“If I did, I wouldn’t tell you.”
Her features collapsed into a stern look, but it was underscored by a suppressed grin. “But if you did, I imagine she would be the fastest of all your horses. Also the most well-behaved, elegant, and intelligent, of course. If you ever should acquire such an animal, I fully expect her to be named Alice.” The teasing tone of her voice made me forget my reservations about her. I was suddenly fully inclined to believe that she possessed all of those qualities.
“I shall bear that in mind,” I said, leaning toward her. I corrected my posture, but a few seconds too late. Why was I so drawn to her? It was incredibly vexing.
My horse tossed its head restlessly, inching closer to Miss Kellaway’s mount. I led my horse in a circle, but Miss Kellaway followed. She sat comfortably on her side saddle, as if she had spent countless hours in the position. Perhaps she had. Her back was straight, her attention on me without a hint of reservation. She held the reins lightly, with a casual confidence that I found far more attractive than I should have. She seemed less persistent today than her friend, Miss Lyons, which was probably far more dangerous.
Miss Kellaway could make herselfappeargenuine.
Even when it was clear that she and her brother had been scheming for this private conversation, I was still unable to stop myself from enjoying it.
“And you?” I asked. “What horse do you ride back in Hampshire?”
She eyed me carefully, but I saw her gaze flicker across the grass. Her brother and Miss Lyons had created a great deal of distance between us, but Miss Lyons was still watching our conversation from afar.
“Millie, my thoroughbred,” Miss Kellaway replied. “I believe…she was mentioned at the ball.” Her eyes lowered, and I thought I saw a hint of color on her cheeks.
The dispute about who that horse belonged to had surely been the cause of the fight between the two women. Looking at Miss Kellaway now, it was difficult to believe that she would have lied. She seemed afraid to meet my gaze. Before I could examine her expression further, a laugh erased the uncertainty in her features. “There is another horse I take out occasion, though—a stallion. He has a dark coat with a healthy shine, buthe is unbearably slow. He’s rather ungainly too…unfit for proper racing.”
I frowned. “Is he old?”
“Not particularly, just rather weak.”
“Poor creature. And what is his name?”
The edges of her lips smirked. “Perhaps I should not tell you.”
I raised my eyebrows with a laugh. “No, please. Enlighten me.”
She stopped her horse beside mine, facing out toward the grass. The wind took hold of a few strands of her hair, and they shone copper in the sunlight. Her smile spread wide, eyes glinting with amusement. “Jonathan.”
I groaned, and a burst of laughter escaped my chest. I should have seen that coming, but I had been too distracted by her face. Hersmile. Devil take it, I was far too easily manipulated. But perhaps I had been wrong about her intentions. I wanted to be wrong. It was daring of her to say my Christian name, but I liked it. The sound of my name on her voice made me feel strangely close to her for a moment, even if she had used it to tease me so mercilessly.
“First you assume I’m a novice painter, and now a weak rider?” I asked. “Is that your implication?”
She grinned but didn’t answer. Instead, she loosened her reins with a nudge to her horse and burst off across the Steine. Instinctively, I followed suit, setting my horse into a gallop across the neatly trimmed grass. I couldn’t help it. A surge of competitiveness swarmed over my mind, banishing every last concern about the lure of Miss Kellaway’s charms. I would worry about that later. For now, Ihadto win.
My muscles tensed as I covered the ground between us. I had almost caught up to her. I leaned forward, urging my horse to pick up speed until we mirrored Miss Kellaway’s horse. I slid upbeside her, and then passed, throwing her a triumphant smile as I did. There was no clear finish line, but at least I was proving the point I had wanted to make. Our horses were well-matched, and Miss Kellaway was a skilled rider, but my horse had a slight edge on hers. By the time we had cut across the entire width of the Steine, we were both laughing.
Miss Kellaway brought her horse to a stop behind mine. She struggled to catch her breath. I hadn’t heard her laugh so heartily before, and I wouldn’t soon forget the sound. It was musical and inviting—not at all as threatening as I would have hoped.
“Perhaps you should change the name of your stallion,” I said with a grin. “Jonathanis unsuitable for such a weak, ungainly horse, I would think.”
Her nose wrinkled, but a smile still tugged on her lips. “I will not change his name simply because your pride demands it.”
“It’s not a matter of pride. It’s honor.” I straightened my posture in an exaggerated fashion. “If I am to share a name with a horse, I should at least like it to be a talented one.”
She seemed far too amused with my response. “Yes, he lacks skill, but he is perfectly cherished at Kellaway Manor. Is it not enough that he is happy?”
I pretended to contemplate her words. “No.”
She laughed, her eyes meeting mine with a persuasive look. “He eats well. He munches on oats and sugar cubes all the day long.”
I fought against my own smile. “I don’t like oats.”
She gave an exasperated sigh. I had no idea if this horse actually existed, but I refused to surrender. Miss Kellaway did not seem to realize how competitive I could be.
She shrugged. “Well, despite his shortcomings, he is mine. And I love him.”
