Iris Johansen - Dark Rider

"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.