Part 8 (1/2)

And then they were airborne, sailing high and wide of the tree and ditch. He landed first with a slight splash of mud; she came next.

As the two of them rode onward, she couldn't contain the laugh of pure exuberance. She glanced over and met Lord Leo's jewel-bright gaze. He grinned back, displaying his set of even white teeth, his features alive with a kind of unrestrained pleasure.

Her heart pounded, and not just from the exertion.

After another quarter mile or so, the pace slowed to a canter, then again to a walk. The fox, it seemed, had temporarily eluded the hounds, the dogs having lost the scent. The whippers sent them out to locate it again.

”You're a smas.h.i.+ng rider, Lady Thalia,” Lord Leo said, leaning forward in his saddle.

She patted her horse's neck. ”The lads in the stable gave me a good hunter. She's got a fearless heart.”

”As do you. I was a little concerned when you headed straight for that jump, but I see that I needn't have worried.”

”My father had me on a horse before I could walk. Riding is easy. I wish I could indulge myself this way more often.”

”I would be happy to make arrangements for you to do so. I know several landholders not far from London who would have no problem letting you ride on their property. The Hollands are not the only ones who hunt, you know.”

For the second time he was offering her something she truly longed to accept. But just as before, his offer came with conditions. Conditions she had no intentions of fulfilling-not that she planned to let him know that at present.

”What an interesting notion,” she said. ”You do know how to cast out tempting lures.”

His eyes darkened. ”And have you decided to reel this one in? You have but to say yes and I shall see it done.”

Howls from the dogs suddenly filled the air and the horn sounded again, relieving her of the need to answer. ”Look,” she said, ”we're off again.”

And indeed they were, the pack having apparently relocated the scent. Thalia urged her mare into action, while Lord Leo did the same with his mount.

As before, he kept pace at her side, their horses flying fast over the rolling, tree-laden hills and down slick shallow valleys. A series of hedgerows rose up, forcing the riders to spread out as they made the jumps either solo or in small groups. By the time she and Lord Leo cleared them all, the leaders and the pack had disappeared from view.

”This way,” Lord Leopold said, gesturing to his right, ”it ought to give us a chance to catch up.”

She nodded in agreement and followed.

The pair of them pelted into a nearby wood, winding their way through the trees and shrubbery. When they finally emerged, Thalia saw that they were in a small clearing, bordered on the opposite side by a tall green thicket that stretched as far as the eye could see.

”We could try going over,” she suggested, tapping her riding whip impatiently against her knee.

He shook his head. ”It's too high. Even if we could clear it, there's no way to tell what's on the other side. We might land on a steep slope for all we know.”

”Or find nothing more dangerous than a flat field.” Still, he had a good point. Without knowing the territory, it was a foolish risk to take. ”Shall we ride the hedge line and see if there's a break ahead?”

He nodded and off they set. But after another five minutes without finding a good place to cross, they drew to a halt again.

He tapped his riding crop against his thigh. ”It's useless-the hounds must be long gone by now. I don't hear them anymore, do you?”

She listened, the only sound the soft susurration of the wind.

”No. It's back to Holland House, I suppose,” she said, disappointed.

He paused. ”Not necessarily. I noticed a meadow with a pretty stream not too far back. We could stop there for a time.”

”And why would I want to do that?”

”Because it's a beautiful day, far too nice to stay cooped up inside.” He gave her one of his most engaging smiles. ”If we return now, the ladies might compel you to join them in some activity. Fan painting, for instance? Somehow I don't see you as being in the mood to indulge your artistic side.”

”Not if it involves desecrating fans. What a ghastly thought.”

His smile widened. ”It is rather, isn't it?”

She knew she should refuse him. She could always retire to her room until the hunt breakfast commenced. No one would trouble her despite the threat of fan painting. Yet this seemed a good opportunity to engage with Lord Leo. She'd decided to teach him a lesson and he'd never learn anything if she didn't take the necessary steps.

”Very well, Lord Leopold,” she said softly, ”lead me to your meadow.”

Chapter 8.

”Oh, how beautiful,” Thalia declared several minutes later as she surveyed the expanse of verdant green meadow. A narrow stream wound at the base of a gentle slope, while hawthorn, blackthorn and rowan trees, laden with colorful autumn berries, stretched their limbs toward the blue sky above. ”It must be even more breathtaking here in the spring and summer when the wildflowers are in bloom.”

It is beautiful, Leo thought, but not as beautiful as you.

He secured his reins, then sprang lightly from his horse. ”Shall we stretch our legs for a few minutes?”

She hesitated briefly, then nodded. ”A stroll might be pleasant.”

”Ah, so now you'll take a stroll with me,” he said in a teasing voice.

”If you aren't careful, I might change my mind.”

He came forward to help her down. ”Then I shall make certain to do nothing to provoke you.”

”I might as well make my way back to Holland House now, then, since I'm certain you'll have difficulty keeping that promise.”

He gave a slow smile. ”Allow me to try at least. After all, anyone who rides with the nerve you do can surely take on a small risk.”

”I don't believe you and 'small risk' have any business being mentioned in the same sentence.”

He laughed, then reached up to a.s.sist her. ”Enough. Let us enjoy the beauty of our surroundings.”

”I am fully capable of dismounting on my own,” she told him in a light tone.

”I am sure you are, Lady Thalia, but I will aid you nonetheless.” Gently, he laid his hands at her waist. ”Besides, I have no intention of wasting an opportunity to get my hands on you.”

Before she could protest, he tightened his grip and lifted her from the horse. He held her against him for long, long moments, savoring the sensation of her soft, warm body pressed to his. ”You're light as a feather. I could hold you like this all day.”

”Could you?” she asked, her eyes a rich, melting brown. ”Are you really that strong?”

”Indeed. I have impressive stamina as well.”