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Five

A COUPLE OF AWKWARD SECONDS LATER

BlastOwenLockington for being spot on.

“I’m positive it wasn’t because you didn’t want to leave me behind,” Althelia quipped. She sounded completely calm despite the fluttering of a dozen birds’ wings in her belly. “Which, I assure you, you could not have done had you tried. I’m an excellent horsewoman.”

Shecould outride and outshoot most of her brothers, which vexed them to no end. Laughing at Owen’s nonplussed expression, she patted Stardust’s neck.

“By the by, please call me Althelia or Ally, and I shall address you as Owen. We don’t stand on haut ton formality here.”

“SoLeonidas informed me, but you’ll forgive me if I remain unconvinced.” Owen’s piercing verdant glance was at once aloof and patient, as if he struggled to cast off his natural taciturn inclinations and adopt a different, more amiable reaction.

“You’re trying far too hard to be affable, Owen.” She gave him a cheeky grin. “I’ll wager it’s a terrible strain. You smile as if your stomach pains you or you need to pass wind.”

Hisgruff bark of laughter cut through the frosty air, and she almost dropped the reins as she gaped at him.

GoodLord.

WhenOwenLockington laughed, the harshness dissolved, the coarseness faded, and he transformed into a striking creature. A wholly attractive man. He’d never be considered handsome in the classical sense, but he possessed a rugged appeal she’d never encountered until now.

Itcaused her pulse to jump and her belly to quiver.

Godhelp her.

HadAlthelia truly suggested he needed to … fart?

Whatwas wrong with her?

“I know no other woman that would remark upon my ah—nature—in such candid terms.” His features had softened around the edges, and genuine amusement, not offense, lingered in his eyes.

Shefound it impossible not to answer with a bright smile. “Iwas wondering why you haven’t picked up your pace.”

“I’m giving Sampson time to become accustomed to my weight.” He leaned over and stroked the gelding’s wither. “I doubt he’s carried anyone near eighteen-stone. I want to earn his trust, which won’t happen if I overtax him initially.”

“That is most thoughtful of you.” His unanticipated consideration for the abused horse caused Althelia’s heart to flutter and a warm sensation like hot chocolate to sluice through her veins.

Whowas the real OwenLockington?

Thealoof, brooding brute or the caring, warmhearted man?

Couldn’the be both?

“What is the real story behind yours and Leonidas’s friendship?” she asked without preamble.

Aneyebrow quirked, he scratched his chin.

“You don’t mince words, do you, LadyAltheliaWestbrook?”

Shelifted her shoulders. “I see no point in tiptoeing around. Directness serves me better these days.”

Hesighed, then leaned back in his saddle as if he’d made a decision.

“Several fellows—all legitimate sons of peers and a few with titles themselves—were teasing me about my birth and appearance. Even as a youth, I was gangly and huge, my hair unruly, and my clothing far inferior to theirs. They found me an easy target. Leonidas observed their taunting and called them out for it. They didn’t take kindly to his interference and thrashed both of us soundly.”

“I’m sure my family never knew that.” Althelia thinned her mouth in outrage. “The cruel brutes. I hope you managed a few sound punches too.”

“Aye, and so did Leonidas. Several of the buggers sported blackened eyes, as did both of us.”