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“Perhaps, but instead, I might be able to solve the problem for you,” he answered kindly.
She eyed him. “I was merely hoping no one would see us. I don’t want to cause a problem for my uncle and great-aunt.”
He smiled. “No one of any consequence will see us riding, and as soon as we are done, we are meeting my good friend and his wife at a nearby inn. I am persuaded even the sticklers would not object to that.”
“Oh?” Jessie brightened. “How good of you to think of everything.” She adjusted the wide brim of her Gypsy hat, touching the white scarf trailing from its crown to her back. Her flaming tresses, which had been pinned away from her ears, had come loose as her Missy pranced beneath her. She laughed and patted the mare’s neck. “Easy there, lovey, easy.”
Rodrigo had just hoisted himself onto the back of his black gelding and trotted up to her. She eyed him, and once again realized she was far too attracted to the Spanish rogue. “Your black is magnificent,” she said with feeling as she scanned the sleek lines of the lovely horse.
“And capable, as well. You know, little spitfire, we could go directly to that inn I mentioned, should you want to forego our little wager.”
She chuckled. “I am not so fainthearted, sir.” She eyed his frenzied steed who pranced even more than her mare. “Your gelding looks as though he may give you a hard, very hard ride. It may be you who wish to forget our wager, such as it is.”
He laughed. “Minx of a woman.” He touched the tip of his dark beaver hat, gestured for her to move forward ahead of him. There was only one way into the pasture. Jessie surveyed the post and rail, its footing before and after, and guessed the line fence to be about three feet. She brought her horse under her, took a gentle feel of the mare’s mouth, and encouraged her forward. The fence was taken neatly, the landing was managed easily, and Jessie felt the exhilaration of its successful completion as she turned to watch Rodrigo on his black. Man and horse took the fence in perfect form, and Jessie laughed with excitement as she trotted towards him. She loved riding like this. It was freeing, unhampered by convention, at one with her mare and nature.
They rode across the field and approached another fence line, this one not much different than the one they had just taken. She slowed her mare’s pace. Rodrigo smiled as he rode alongside her, head ‘n’ head. This time, they took the fence line together. Her mare picked up speed, so she shortened her reins and called her horse to order. It was wonderful.
Rodrigo was nearly overwhelmed by the admiration he felt for Jessie’s skill. She was certainly more accomplished than he had, at first, surmised. They were approaching a stream, and he noted Jessie’s mare looked frightened. The mare was young, and not all horses take to water immediately. Jessie’s expression changed, and he felt a twinge of concern.
He spurred his black forward and called over his shoulder, “I will give you a lead over the bank. Ride her well, love. Don’t trust her for a moment because she does not appear to trust the water!”
This, as it happened, was just what Jessie had been worrying about. She had never jumped her horse over water, and she could feel the mare tense beneath her. She felt a wave of gratitude as she followed Rodrigo towards the bubbling stream.
Her mare began to balk in advance. She knew what Jessie was asking of her, but she was frightened. She produced her crop, which she had never used on any horse, but hitting her own boot with force, she could make her mare pay attention to what she was being asked to do.
The mare saw the crop in her mistress’s hand. She heard her mistress demand they go forward. She felt Jessie’s legs squeeze her flanks. Her ears flickered, and her head came up in her extreme agitation. Ahead was something glistening that made a noise that was troubling. That was all the mare knew. However, Missy had come to love and trust Jessie, whose hands had always been gentle. Still, fear is a powerful thing. She pranced even as Jessie cantered her forward. She shook her head to make her feelings known, but still, her mistress insisted they follow the black in front of her. The gelding was not afraid, and the mare picked up on this, even as Jessie sat her saddle deep, pacing her, urging her with alternating cooing and forceful demands to jump.
Rodrigo took the stream flying and Jessie spurred her mare to follow. Her mare took the cue and went up and over, beautifully, gracefully, with Jess praising her as soon as they landed. “You, dear sweet girl, you!” Jessie patted her mare’s neck. “Bravo...my Missy, and to you, Rodrigo, bravo. Your lead was perfectly timed. Thank you!”
“Good girl!” Rodrigo said, and was surprised at the pride he felt in her. He trotted to her, thinking here was a marvelous, spirited woman-child who made him feel as no other ever had. At that moment, he was more determined than ever not to hurt her, but to only befriend her. And then, before he could stop himself, he had bent in and taken her slender neck in his gloved hand and dropped a light kiss on her sweet lips.
It was an easy kiss, full with the triumph of the moment, scarcely touched with the passion she always seemed to engender within his breast. His desire had to be ignored. He couldn’t, wouldn’t, seduce her in the excitement of the moment. It wasn’t right. No matter what he wanted, he would not seduce her. Yet...he wanted her beyond his understanding.
Jess was exhilarated. She had taken the stream with her young, green mare, and what was more important, her mare had done it with grace, agility, and style. It was ineffably thrilling. It was an ego booster, and then his light kiss...well, she took it as a compliment of the moment. Nothing to read in it.
In fact, she accepted his kiss with a joyful laugh as she allowed her mare to graze on the tall, green grass.
“Well, spitfire, I admit myself fairly beaten and accept the loss of our wager. You have shown me that you are certainly a horsewoman of no mean caliber.”
She giggled. “Yes, when riding astride. I am hopeless when using the lady’s saddle. I suppose I shall have to apply myself to the task.”
“Didn’t they require it of you at your girls’ school?”
She twinkled. “Of course, but I have never been one who did what was required of me.” With this, she urged her horse off the grass and forward. She beamed as she looked over her shoulder. “I do believe we have yet another fence or two awaiting us!”
He passed her easily, and his dark eyes met those of her twinkling violet pools. Damn, but she was stunning! They took the field ahead, then easily jumped a low line fence and headed for the wooded forest trail. All he knew was this chit with the flame-colored hair was a beauty with a spirit matching his own. All he knew was her company thrilled him, and he even felt a sense of contentment when he was with her.
Jessie told herself not to put any store in the boyish flirtation he had allowed himself to enjoy with her. She told herself he would never feel more than friendship, even though she could sense his desire. Her instincts told her that he didn’t want to go too far and hurt her, but she knew she had to guard against her own feelings for him. She had never felt this way about any man before, and she had a nagging suspicion that in the end...she might be ruined for any other!
* * * * *
Sir Warren’s blue eyes held a cold glint of disapproval as he took in Jessie’s great-aunt’s words. How could this have happened? How had she allowed Don Rodrigo to drive off with her niece?
“You say Don Rodrigo has taken Lady Jessica for a drive in the country? I don’t understand. Alone?”
“Certainly not, but even so, it was not my doing. I was away overnight with some friends, and Jessie’s uncle saw no harm in the expedition. They have a groom with them, and evidently are meeting with Señor and Señora Bolivar at the Greenwich Inn. It may not be something I want for Jessie...but the proprieties are being adhered to, after all.” She eyed him. “Anyone who knows our Jessie would understand that once she has a notion in her head, there is no use trying to stop her. In fact, I rather think you might wish to look for a wife...elsewhere.”
He eyed Lady Wilton a moment, his brows knit in thought before he answered. “As you and the admiral know, my wish to court Lady Jessica comes from a strong attachment I already feel for her.” He frowned. “Are you telling me that Lady Jessica had a strong fancy to ride out with Don Rodrigo—a preference in his direction?”
