Page 22 of Wagering for Miss Blake (Lords and Ladies in Love 4)

“Yes. Far enough away from the title to enjoy my life without worries of being stuck with it.”

Her eyebrows climbed up her forehead. “Stuck? I would think a younger brother would resent those before him.”

“Not at all. The earl has a great deal of responsibility. I have no problem accepting responsibility, but there is much about Eric’s life that I find quite distasteful.”

“Such as?”

“Most men who meet up with him are looking for a favor, and most women are looking for a titled husband.” He glanced at her with a grin, and she blushed.

Wishing to change the uncomfortable subject, she said, “I think the horses are ready for another run.” Without waiting for his response, she nudged Demon with her knees. “Where are the jumps?”

He pointed to his right. “Over that way, behind the woods. Follow me.” He turned his horse, and she smoothly shifted her reins so Demon followed. They circled the wooded area and came upon a wide open field, budding wild flowers growing amid the green grass. Ahead, someone had placed jumps about a quarter of a mile apart.

Mr. Templeton slowed his horse from a canter to a trot. “Are you all right with jumps? This is not a familiar horse to you.”

“Yes. I do it all the time at home.” She patted Demon’s neck. “And this boy will take good care of me, won’t you?”

“You jump sidesaddle?”

“Both.” She smiled as his brows rose. “Yes. I prefer riding astride but, being a lady at a house party of a peer, it would be scandalous to wear the breeches I normally wear at home. Twice, Mother took them from me and burned them, but I was able to obtain another pair, and I have those well hidden in my bedchamber.”

His eyes grew wide at her confession, and something in his slow smile made her blush. Most likely, he was imagining her in trousers. As if to confirm her suspicions, he said, “Now that is something I would like to see. Not the jumping, although I’m sure that is impressive, but you outfitted in breeches.”

Suzanna rolled her eyes. “You will never see me in breeches.” She took a deep breath, patted Demon’s neck, whispered a few words in the general direction of his ears, and snapped her crop against his side. The horse took off, and Suzanna leaned over his body, the familiar pounding of her heart and tightening in her stomach exhilarating. The wind whistled in her ears as she grew closer to the first jump.

She and Demon flew over the barrier with ease. She took the second and third jump, landing as gracefully as a swan. She rode a short distance, then turned the horse, grinning widely. “Your turn,” she shouted in his direction.

Mr. Templeton saluted her, then kicked the sides of his horse and took off. Just as easily as she’d done, he took the three jumps, riding past where she and Demon sat. He turned his horse and returned to her side, both he and the animal breathing hard.

“Well done, sir. I love the competition of riding. When my cousin Patience and I rode at my grandparents’ estate, she never beat me at the jumps we set up. In fact, she never beat me at much of anything. I tend to have a competitive nature.”

He bowed. “And you acquit yourself well, Suzanna.”

She stuck her nose in the air. “Miss Blake.” After a few minutes of allowing the horses to rest, she said, “I find myself quite ready to break my fast.”

“Agreed.” They both moved forward, taking a leisurely trot back to the stables.

“I imagine you have spent quite a bit of time here.” Suzanna looked around at the beautiful gardens and the wild, free area they’d just raced through. “’Tis a glorious place, Hawkins Manor.”

“It is and yes, I have. Campbell, Bedford, Hawkins, and I spent weeks here each summer when we were lads.”

“Did you go to school together?”

“We did. All four of us met our first year at Eton.”

“I spent time at a boarding school, but the girls were quite snobbish, and with me being a ‘miss’ and most of them being ‘ladies’ I didn’t make many friends.”

Mr. Templeton shook his head. “Boys are much less haughty, although there are always one or two who think much more of themselves than they ought.” He studied her for a moment. “Is that why you want to marry a man with a title? To even the score?”

“Of course not.” She huffed.

She held her breath waiting for him to ask why a title was so important to her, but they’d reached the stables, and the groom approached.

He vaulted from his horse and strode over to her, placing his hands around her waist. “This time I’m giving you fair warning.” He lifted her, as if she were made of feathers, and placed her on the ground. “See. Was that so terrible?”

She brushed off her skirts. “No, but unnecessary, since the groom could have assisted me.”

Mr. Templeton leaned in close to her ear, his warm breath teasing her skin. “I will permit no other man to place his hands on you.”