Betrayed by Arnette Lamb

Author:Arnette Lamb
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gallery Books

9

Sarah led her horse into the parting crowd that filled Pearson’s Close. In her left hand she clutched the leading reins to another mount. Michael stood head and shoulders above the onlookers. Behind him, the streetsweeper hurried away through the throng, his blanket cape flapping as he left the scene. She had heard the shouts of encouragement from the spectators but no explanation as to what had brought two such different men to blows.

Michael looked up, and his expression was reminiscent of a boy caught raiding the biscuit box.

Inordinately pleased, Sarah said, “I hope I haven’t interrupted an important fight?”

“No.” He took great care adjusting his cockaded hat. “Only a minor disagreement.”

Guffaws sounded from the now-thinning crowd.

She took in his stiff countenance and tightly clenched jaw. “Then I hope I never see you truly angry.”

“An excellent way of thinking.” He glanced at the old mare. “What have you there?”

At his cockiness, she moved closer and tossed him the reins. “I promised to collect you today for our visit to the cobbler. Since I haven’t a carriage, I acquired a fitting mount for you.”

The startled expression on his face was worth the trouble she’d encountered in finding the plodding draft horse.

Without the prospect of a brawl to occupy them, the spectators shared unkind remarks about the big brown horse.

“That will be all, gentlemen,” Michael announced. “You may take your leave.”

They grumbled good-naturedly, but obeyed him all the same. He did not dwell on the accomplishment; Michael Elliot appeared at ease ordering others about.

Walking around the hired mount, he shook his head and laughed without humor. “Your judgment in horses is exceeded only by your taste in prospective husbands.”

Except for the keepers of nearby shops, the lane was now empty of onlookers. “If you don’t like the mare, you may ride my gelding.”

His gaze slid to her knee, which was hooked across the sidesaddle and draped with the folds of her riding skirt. His mood turned stormy.

Sarah waited, silently urging him to rail at her. He’d meddled in her life and toyed with her affections. She wanted a confrontation with him. Relieving him of his pride in Pearson’s Close seemed a good place to start.

A moment later, he began to laugh in earnest. His shoulders heaved with the effort, and the exotic feather in his hat danced on air.

She bristled. “What’s so funny?”

He dabbed tears from his eyes. “My life of late.”

Seeing that her carefully planned scheme was falling short of the mark, that Michael Elliot wasn’t at all humiliated, Sarah took a different tack. “Do not expect me to feel sorry for you. You brought it on yourself.”

He laughed harder.

“I demand that you stop that this instant!”

Sniffling, his eyes squeezed shut, he continued to chuckle.

Her mount sidestepped. She drew rein and stroked the animal’s neck to steady him. “What is wrong with you? Have you gone daft?”

“Quite possibly.” He looked skyward, but pointed to the mare. “Where did you find that tragic beast?”

Somewhat mollified, Sarah strove to appear innocent. “You are unhappy with the mount?”

A baleful stare lent elegance to his powerful frame.

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