The Angel and the Rake by Barbara Cartland

Author:Barbara Cartland
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781788675314
Publisher: Barbara Cartland Ebooks ltd
Published: 2021-09-20T16:00:00+00:00

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Angela had instructed the housemaid to call her at six forty-five in the morning.

When the maid did so, she then jumped out of bed and put on one of the riding habits that Nelly had lent her.

She went down the stairs just before the hand of the grandfather clock in the hall touched seven-thirty.

She was not surprised to find that the Marquis was already there.

He looked up as she approached and commented,

“You are punctual, which is unusual in a woman and, of course, very smart.”

Angela thought at once that he was being sarcastic.

She was well aware that her riding habit would have been considered outrageous on any hunting field.

“I thought, as we were riding so early,” she said in a low voice, “there was no need to put on the hat that matches this habit, which would make me feel very overdressed.”

“I doubt if there will be anyone around to admire you at this time of the morning, except for myself,” the Marquis answered in a rather detached tone.

She thought that there was a distinct mocking note in his voice.

She now wished that she was not wearing the pale green habit that Nelly had chosen for her.

Then she told herself that she would certainly be a laughing stock in the only habit that she possessed as it was threadbare. Also having been bought when she was younger, it was really too tight for her.

As they reached the top of the steps outside the front door, the horses were being brought round.

Once Angela saw the two stallions, she forgot everything in her excitement at being able to ride one of the finest horses she had ever seen in her life.

They were both being rather frisky.

She knew, as the Marquis helped her into the saddle, that he was worried in case she had been over-confident.

Then she told herself that he was not in the least worried about her, but whether or not she would be thrown.

In consequence she might be unable to take the part of the angel in his play.

As she took up the reins, she began to talk to the horse in a soft voice.

Leaning forward to pat his neck, she told him how fine he was and how much she would enjoy riding him.

It was her father who had taught her to talk to a horse that she was riding for the first time.

As she did so, she trotted away from the front of the house.

By the time the Marquis had mounted his own horse and followed her, Angela was some way down the drive.

As he came alongside her, he heard her saying,

“You are very beautiful, so beautiful that I want you to show me exactly what you can do and if you can jump higher than any other horse I have ever ridden.”

“You are being rather over-optimistic,” the Marquis pointed out as he came closer, “if you think I will allow you to jump.”

Angela did not answer, but at the same time her eyes were twinkling.

She told herself that if she had the chance, it would be difficult for him to stop her.

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