Fire in the Heart by Katherine Sutcliffe

Author:Katherine Sutcliffe [Sutcliffe, Katherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Fifteen

The weather finally broke. A warm but reluctant sun edged through the clouds and ushered in summer weather. Even so, nothing more was said of Bonnie's leaving Braithwaite. The idea had been completely dismissed.

Bonnie had just joined Kate for breakfast when Miles strolled in, dressed from head to toe in riding gear and carrying a crop. He offered them a gentlemanly bow before saying, "I'm in desperate need of a riding companion on this sunny morning. Come join me, Bonnie."

Bonnie and Kate exchanged glances. Dusting the scone crumbs from her fingers, Bonnie shook her head. "No, thank you."

"What? Young woman, have you looked outside? There isn't a cloud in the sky. This weather is just begging for a vigorous romp on horseback across the moor. Besides, I've already taken the liberty of having a mare saddled—"

"I won't ride one of those squat, lazy little ponies," she interrupted. "And since his high and mighty has ordered me not to set foot near Gdansk again, a gallop over the moor won't be possible."

"Ah, but you'll change your mind once you've seen Ashanti."

Kate, on the verge of drinking her tea, stopped and regarded Miles in surprise. "I don't recall our owning a mare called Ashanti."

"Of course you don't. She only arrived this morning. Come along," he coaxed Bonnie. "Come and see for yourself."

Kate grabbed Bonnie's arm hard enough to slosh tea over the edge of her cup. "I think you should wait until Damien returns from Middleham," she said in a panicked voice. "You know what he said about those horses."

"He said she wasn't to ride Gdansk," Miles declared in a flat no-nonsense tone that sat Kate back in her chair. "If you wish to run tattling to big brother, then be my guest. You will find us down at the stables."

Before Bonnie could respond, Miles had dragged her from her chair. She was out of the room and down the gallery before looking back. Kate stood at the door, her eyes wide and her mouth pinched in worry as she regarded their departure. However, any irritation Bonnie might have felt over Miles's abruptness disappeared the moment they stepped through Braithwaite's door. It was a glorious morning! The air smelled fresh. The gardens were a great splash of colors that took her breath away.

Miles said nothing else as he hurried her to the stables. There was a sense of anticipation about him that was contagious, and by the time they reached the barn she could hardly contain her curiosity.

"What's this all about?" she asked him.

"You'll see for yourself." He escorted her through the stable door and stopped. "Well, lass, tell me what you think."

She stared at the sleek black mare, a smaller replica of

Gdansk, and could hardly believe her eyes.

"Well?" Miles laughed. "Do you approve, Bonnie?"

"She's beautiful."

"And spirited. She and Gdansk will make magnificent foals together." He caught Bonnie's hand and urged her toward the horse. Then he grabbed her around the waist and easily lifted her into the saddle. "So tell me,

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