Page 38 of The Major's Mistake
A slight pressure on the reins was all that Miranda needed to control her spirited mount’s impatience to be off after the pony. “She is a dream, sir. I’ve never ridden such a responsive animal, or one with such spirit.” A quick caress feathered over the horse’s muscled neck. “I venture she has stamina, and can run like the wind as well.”
The marquess arched one eyebrow and a faint smile came to his lips. “Care to test that assumption? Say, to the crest of the hill where Justin is awaiting us?”
She eyed the larger stallion, who was also chafing at the bit. “Hmmm. That’s hardly fair, sir,” she countered. “Not without a headstart to allow for your stallion’s greater size and strength.”
Julian’s smile broadened. “Two lengths.”
Miranda gathered her reins and, with a murmur of encouragement, spurred her horse forward.
The filly fairly shot off the mark. With Miranda bent low over her mane, she lengthened her stride, hooves flying over the close cut stubble. It wasn’t until halfway up the gentle slope that the stallion drew even. Even then, the smaller horse responded to the challenge by laying her ears back and straining every muscle to hold him off. It was only by little more than a nose that the marquess’s mount reached the top of the hill first.
The wind had whipped the color to Miranda’s cheeks and her eyes danced with the exhilaration of it all. “Oh!” she exclaimed, stroking the filly’s lathered neck as she slowed to a trot. “What a magnificent run!”
Julian drew in his big stallion as well. “What say you, Zeus?,” he said with a grin. “We nearly met our match today.”
Miranda broke into an answering smile. “Lucky for you, sir, that there was a hill. On flat ground I’m not sure the two of you would have caught us.”
Their eyes met, and for an instant it was as if all the anger and hurt of the past melted away in warmth of their shared laughter. Just as suddenly, Miranda’s features stiffened and she jerked her gaze away.
Julian felt a sting of disappointment at seeing the guarded expression return to her face. It was, he realized, the first time she had laughed—truly laughed—in his presence. The sparkle in her eye, the set of her smile had nearly taken his breath away in those few moments.
Good Lord, it made absolutely no sense, he reasoned with himself. Countless ladies had smiled at him in much more alluring ways over the last few months, trying to excite his attention. Every one of them had left him feeling indifferent, so why was it that right now, a heat was coursing through him that he could not understand, much less control?
He turned abruptly and urged his stallion forward to where Miranda stood chatting with Justin. She had dismounted and was making a small adjustment to the length of his stirrup.
“Major! Major,” called the little boy. “You won, but Zeus is bigger than Mama’s horse.”
Despite his agitated emotions, Julian couldn’t help but smile at the boy’s simple reasoning. Before he could answer, Justin turned to Miranda.
“Look, Mama, she already likes you!” Indeed, the filly had come up from behind and was nuzzling her velvety nose against Miranda’s windblown tresses. “What are you going to name your new horse?”
Miranda began to stutter in confusion.
“I know!” continued Justin. “You should name her Hera.”
She went pale at the impulsive words—in his innocence, her son had suggested naming the filly after Zeus’s wife. “I … that is, love, I fear you have misunderstood Angus. I am merely borrowing her for the day. She belongs to His Lordship and so is not mine to name.”
“Oh.” He looked a bit crestfallen.
“An excellent suggestion, lad,” said Julian, careful to avoid meeting Miranda’s eyes. “Hera she shall be.” He reached down to ruffle the boy’s already tousled locks. “You did remarkably well today, lad. No doubt you will soon be leaving both your Mama and me in the dust.”
Justin beamed with pleasure.
“I’m afraid I must take my leave of you here. I depend on you to see your Mama home safely.”
“But sir, your horse—” began Miranda
Ignoring her startled protest, he spurred Zeus forward and rode off without a backward glance.
Ten
Miranda gave up on trying to sleep and threw back the covers. Reaching for her faded wrapper, she pulled it on, then lit the single taper by her bedside and made her way downstairs.
In the kitchen, she stirred the few remaining coals in the stove to life and brewed a cup of chamomile tea. Rather than return to her own chamber, she wandered into her aunt’s cozy study and curled up on the comfortable sofa that faced the shelves of books. Despite the soothing warmth of the herbal brew she couldn’t seem to banish whatever it was that disturbed her peace.
Try as she might, she couldn’t deny that she had an inkling of what it was that had sparked the warring emotions within her breast. With a heavy sigh, she took another sip and tried not to think about the past afternoon. Another few encounters like that and she would find herself totally lost!
How was it that a simple smile could be so devastating?
