Page 29 of The Devil's Pawn

He grunts. “No wife. No family. Folks passed a while ago now. I had a brother but he… he died, too.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. What happened?”

“He was murdered. ‘Bout a year ago. Beaten to death.”

I touch the base of my neck with my free hand. “That’s awful.”

“Yeah.”

He falls silent, and I do, too. I’ve no idea what to say to that. I’d always thought of England as safer than America, but I guess there are evil people everywhere.

“I believe there are horses I can ride,” I say when five minutes pass without us exchanging a word.

Will nods. “I can saddle one up for you now if you like.”

I grimace. “As much as I’d love to say yes, I can’t ride English style. I’d probably fall off. Riding western style is a lot different.”

He grunts, resuming the sweeping brush strokes along Lightning’s back.

“You could teach me.”

It’s unlikely Alexander will, despite Saskia’s suggestion that I ask him. Even if he would, he’d probably be impatient, and I’d tighten up, meaning the horse would feel my nerves and the whole thing would end in disaster.

“Not sure your husband would like that.”

“I can’t say I’m all too concerned with what Alexander would or wouldn’t like.”

He stops, brush still in hand, head tilted to one side. “Youarea rebel.”

I chuckle. “So, will you teach me?”

Setting the brush down, he folds his arms and studies me. I’m not sure what he’s looking for, but when he nods, I assume he’s found it.

“I’ll—”

“Imogen.” The sharp tone of Alexander’s voice cuts through the air. I stand on tiptoes and peer over Lightning’s withers. Ugh. How didhe find me?

“Yes?” I snap, irked that he’s taken my moment of peace and trampled all over it with his size thirteens.

“What are you doing here?”

I roll my eyes and have to bite my tongue not to start my answer with “Duh”. Instead, I go with, “Grooming this horse.”

His exasperated sigh echoes around the yard. Glaring at Will, he snaps, “What’s your name?”

I expect Will to fold under Alexander’s fearsome glower, but he stands tall and looks him right in the eye. “Will.”

No “sir” or “Mr. De Vil.” I’m impressed.

“You’re dismissed.”

“Alexander, don’t be?—”

“I will deal with you when we have privacy.” Turning to Will, he glowers. “Are you still here?”

Will flicks his eyes to me, then backs away, disappearing around the side of the stable block.

“There was no need for that.”

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