Page 18 of Masquerading with the Duke
He swung into the saddle, conscious of the duke, Lord Amos and Harrison standing at the railings and watching him without offering advice. He followed Harrison’s example of the previous day and sat stock still in the saddle, suspicious when Equinox remained passive, convinced that situation wouldn’t endure. His doubts were justified when Jared pushed him forward into a sedate walk and Equinox responded by dropping his head and putting in an almighty buck.
‘You’ll have to try harder than that,’ he told the horse, gripping with his knees in order to retain his seat and glorying in the untamed power he felt shifting beneath his weight. Equinox tossed his head and skewed his quarters sideways when Jared urged him into a canter, but after fifteen minutes of failing to remove Jared from the saddle the stallion began to settle.
‘What do you think?’ Lord Amos asked when he drew rein beside his audience.
‘I’m very impressed. But I’d like to take him out and see how he behaves in the open before committing myself.’
‘Of course.’ Lord Amos grinned. ‘You’ve knocked the wind out of his sails, but he won’t be done yet, so don’t let your guard down. I’ll come with you and show you the local high spots.’
‘Thank you.’
‘I’ll leave you to it then, Braden,’ the duke said. ‘Call at the house when you’re finished,’ he added. ‘The duchess would like to meet you.’
The invitation took Jared by surprise but it was one that he could hardly refuse. ‘I’d be honoured,’ he said.
Thor, who’d been told to wait outside the paddock while Jared put the horse through its paces, barked.
‘You’re welcome too,’ the duke said, tugging at one of Thor’s long ears.
The duke went off, his own dogs at his heels. Harrison was called to the covering shed but Lord Amos quickly reappeared astride a handsome grey stallion.
‘Will they be all right together?’ Jared asked.
‘Probably, once they’re away from the mares.’
Jared whistled to Thor, who gambolled along beside them as they rode away from the estate, taking the back entrance that led directly to the common. Both men rode in shirtsleeves and without hats, taking advantage of what little breeze there was to be had. The stallions became agitated as soon as their hooves made contact with the dried grass. Equinox pranced sideways, tossing his head in an effort to snatch the reins from Jared’s hands. Jared grinned across at Lord Amos as he struggled to remain in control. They gave the horses their heads and Jared was astounded by Equinox’s turn of speed; by the raw, unleashed power as the stallion lengthened his stride and ate up the ground beneath him for the sheer pleasure of letting off steam.
Both men drew rein at the end of the gallop, hot and exhilarated. Jared gave Equinox a long rein as horse and rider regained their breath. Thor came scampering up to them, tongue lolling from the side of his mouth.
‘I’m smitten,’ Jared told Lord Amos, patting Equinox’s neck beneath a long mane that reached the horse’s shoulder. ‘Although perhaps I shouldn’t have said that. Being too keen will drive up the price.’
‘I’m glad you like him. We’ll give you a fair deal. We don’t need another stallion, especially since he’s a crossbreed, so you’ll be doing us a favour. I’ve had some interest in him but I don’t want to let him to go to anyone who’s afraid of him and can’t handle his tantrums. He needs a firm had but you seem to have got the measure of him.’
Jared grimaced. ‘Most of the time.’
‘The two of you will bond, I’m sure.’ Lord Amos threw back his head, looking momentarily distracted by something. Thoughts of his wife, perhaps. Jared imagined that she was seldom out of his mind for long and that he felt guilty for taking pleasure out of something as normal as galloping his horse when his wife was beyond taking pleasure in anything. He felt great sympathy for the man who had gone out of his way to welcome him to the district. ‘What have you seen of the local villages?’ Lord Amos asked.
‘Not much. There hasn’t been time. I’ve been into Shawford twice to meet with your cousin, but apart from that…’
‘Then I must take you to Compton, otherwise you will be accused of favouritism and all hell will break loose.’
Jared chuckled. ‘Is the rivalry really that intense?’
Lord Amos rolled his eyes. ‘You have no idea.’
‘Why?’
‘A very good question. Like most things, no one really knows. Grudges have been passed down through the generations and are largely believed to be about the patronage of my family.’
‘Both villages lay claim to that privilege, I take it.’
‘Indeed. We have to ensure that we attend church in each village on alternate Sundays. God help us—and I use the phrase advisedly—if we get it wrong. It happened once and I still don’t think we’ve been forgiven.’
‘Oh dear.’
‘Precisely. Everyone hereabouts will know who you are by now, where you live and what your circumstances are. They will also know that you have been received at the Park, which will make you a person of significance in their eyes. If you do not distribute your custom evenly between the two villages, then your life will not be worth living.’
‘And your family will be forever tainted by association,’ Jared grinned. ‘Warning duly noted.’
