Almost a Duke, Almost my Love by Rebecca Dash

Author:Rebecca Dash
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2017-06-13T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Rachel wore a tan, riding coat with lace ruffles at the wrists. It fit well over her dress and buttoned tightly, showing off a charming figure. She rode her horse through the park, sitting sidesaddle as well brought up ladies were accustomed to doing, and went at a slow pace. Galloping was prohibited, much to her dismay most days. Rachel enjoyed the fresh air and the motion. It gave her a few minutes alone with her thoughts. She greeted other ladies and gentlemen who were out riding. It seemed like everyone she knew was there on nice days. It was a clear, beautiful, early spring afternoon, and the sun was shining.

Rachel soon noticed a rider approaching from behind. She could hear the sound of hooves coming up on her quickly. She turned to see who it might be. Alexander Bartley rode as if the devil was behind him, then steadied the horse as he got beside her.

“Lady Rachel.” He tipped his hat and smiled.

“You know there’s no galloping allowed here, Lord Alexander.”

“Ah, but that was not a gallop.”

“It looked most suspiciously like one to me.”

“I can see how it would to the untrained eye, but that was most definitely a chase.”

“And what were you chasing?” she said.

“Something I wanted, of course.”

“And what did you want? A sound reprimand?”

“To see you smile back at me,” he said.

“You have a poor way of achieving your goal, starting out with insults.”

“I did nothing of the sort.”

“You plainly did, sir. Untrained eye? Who were you referring to? My eye is well trained for gallops, trots and chases. And even though that was a gallop, you look like a dedicated trotter to me.”

“A trotter?” He put his hand on his chest as if he were wounded. “I have never been maligned so readily in my life.”

“I could show you what a chase or an experienced gallop is meant to look like, if you wish.”

“You really think you can?”

“Only if you can trot fast enough to keep up.”

“We’re not supposed to gallop here.”

“Then chase.”

Rachel snapped the reins on her horse and it burst into a full run down the path. Alexander laughed as he followed, trying to stay close to her.

An old man shook his cane in the air as they sped by him. “Slow down, you bacon-brained nincompoops!”

Rachel continued to gallop along the path for over a mile before she stopped her horse and waited for Alexander to catch up. It wouldn’t take long. He was breathing heavily when he did.

“Now that was a gallop,” said Alexander.

“And you are still firmly a chaser. But at least you have moved up from a trotter.”

“Chaser, trotter, whatever I am, I think that old man will bash us both with his cane if he catches up.

“Was it worth it?”

“Was what?”

She smiled at him.

“Worth it a hundred times, my dear, Rachel. As long as none of those hundred have to be galloped again today.”

She laughed at that. He thought she was prettier when she was laughing. They rode through the park, side by side, maintaining a sensible speed.

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