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He went quiet and Star could not read his thoughts, but he inclined his head and said, “Touché, Miss Berkley. I do believe you are quite right.”
“As to where I ride, I am going to visit Miss Madison,” she told him in one of her formal accents.
“Oh?” he said apparently unaffected by the cold shoulder she was giving him. “I thought the Madison estate was northwest of here…closer to Berkley Grange.”
“Indeed, it is,” Star answered without explanation.
“And yet…here you are?”
“If you must know, I veered off a bit to simply enjoy the day, but I am now, if you will excuse me, about to make my way to Madison,” she said moving her horse forward.
“Would you mind a little company?” Sir Edward asked.
“Yours?” she returned ruefully and admitted to herself that while she did want his company, she didn’t know why she should. He seemed at odds with her, so why then prolong the agony. She was very sure he did not like or approve of her. It was a sobering thought that dashed her hopes.
He laughed openly. “I rather deserved that.” His eyes found hers.
Star found herself nearly mesmerized by his glance. She had to get control over her nerves. Why should such an arrogant, proud man have such an effect on her? He was obviously worldly and she was not. He was also most obvious in his disapproval of the manner in which she conducted herself. She should not allow his good looks to sway her at all. He was certainly not her sort. No doubt he was simply amusing himself at her expense.
“You did deserve that and probably a bit more,” she answered. “You should also know that my Butch here, though aged, is a champion full of heart.”
He put up a hand, “Acquit me, I spoke like a dolt and do beg your forgiveness. I have a horse, now out to pasture, that I rode to the hunt and in the steeplechase for years and years. He had French blood in him and although big, his Roman nose was too Roman, his roan coat too spotted and we took a great deal of abuse from my friends because of his looks. However, he too, was a champion in his day. I should have known better than to judge a book by its cover.”
His little speech was disarming and his smile devastatingly charming. Was he simply telling her a story? She eyed him doubtfully, “Is that true?”
He chuckled, “Why would I admit to such a thing? Not an impressive tale at all, is it?”
“Well, for one thing, I don’t think you care about impressing me and for another, I can’t imagine you sitting anything less than Prancer.”
“So there you are, Miss Berkley, you don’t really know me,” he answered quietly. “I should like you to…as I would like to get to know you.”
She dimpled, and ignoring the flirtation in the words said, “Right then, is Prancer all flash and no go?”
“Shall we put him to the test for your edification?”
She beamed, “Oh, I would love to see him in action,” she nodded at the fence line. “I’ll bet he is a sweet goer.”
They had reached the clearing with the pasture ahead and he said, “What about right now?” He then quietly asked his horse with scarcely more than a squeeze to bound forward.
Star watched for a moment, admiring his gait and then said, “Come on Butch, let’s catch up and take the fence.”
The old horse charged forward and was less than five feet behind when she watched Prancer take Sir Edward flying over the line fence.
It was a lovely picture for both man and horse were in fine form. She let Butch take her to the fence, for he too was a wonderful jumper and up and over they went.
Breathless and happy she pulled up along Sir Edward who sat his horse watching her.
“Such good fun, thank you. He is certainly prime,” she said.
“Thank you,” he answered and arched a look at her. “I have to admit, I am impressed with your horse as well.”
She beamed, “Now, I wanted to tell you that I was naughty the other day when I teased you. If you are indeed recovering from a broken heart, then it was not kind of me to poke fun.”
“Why do you say it as though it is impossible to believe?” he frowned at her.
“Well…for one thing, look at you!” she answered as their horses fell in step beside one another.
“A difficult task out here, as I have no looking glass,” he teased. “Is something wrong with the way I look?”
