Chapter 4
She decided to go for a ride instead.
The place was deserted. Her maid Carmen (she still could not get over the fact that she had a maid!) had told her that the queen was out for a luncheon with friends and the prince had left earlier, which was perfect. She feared facing him after the disastrous first meeting. She wanted that delayed for as long as possible.
She would take Queen Sofia's offer to find a horse and go for a ride. It beat trying to navigate the huge grounds on foot. She had also taken a peek inside the garage and counted all of fifteen vehicles. What on earth two people were doing with so many vehicles was beyond her. But she supposed this was how the other half lived.
She had spotted the gleaming vehicles that belonged to the prince and counted among the lot a Corvette, a Porsche, a BMW convertible, and a Benz. There were also two dirt bikes and a racing car. The man certainly loved his rides, she thought snidely.
The barn was big and warm and quite posh. She supposed that with so much money floating around, it would be unlike anything she had ever seen. The grizzled old man in charge gave her a toothy smile and spoke with a thick accent. He was the first person she met since her arrival that did not speak preciseEnglish. He told her he had been with the family since before the king was born and would not be retiring anytime soon.
"Raphael at your service, Señorita." He beamed at her, dark eyes twinkling. "Queen Sofia already instructed me and the others to let you have a pick of dee horses, except the brute Zahra. That animal thinks he's so high and mighty, he won't allow us to come near him, not even to curry him down. The prince has to do that task himself. Well, here we are. That there is Princess Mel, a gentle and reliable sorrel who knows the grounds inside out."
"Thanks, Raphael."
"Please call me Rafe." He doffed his tattered hat and went away whistling.
She took the opportunity to explore, speaking softly to the horses with their glossy coats and offering up some apples and carrots handily provided in gleaming silver troughs. She had come dressed for the occasion, in soft yielding riding pants, a thin silver sweater and black jacket. Her riding boots came up to her knees.
When Rafe rushed to put the saddle on the horse, she shook her head.
"I know how."
To her amusement, he stood there watching to make sure she knew what she was doing, nodding his head as she hefted the heavy saddle, talking to the horse gently as she adjusted the cinch.
When she put her foot inside the stirrup and vaulted effortlessly on top of the horse, he clapped his hands gleefully. "Dee American knows how to mount a horse."
"This American has been riding since she was a child," Antoinette retorted. Gathering the reins in her gloved hands, she guided the horse towards the entrance and turned left.
The sheer joy of being in the open country with all the trees bordering the edges had her laughing aloud. She had only been on a ranch in Texas once. It had been a wonderful experience, but nothing compared to this. The wind whipped the tail she had looped through the baseball cap she had donned, and it felt great on her skin.
She gave Princess her head and allowed the horse to be the guide. Outbuildings, pretty little pink and white cottages rushed by. There was the bridge she had spotted this morning when she was curled up on the window seat.
She was so absorbed in her surroundings, she failed to notice the lone rider perched on top of the incline. Tomas had heard the sound of thundering hooves as soon as his horse started to paw the ground and wondered who was out riding.
Clamping a hand on the horse's neck, he soothed the animal, eyes narrowing as he noticed the American woman. Reluctant admiration flooded his being as he watched her skillful navigation of the horse. She brought the animal to a stop right next to the stream and vaulted effortlessly from the saddle.
So, she was no novice, he thought. And she loved horses. The woman was soothing the animal's flank and whispering in its ear.
He had come straight from a tennis match with some friends and decided to take a ride.
In a snap decision, he nudged his horse forward, gently weaving his way along the narrow path. He was upon them before she realized he was there.
"Señorita Carter." His voice was stiff and formal as he viewed her from his lofty perch atop his horse. "I see you've decided to take advantage of the lovely day."
"Prince." She wished with all her heart she had taken a different route.
"And you've chosen well. Princess is an amiable creature."
He watched in fascination as her eyes flamed and flashed. "Amiable is not the word I'd use."
"What word would you use?" He had intended for the question to be courteous but had no idea it sounded condescending.
"Spirited." She eyed the glossy brute he was on a little warily. Turning away, she prepared to mount the horse to leave when his voice stopped her.
"I would like to apologize." His abrupt tone had her turning back in surprise.
"For?"
