My Lord Lion: A Tapestry of Love Romance by Rebecca Ward

Author:Rebecca Ward [Ward, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: White Glove
Published: 2014-02-04T00:00:00+00:00

7

Diana stared at the horse in the uncertain lamplight. At one time it might have been a fine animal, but those days were far behind. Standing still with head drooped, it appeared not to care much about anything.

“This can’t be Gallant,” she cried. “You are wrong, Archie. Gallant fell with Dracot—miles and miles away.”

“This is Gallant,” Archie persisted. “He is, Di. I’d know him anywhere, and he knows me.”

He rubbed the spot between the gray gelding’s eyes. The horse whickered softly and rested its head against Archie’s shoulder.

Diana gave a little cry of surprise.

“That means nothing. Any horse will come to you,” Blaize said sharply.

Archie was fumbling under the gelding’s mane. “But this isn’t just any horse, sir—it’s Gallant. See, Di? Here’s the spot where he was hurt. Remember, when he was just a colt and he cut himself so badly on that wire fence? And here is the mark which Uncle Thomas’s groom put on all their horses.”

Diana put her hand under the gelding’s mane. The animal started to shy away, then paused at the sound of her reassuring voice. As if recalling something dim and far away, it whickered questioningly.

Under her fingers, Diana now felt the hard, knotted scar. Tears filled her eyes. “It is Gallant,” she said in a low voice. “I can feel the scar and—and here is the Gardiner brand, just as Archie says. Gallant—oh, poor Gallant, what are you doing here?”

And where is Dracot? The unspoken question hung in the chill air.

“Who owns this animal?” Blaize asked abruptly.

According to the driver of the coach, the conveyance belonged to Mr. Gerald McDermott, a friend of the colonel’s who had driven out from Grassmere. Archie elected to stay with Gallant, while Diana and Blaize went back to the house where the dancing was in full sway. As they searched for Mr. McDermott, Diana glimpsed Miss Flor sitting with Lady Kerwinkle and her friend, the dashing Lady St. Aubrey. Colonel Pratt was with them, gesturing broadly as he told some story.

Though understandably astonished that the earl of Blaize had taken a sudden fancy to his horse, Mr. McDermott soon recovered and, protesting that his Rayvaynan was as superior an animal as he had ever bought from Harcom’s Stable, settled down to bargain. Since Blaize was not disposed to haggle, they settled for a sum that was twice the animal’s worth.

“My man of business will see McDermott tomorrow and arrange for the horse to be brought to my house,” Blaize told Diana as they walked away. “Meanwhile I’ll send Urse to Harcom’s Stable in Yorkshire. They’ll have a record of where they acquired Rayvaynan.”

“Revenant.” In a low voice Diana explained, “It’s the French word for ghost—’the one who returns.’ ”

Blaize looked at her sharply. “Are you all right?”

“Yes—no—it doesn’t matter.” Diana moistened her dry lips. “Can it be possible that Dracot is alive, too?”

Blaize did not answer at once. He was thinking of how, not ten minutes ago, he had held Diana in his arms and felt happier than he had been in his life.

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