Read Online Anne Ashley by His Makeshift Wife - Free Book Online Page A

announcing that he had profited more by
their association.
    ‘After all, to whom else could I entrust such a fine piece of
horseflesh as Vulcan?’
    This succeeded in capturing Briony’s attention. ‘Would that be
the stallion you’ve had brought to the Manor?’
    ‘It would indeed. Would you care to make his acquaintance?’
    She didn’t need more persuasion than that and eagerly
accompanied both men into the stable, which she saw at a glance had already been
restored to good order after years of neglect, before her attention was well and
truly captured by the magnificent creature pacing his large stall.
    ‘Part Arabian, part Irish-bred stock,’ he enlightened her, as
his much-coveted possession stuck his head over the wooden barrier to receive
his customary treat.
    Briony couldn’t forbear a smile. ‘I see you spoil him. But I
cannot say I blame you. He’s truly magnificent.’
    ‘He is indeed,’ her husband wholeheartedly agreed, a moment
before his teeth flashed in the most wickedly provocative grin Briony had ever
witnessed in a member of his sex. ‘And like most virile young males he behaves
much better if offered a sweetener.’
    Suspecting a double meaning, Briony flatly refused to be drawn
and, for the second time that morning, wisely changed the subject by asking if
the animal could be ridden.
    ‘Yes, but only by me and Ben here, who manages him remarkably
well considering the stiffness in his leg,’ he responded; although he had spoken
lightly, there was no mistaking the clear edge of warning in his voice.
    ‘Let me assure you I have no intention of attempting to do so,’
she declared with feeling. ‘I haven’t forgotten what happened the last time I
rode one of your precious horses.’
    He was totally bewildered, and it clearly showed. ‘Pray refresh
my memory! What did happen?’
    ‘You tossed me in the lily pond upon my return to the
Manor!’
    Ben Carey’s shoulders shaking in suppressed laughter only
served to ignite one of his master’s occasional lapses into devilment. ‘Upon my
word! All I can say is I must have been in a rare good humour that day. You
wouldn’t get off so lightly if you attempt the like again!’
    This was hardly destined to act as a salve on a young woman’s
bruised ego and it didn’t. Nor did the servant’s sudden loud guffaws help to
lessen the feelings of ill usage she’d experienced all those many years ago.
    A descendent of the famed Celtic warrior queen herself could
not have looked more determined in her resolve. ‘You ever lay violent hands upon
me again, Luke Kingsley,’ she warned, hands on hips and swinging round to face
him squarely, ‘and I would strongly advise you not to sleep in your bed at night
without securely locking both doors.’
    Once again those white teeth flashed in the most infuriatingly
goading smile. ‘Do I infer correctly from that that I might expect a visit from
you, my love, should I attempt to play the heavy-handed husband?’ he enquired in
an undertone, so that only she could hear. ‘Would that, perchance, lead to a
better understanding between us and a—er—more pleasurable way of passing the
night hours than in sleep? What a tease you are, to be sure! And after last
night’s rejection, too!’ he declared, much to her further combined chagrin and
acute embarrassment. ‘But then, I have ever heard it remarked upon that females
are fickle and have a tendency to change their minds quite often.’
    ‘Well, this one does not!’ she hissed through clenched teeth,
and swung away in high dudgeon, only to be caught the instant she had set foot
outside the stable.
    She refused to demean herself by attempting an undignified
struggle and merely glanced down at the shapely hand that retained a firm grasp
of her upper arm. ‘Unhand me at once, sir!’ She stared up at him, the look in
her eyes clearly a challenge. ‘Or are you to prove once again that you are not a
man of your word? You swore you would not come near me