Iris Johansen - Dark Rider

"That's encouraging," Cassie said. "It would be most uncomfortable trying to ride Kapu with pinholes in my bottom."

Two pairs of trousers and shirts and jackets arrived for Cassie the next week. The gowns arrived three weeks later.

Four of the lovely garments were in delicate pastel shades. The fifth gown was a brilliant scarlet silk.

Josette shook her head. "You can't wear this. It's far too… too bold. What could Jared have been thinking?"

She knew exactly what Jared had been thinking.

A reminder of those nights in the cabin. A silent assertion that he had not forgotten his intention to have her back in his bed. She stared blindly at the gown while memories rushed back to her.

"Cassie?" Josette was looking at her, puzzled.

Cassie tore her gaze from the gown. "I seldom have any idea what Jared is thinking." She quickly crammed the gown into the rear of her armoire and out of sight. "But you're right, it's far too bold."

"You look very peaceful. Where's Cassie?" Bradford asked as he strolled into the library, carrying a silver tray burdened with cups and teapot.

"Where is she always?" Lani looked up from her book with a smile. "Out riding with Josette."

He set the tray down on the table before her and settled himself in the chair opposite her. "Good. Then I'll have you to myself."

He poured her tea, then added the milk and dollop of sugar she preferred. He always remembered. From the first day he had come to the library to seek her out several weeks ago, he had subtly insinuated himself into her life. Sometimes he stayed for only an hour, other days he curled up by the fire with a book and stayed until it was time to dress for supper. At first having him constantly around had made her uneasy, but she had gradually become accustomed to his presence.

He poured his own tea and took a sip. "Do you know, I'm beginning to like this. I never dreamed I'd say that about such an innocuous brew."

She smiled. "But not as much as your brandy?"

"It's not the stimulant I'd choose." He leaned back in his chair. "But if you're hinting I regret no longer drinking, it's not true. I've been amply compensated." He studied her. "You're looking quite beautiful today. I like you in yellow."

"Do you?" She paused, then said deliberately, "So does Charles."

He stared down into the amber depths of the tea in his cup. "Not as much as I do." He abruptly changed the subject. "Do you resent Josette?"

She looked at him, shocked. "I like Josette very much."

"Everyone likes Josette. That's not what I asked. Do you resent her?"

"Why should I resent her?"

"Cassie seems to spend more time with her than she does with you."

"I'm not a jealous child," she said curtly. "It's perfectly natural for Cassie and Josette to be in each other's company. They're both mad about horses, they're close to the same age, they have similar natures. Of course I don't resent her."

He made a face. "Then you're more tolerant than Jared. I believe he's less than pleased they spend most of the day together." He paused. "And I think you're feeling a little lonely yourself."

"Perhaps." It would have been mean-spirited to envy Cassie her time with Josette, but she was willing to admit to loneliness. "She was never one to stay inside when she could be out and about, but I saw more of her on our island. Or it could be that I was busier there than I am here." She added hastily, "But you must not mention it to her. When we're together, it's just as it always was, and being with Josette is good for Cassie. I was always mother as well as friend to her. Now, in a smaller way, she must take the same role with Josette."

He said dryly, "I haven't noticed her acting particularly maternal. Yesterday she was demonstrating to Josette how to stand upright on a horse's back."

Lani chuckled. "I've seen her do that at a full gallop. It frightened me at first, but she never falls. I gradually became resigned to it."

"Jared didn't show signs of resignation. He pulled her down from the horse, shook her, and told her he never wanted to see her repeat that little trick."

"What did she do?"

"She said she'd ride her horse in any fashion she pleased. Then she stomped away from him."

"She'll do it again," Lani said.

He nodded. "Without doubt." He went back to the original subject. "If you don't want me to bring Cassie to a sense of her responsibility to you, what-"

"She has no responsibility to bear me company."

"Don't interrupt. You said that you were less lonely because you were busier on your island. It appears the remedy is to set you to work."

She raised her brows. "In what manner?"

"Will you take the task of overseeing the castle?"

"Jared already has a housekeeper."

"Mrs. Blakely is a competent soul, but every household needs a mistress."

She frowned. "What makes you think that I could rule this vast place? I've never had a home of my own. Clara even acted as housekeeper at the cottage."

"With you going behind her and smoothing the way, I'd wager."

She did not deny it. "A cottage is not a castle."

"My dear lady, will you stop dithering? We both know you could rule England if you chose."

She smiled. "From what you've told me of your king, it would be no challenge to do better than you Englishmen."

"Then you'll do it?"

"Rule England?"

He grinned. "Later, perhaps."

She thought about it. The offer was very tempting. She was not accustomed to idleness, and it was fraying her nerves. "What would Jared say?"

"Jared doesn't care a whit about how Morland is run if all goes smoothly. Well?"

She nodded slowly. "You'll speak to the servants?"

"I've already done it. You'll find them both obedient and cooperative."

"You knew I'd do it?"

"I know you , " he said softly. "It's been my pleasure to study you for some time now."

She met his gaze, then glanced hurriedly away. "It was kind of you to take the trouble to consider my needs."

"I'll always consider your needs and fulfill them," he said. "I'm not like Deville. There won't ever be a time when you won't come first with me." He rose to his feet before she could answer. "Now, come along and we'll talk to Mrs. Blakely." He strode toward the door. "You know, I'm going to miss not knowing you're tucked in this library every hour of the day. Now I'll have to seek you out in all kinds of uncomfortable places."

As usual he had struck, then neatly sidestepped any rebuff from her. He would say something that disturbed or touched her, then skip away before she could formulate an answer. She should confront him, be stern with him, perhaps even forbid him to come to her. Not that it would do any good. She had learned that beneath that indolent exterior Bradford could be completely immovable.

Or was she surrendering too easily? she wondered with sudden uneasiness. She couldn't deny she now looked forward to Bradford's company. No day was complete without seeing that rough, craggy face. Silent or verbose, he made her feel… treasured.

He stepped aside and held the door for her. "Just promise me that you won't spend too much time in the scullery. I willingly embraced all those books you love so much, but I've no liking for cookery."

Now that she would not spend so much time with Bradford, surely there was no harm in postponing a total rejection. She smiled serenely as she passed him. "No cookery. I'd not endanger our stomachs. Actually, I planned on setting you to the task of plucking the chickens."

"It's young Joe Barry watching the stable tonight." Cassie let the heavy velvet curtain swing back to cover the deeply recessed window. "Jared could at least have sent one of the older men to stand guard on such a cold night."

Lani chuckled as she stretched out her hands to the fire. "You can tell him that at supper tonight. Somehow I don't believe he'll pay heed to your complaints as to his selection of jailers. You like this lad?"