Read Online Recklessly Yours by Allison Chase - Free Book Online Page B

older architecture with modern additions, so that if Ivy, who had visited here before, hadn’t pointed them out, Holly would never have noticed.
    But it was the Ashworth stud—the stables, pastures, paddocks—that left her awestruck. She had believed the stables owned by her brothers-in-law to be extensive and well appointed. But even from this distant view, she realized these would dwarf those other stables, as well as outshine them in their design.
    As the carriage approached the wide front steps of the house, Lady Sabrina, elegant in a riding habit of deep blue serge trimmed in dark plaid, came down to greet them. “Everyone is already down at the stud. The races are to begin shortly.”
    â€œThe races?” Holly exchanged puzzled glances with her sisters. They had known only that they would be viewing horses this morning.
    â€œDidn’t you know?” Lady Sabrina leaned around Holly and Willow to regard Ivy at the opposite end of the seat. “It was winter when you visited, Lady Harrow, so I don’t suppose there was any reason for my brother to show you the racecourse he installed last year.”
    Holly surveyed the riding attire that emphasized Lady Sabrina’s trim figure and brought out the vividness of the blue eyes and blond hair that were so like her brother’s. “Do you intend to race this morning?”
    She emitted a burst of ironic laughter. “If I thought my brother would tolerate it, certainly. But no, my role is relegated to putting a couple of the fillies and colts through their paces, to show off their potential as hunters. Not all of our Thoroughbreds are destined for the racetrack.”
    Holly was surprised Colin Ashworth tolerated his sister even in this role, for it did, after all, amount to putting her on display before their guests. Not all men were as open-minded as her sisters’ husbands, willing to admit that women were capable of achieving skills equal to those of men. Judging from the sardonic look on Lady Sabrina’s face, her brother had probably deemed this a necessary compromise to prevent her from attempting something even rasher.
    Holly couldn’t help secretly cheering for the young woman. “How you must enjoy your life here,” she said.
    Lady Sabrina gave a shrug.
    Circling the house, the driver followed a gravel lane that skirted formal gardens and continued for about half a mile. The Ashworth holdings were considerable and impressive. Willow apparently thought so, too, for she continually craned her neck as Lady Sabrina pointed out sites of particular interest.
    The lane ended in a circular forecourt enclosed by three expansive buildings of whitewashed stone with slate roofs. Corinthian columns, carved embellishments, and beveled, diamond-paned windows put each structure on a par with the manor house itself. A host of carriages lined the pavement, attended by teams of drivers and footmen, some busily attending the vehicles, others lounging and chatting.
    â€œAnd these are our stables,” Lady Sabrina said unnecessarily. She pointed far to the right. “Over there is the carriage house. Before us are the stables proper, with our personal horses to one side, and racehorses to the other. To the left is the veterinary annex.”
    The carriage stopped and she hopped out without waiting to be assisted. “I hope you aren’t opposed to walking. The racecourse is through there, past the paddocks and just down a little ways.”
    The main stables comprised two wings that straddled a wide archway. They passed through the arch, the air redolent of hay and horses. On either side, double doors stood open, revealing wide aisles that disappeared into shadowed interiors. Holly glimpsed stable hands walking up and down, their arms filled with equipment. She longed to detour down one of those aisles and see what equine treasures they contained—a longing born from both her own desires and her duty to