Honey Pot by Mira Stables

Author:Mira Stables [Stables, Mira]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Endeavour Media
Published: 2018-07-26T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

That first ride had been arranged for the early morning, since they were agreed that the cool of the day was better for the horses and pleasanter for the riders. It had been rather longer than the usual hour’s exercise. Once he had taken stock of Miss Ingram’s equestrian capabilities there had seemed to be a great deal to talk about. Beginning impersonally enough with the beauty of the countryside and the vagaries of an English summer, they had moved swiftly to an animated discussion on horses, the different methods of breaking and training them and the suitability of hunting as a sport for females. But the horses grew restive, unaccustomed to such lazy loitering, and had to be let out to shake the fidgets out of them. Mr Cameron was granted an excellent opportunity of noting that, though Miss Ingram might not care for the notion of females in the hunting field, it was not from lack of pluck—though that, of course, he already knew—nor from incompetence. Though she made no parade of her skill she might have been born in the saddle. The mare that he had, with some misgivings, selected for her use, was a rare handful. No vice, of course, but full of spirit and playful tricks. Naturally there were no animals in his stable that could truthfully be described as ladies’ mounts, which was why he had insisted that he himself should escort Miss Ingram if she wished to ride. It had been plain from the outset that the lady was no novice. The sympathy between rider and mount had been allowed to develop naturally. The slender hands were firm and capable. Mr Cameron, watchful and alert as the horses broke into a canter, saw the little smile of content as Miss Ingram gave herself to enjoyment of the rhythm and presently suggested that the stretch of smooth turf at the top of the down would be ideal for a short gallop. She nodded briefly and touched the mare with her heel.

By the time that the pair trotted sedately back into the stable yard, Mr Cameron had stopped concerning himself with his companion’s safety and, save for such courtesies as opening and closing gates, left her to manage for herself. When he held up his hands to help her dismount she accepted the attention unselfconsciously and thanked him with patent sincerity for the pleasure of the ride. It seemed perfectly natural to suggest that she should breakfast with him, and if her slight hesitation reminded him briefly of their respective rôles as prisoner and jailer it was soon over. She accepted without comment, since she felt it would be ungracious to refuse when he had exerted himself to be kind. Besides—she wanted to accept. Breakfast with Mr Cameron promised more entertainment than her usual solitary repast.

But the morning ride had now become a daily occurrence which neither of them would have dreamed of missing. Indeed, each day as they returned they would plan where they would go tomorrow.

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