Lord Of Lyonsbridge

“I’ll see you at the finish, horse master,” she shouted back at him, her smile taunting.

He appeared totally relaxed in his saddle and returned her smile with a small wave of his hand.

The course was longer than she’d anticipated, and she could tell that Jocelyn was tiring, but the noble animal kept running at full speed. She’d not stop until Ellen bade her, even if she exhausted herself.

Less than a quarter mile distant, Ellen could see that the meadow ended abruptly at a grove of mature oak trees. She smiled to herself as she realized that the victory she’d sought was at hand. “Just a little more, girl,” she whispered under her breath.

Suddenly Connor’s horse flashed by, nearly twice the speed of hers, knocking away her breath like a blow to the stomach. She almost lost her grasp on the reins, but Jocelyn stayed on course and did not slow her pace. Nevertheless, when they reached the trees, Connor was already there and dismounted, his face annoyingly impassive, standing ready to catch her mount’s reins.

As Jocelyn obligingly pulled up, her flanks heaving, Ellen sat in her saddle, stunned.

“’Twas a good race, milady,” Connor said after a moment. “You led me a chase.”

“You were well behind,” Ellen said in disbelief.

“Nay. I was but pacing.”

She shook her head. “’Twas not a distance to be paced. Jocelyn rode full out the entire way.”

“That was your mistake. A slower middle makes for a lightning-fast ending.”

His tone was not mocking, which helped her pride. Grudgingly, she said, “’Twas lightning fast, in truth. I’ve never seen such speed.”

Connor allowed himself a small smile. “Thunder’s a good mount.”

“I’d like to ride him sometime.”

Connor nodded. “I’d not trust him with many, but your ladyship rides well.”

She sensed that the compliment was genuine, and one that he gave rarely. It pleased her immensely.

He walked a couple steps, leading both horses into the shade of the oak grove. “Would my lady dismount a few moments so they can rest?” he asked.

“Aye.” She swung her leg over her mount’s back in a most unladylike fashion and twisted around to slide to the ground. Connor watched her, an odd expression on his face.

“You move like a nimble young lad,” he said after a moment.

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.