Page 18 of Midnight with the Marquess (The St. Clairs 2)

His hands encircled her waist. Large, green eyes stared at him intently. He swallowed and lifted her to the saddle and then untied her reins. Once he gave them to her, he repeated the process and mounted his borrowed horse.

With a mischievous smile, Rachel said, “Race you to the main road.”

She took off, the horse’s hooves thundering along the lane.

Evan had always enjoyed a challenge. He spurred his horse on and set out to beat her, closing the gap between them seconds before they reached the road. Digging in his heels, his horse crossed from the lane onto the road by a head’s length. He pulled up.

Rachel turned and kept riding.

She continued at breakneck speed the five miles to Fairfield. Evan joined her but she never glanced in his direction the entire way back. They rode straight to the stables and without waiting for him, she slid from the horse’s back, breathing hard.

A stable lad hurried out and took the reins from her.

“He’s been ridden hard,” she said, her words coming in spurts. “Give him an extra measure of oats.”

She turned for the house and he leaped from his saddle and tossed the boy his own reins. His strides were much longer than hers so he easily caught up. Latching on to her arm, he forced her to stop.

“Do you always ride so recklessly?” he panted.

“When I have the chance.” Her eyes gleamed at him in amusement.

Evan wanted to kiss the life out of her. The look on her face dared him to do so. Instead, he released her arm and backed away a few steps.

“I will see you at midnight,” he ground out.

Rachel smiled. “I wouldn’t miss it for anything, Merrick.”

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