“No.” Broderick slid his palm against hers. “I will protect you. Both of you.”
At that moment, the stable boy brought around an amazing black stallion, temporarily taking her mind off her troubles. Emmie knew a purebred when she saw one, and this horse was top of the line. Her father owned several, which she rode back home.
Broderick looked at her again with a gleam in his eyes. “Emiline, would you like to join me for a friendly and relaxing jaunt around the countryside?”
She still didn’t know if she dared be alone with him. Her body had betrayed her before, not only with the kiss but when she was in the pond. Good thing he couldn’t read her mind at that time, since it was full of improper thoughts.
But now… She wanted to be with someone. Anyone. Loneliness didn’t make a good companion. If they became better friends and he started to trust her, then she might ask him about his relative, Captain Hawk.
“All over the countryside?” she asked. “Not just inside the estate, but outside of it, also?”
His smile was full now, showing off his straight, pearly white teeth. “You have seen enough of the estate, so why not see more of England’s beautiful country?”
Returning a smile, she quickly made her decision. “I would love to join you, Mr. Worthington.”
“Splendid.” He turned to the stable boy. “Put a sidesaddle on Princess so that Miss Emmie can ride her.”
“Actually,” she quickly cut in, “I prefer a regular saddle.”
Broderick glanced over her riding habit. “Are you certain?”
“Yes. I’ll be able to ride just fine in this.” She picked at her skirt.
Not much time later, the stable boy brought out a white thoroughbred mare, the most amazing horse she had ever seen.“Oh my,” she gasped, and walked to the horse, patting its nose. “You are going to let me ride her?”
The young lad looked at Broderick, who gave him a small nod, then back to her. “Yes, miss. You can ride Princess.”
The boy moved to give Emmie assistance, but she flipped her hand to move him away. “Thank you, but I can mount by myself.”
The stable boy shrugged and turned to help Broderick, but he mounted without any assistance. The boy threw up his hands and walked away.
Without thinking, Emmie pulled her skirt up almost to her knees, helping her to mount better. Once she was sitting astride and had her garment in place, she glanced at Broderick. His eyes were wide and still directed at her legs. Inwardly, she groaned. If her father knew she’d just given a man a glimpse of her stockinged legs, her hide would be raw by nightfall.
After clearing his throat, Broderick switched his focus to look straight ahead as he pulled the reins and turned his horse. Emmie followed him until they trotted side by side. He rode with ease and skill. So refined. So much like a nobleman. She was certain he would have made a fine man of peerage. It was too bad his circumstances had left him untitled.
After a few awkward minutes, she finally breathed a sigh of relief that Broderick hadn’t commented on her improper display not too long ago, and she finally let the excitement of their ride consume her. Although being alone with Broderick made her nervous, she couldn’t stop giddiness from filling her as he began his tour of the countryside. Not only was her heart beating witlessly, her mind jumped everywhere at once.
“You know,” she began, speaking her thoughts as they came, “I used to ride a horse just like yours back home when—” She quickly stopped then mentally scolded herself. She shouldn’t have told him that. After all, she had told him a story ofhow she was a poor relation, and people like that didn’t own thoroughbreds.
Broderick raised his eyebrows in question. “You rode a stallion? Just like this one?” he repeated. “Was it your horse or Lady Sarah’s?”
“It was… Actually, it was her father’s horse, but Lady Sarah allowed me to ride it, and she rode the mare.” His gaze narrowed on her. She quickly thought of something to add. “Because of my upbringing, she knew I could handle the stallion better.” Once again, she silently chided herself for saying whatever was in her mind. After all, how was a poor relative going to handle a thoroughbred better than a mare?
“Pray tell, Miss Emmie, why don’t you tell me about your most curious upbringing?”
Think, Emmie!“Perhaps I will when the time is right.” She lifted her chin and pushed her horse a little faster. He kept her pace with his animal.
“How good are you at riding?” he asked with a twinkle in his eyes.
Her heartbeat picked up rhythm. “I’m actually not as good at riding as I am at… racing.” She dug her brown calf-high boots into the sides of the mare, taking off ahead of him, laughing over her shoulder as she passed.
He shouted with laughter before the thunder of the horse’s hooves caught up to her. Knowing him, he would try his hardest to show her that a woman didn’t know the first thing about racing. After a few moments of him still being the one in the rear, she hoped he would change his attitude about her.
She glanced behind her. His hard expression let her know he was serious in his pursuit as he leaned forward in his saddle, pushing the animal faster. When she finally allowed him to catch up, his expression changed. Now he looked hurt, yet surprised.
She stopped her horse, and he did the same. “I apologize, Mr. Worthington. Please forgive me for laughing, but if you could see the look on your face right now…” She couldn’t hold it back any longer and laughed harder.
He growled, and his brown eyes darkened. Fear grasped her as her blood turned cold. Upsetting him was the last thing she wanted to do, especially now that they were becoming friends. She needed to think of something to change his attitude quickly—or at least make him smile.
