“Sometimes. Though I am rather adept at amusing myself.” He winked at her.
“I am sure you are.” Jane rolled her eyes as they approached the stables.
The stablemaster bowed to them both. “If you give us a moment, we will ready some horses for you. Though I feel I must warn the lady that our most even-tempered mares are waiting on the farrier, so it may be best that you return another day.”
“I appreciate your concern, good sir, but I am quite confident I could bring an unruly steed to heel.” Jane flashed Blake a dagger-sharp smile. “I am known to be rather tempestuous when the mood strikes.”
The stablemaster opened his mouth to argue, but Blake interjected, “Trust me, good sir, you do not want to be on the sharp end of her tongue.”
The man looked between them and then nodded. “I will return with your horses in a few moments. And, of course, I will bring a mounting block for the lady.”
“Do you often rise at the crack of dawn to go out riding?” Blake asked as the stablemaster vanished from sight.
“When the mood strikes,” Jane replied enigmatically. “I would have thought you would not care for such early morning activities.”
“And why would I not?” Blake ran a hand through his hair.
“Most men who spend the night drinking seem to struggle to wake up before noon,” Jane answered, covering her mouth as she yawned.
“Ah, but I do not spend my nights drinking. And I am often awake at dawn. It is a most magical time.” Blake flashed her his most rakish grin, hoping to make her blush.
“I’m sure it is,” she replied coolly, though he saw two faint spots of color appear on her cheeks. “Your attempts to goad me are getting somewhat predictable.”
“Then I shall have to try harder.”
But before either of them could say another word, the stablemaster appeared with two horses.
The smaller of the two, a chestnut mare, was given to Jane. The mare danced nervously, but Jane soon soothed her. Blake was handed a black stallion who seemed as ready as he was to run.
He swung himself up into the saddle and glanced over at Jane, who had just mounted her mare. “I fear that this is where we part ways, for I have no plan to ride at a slow pace.”
“I see what you are doing.” Jane clicked her tongue at her mare, urging her into a slow walk and falling into step with him. “You are afraid that I will outride you.”
Blake laughed as their horses walked side by side. “Why would I fear that? After all, I won yesterday.”
“Because I am a better fencer than you, and therefore I may well be a more skilled rider.” Jane shrugged.
“And yet who was the victor?” Blake grinned.
“If I had not been in a dress, you would not have scored that point.” Jane frowned and then blushed, as though realizing what she had said.
“And what else would you have been wearing?” Blake could not resist teasing her.
“Proper fencing attire.”
“What scandal.” He clutched a hand to his chest, gasping theatrically. “Why, whoever heard of such a thing?”
“As though that is the most scandalous thing you have heard.” Jane shook her head at him.
“It may well be. I am a delicate flower.” Blake affected his most innocent expression
Jane snorted. “And I am the Queen of England.”
“Your majesty.” Blake inclined his head.
Jane rolled her eyes. “You are being ridiculous.”
“I am not. I am simply trying to be honest. Once my horse has sufficiently warmed up, I intend to put him through his paces.” He gestured around them.
