Page 40 of An Unlikely Debutante

Chapter Thirteen

Already Lina could see Alex’s spirits lifting as they saddled up the horses and checked the animals over prior to their ride.

‘I’m sure there’s a riding habit of Georgina’s somewhere in the house,’ Alex said, studying her as she swished her skirts out of the way of Stormborn’s dancing hooves.

‘Why on earth would I want to wear one of those restrictive garments?’

‘It’ll make it easier to ride.’

Lina stared at him with raised eyebrows. ‘Have you ever ridden in one?’

‘Of course not.’

‘Me, neither, but I think they are designed for ladies who ride side-saddle.’

Lina gathered up the brightly coloured material of her skirts as she led Stormborn out into the yard. She’d changed back into her everyday outfit, a plain white blouse on top with a skirt made of a mix of materials below, all brightly coloured and attractive to the eye. It was comfortable and practical and Lina was used to riding horses in it.

She felt Alex come up behind her, sensed his body just a few inches from hers and realised she was holding her breath. More and more this was happening; her body would react to his closeness even though her mind knew nothing could ever develop between the two of them.

Carefully he boosted her up, helping her to arrange her skirts once she was in the saddle, his fingers brushing against her thigh and making her shiver with anticipation, but of course it was an accident and as quickly as the contact had begun it was over.

‘Let him lead,’ Alex counselled as Lina loosened her grip on the reins. ‘He’s a headstrong horse who runs better when you give him a bit of freedom.’

Alex mounted, vaulting up on to a large black stallion as if it were no more effort than hopping over a muddy puddle. It was incredible what strength and agility riding horses could build; Alex had immense physical strength mainly due to his time training the racehorses in his stables.

They set off, riding in a companionable silence for a while. It took a few minutes for Lina to get used to Stormborn’s long stride, but soon she was sitting comfortably and ready to increase the pace.

‘Shall we race?’

Alex looked around him for some landmark to race to. ‘First one to that copse of trees?’

It was easily half a mile away, a good distance to test out both the horses and riders.

‘What are the stakes?’ Lina asked. She knew she should know better than to enter a wager whilst on horseback, but with the sun on her face and the wind in her hair she felt carefree and daring.

‘If I win, then you show me your tattoo.’

Lina stiffened. ‘What makes you think I have a tattoo?’

‘I caught a glimpse of it when you first arrived and hitched your skirts up to vault over the partition in the stable.’

Alex was grinning and Lina felt herself blushing.

‘Ladies don’t have tattoos,’ she said as primly as she could. ‘Only soldiers and seamen mark their bodies like that.’

‘If I win, you show me your tattoo,’ Alex repeated firmly.

‘And if I win, you let me ride your Arabian.’

‘Deal.’

Before Alex could beat her to the start Lina spurred Stormborn on, encouraging him into a gallop up the gentle incline. She leaned forward as the majestic animal sailed over a low hedge, not slowing as the climb became steeper. Behind her she could hear the thundering of Alex’s horse, but Lina didn’t dare look back. The copse of trees was close now, only a hundred feet away, and for a moment Lina thought she might just beat Alex, but suddenly he was past her, his eyes focused on his destination, the wind lifting his hair and making his shirt billow.

There were only a few seconds between them, but Alex was the indisputable winner.

‘I wonder what a gypsy girl would have tattooed on her leg?’ he mused as they allowed the horses to slow to a leisurely walk.

Lina ignored him, knowing she would have to show him the tattoo she’d had done at the tender age of fourteen when her family had visited the port town of Southampton. The idea of lifting her skirt up over her legs to reveal the patch of skin high on her thigh wouldn’t normally faze her, but knowing it would be Alex’s eyes travelling over her bare skin made her hot with anticipation.