The Taste of Love by Platt Meara & Publishing Dragonblade

Author:Platt, Meara & Publishing, Dragonblade
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2019-08-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Penelope was already regretting her decision to rejoin Lavinia, Matilda, and the others under the massive shade tree in the garden. She’d returned in time to hear the two Scottish earls approve of her betrothal to Thad, even though the big oaf had yet to propose to her.

And now the Earl of Wycke had just declared his intention to fight for her hand in marriage. She had to give him credit for his determination, or was it simple lunacy? Thomas Halford had made the declaration in front of five burly Scots, one of whom was the size of a full-grown oak tree. Malcolm was the name of that giant. Penelope hoped he was not ill-tempered, for no one, not even Thad, who was quite big and brawny himself, would be able to stop him if he decided to uproot Wycke and toss him like a caber across the garden.

“My lord, I’m–” Before she could finish her comment, a keening shout pierced the air, quickly followed by more shouts from the boys who had been watching Pip ride Monarch near the back gate.

Penelope took off at a run toward them when their shouts turned to cries of alarm. Her heart was beating wildly and the breath suddenly rushed out of her as Monarch reared on his hind legs and then bucked on his forelegs, and once again reared on his hind legs.

He was trying to toss Pip off the saddle. “Pip! Get your foot out of the stirrup!”

The boy was desperately trying to hang on, but couldn’t. At this point, Penelope could only pray he would tumble off cleanly. Any broken bones suffered from the fall would heal in a short time.

But if the horse took off at a run with Pip’s foot caught–

Her cousin would be dragged along the ground, likely killed the moment his head hit a rock. “Pip!”

She heard footsteps behind her and knew others were responding to the cries of the local boys. Thank goodness, Dr. Carmichael was at the party. She’d last noticed him chatting with Miss Billings. Where was he now? They’d have need of him.

Monarch was still bucking and kicking, obviously frightened by something.

What trick had the boys been attempting that got him so riled?

She reached out to grab the reins, but Monarch chose that moment to rise once again on his hind legs. The beast suddenly loomed over her with his powerful hooves flailing. She tried to scramble out of the way, but stumbled.

Then all she saw was a wildness in the horse’s eyes. All she heard were his frantic neighs and heavy snorts. The breath rushed out of her as those big hooves hovered directly over her, scratching at the air before descending on her.

She tried to scream, but what came out was an ironic laugh. She’d never had two beaus before. No one had ever vied for her hand until a few days ago.

And now she was going to die.

“Och, Loopy!” Thad’s massive arms were suddenly around her like a warm, protective blanket, lifting her out of the way as he shielded her with his body.

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