seduce your soul, only your body. You claim the two are separate, don’t you?”

  “Yes.” Yet in those last days on the ship she had begun to have doubts and had broken the bond. What he was offering now was time spent in a sunlit world. Surely it was the coupling that had been dangerous, the pleasure intoxicating. It was the blending of the darkness and the sunlight that she had feared. “I suppose we could … ride together.”

  “Not a splendid concession. It’s difficult to seduce a woman on a horse.” He pretended to think about it. “Though not impossible. And what shall we do if the weather is inclement? Never mind, I’ll think of something.”

  It had seemed a small concession, but she was suddenly beset by doubts. “Perhaps I shouldn’t.…”