The Women 2-The Other Woman by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Format: epub
Published: 2010-02-13T06:55:45+00:00

* * * *

Not what I want from you. Ally glowered at Roland’s back. Usually the feel of a horse beneath her was enough to elevate any mood, but Roland was a new equation. First he drove her near to tears, and then deliberately provoked her. Granted, it was better to snap at him than to cry, but she didn’t like his methods.

Heat crept up her collar as she remembered the look in his eye. For pity’s sake, she’d been bared to the world, trapped on his lap like some … some … .words failed her. Men did not do that to Allyson of Riverdell. When he acted like that, she thought she knew what he wanted from her. Then he had to go and kiss her like a tender lover. Never fear me. That’s not what I want from you.

Feeling the coward for riding behind him like some ninny, disgusted with the world, she nudged her horse into a faster walk.

"Through sulking?" There was a wicked slant of amusement in Roland’s gaze.

"I do not sulk. Occasionally I plot murder." A sunbeam broke through the clouds and gilded the dew-soaked fields, making it difficult to frown. A velvet fuzz of new growth coated the fields in soft green, and the recent rain had coaxed an earthy scent from the rich brown soil. Spring had blushed the orchards with shades of pink and white, scenting the air with the treacherous perfume of Venus. There were private places in the orchards, places where lovers could lose themselves to passion amid the jewels of spring.

Ally looked on it all and frowned. Even nature was wooing her today.

"Hm. Well, do refrain from killing me just yet. I have something important to tell you."

"You’re leaving tomorrow?" Just the thought made her perk up.

"Sorry. But you’ll find this interesting just the same." He winked at her and spurred his horse into a lope.

She followed, quickly leaving their escort in the distance, yet still in sight. To her surprise, Roland quickly slowed by a stand of evergreen. Curious, she joined him.

He’s a handsome one. The thought surprised her, but it was true. His dark hair fell free to his shoulders, gleaming with blue lights. That strong jaw of his begged for a woman’s hand to soften the hard line.

But not mine, she thought sternly. Even as she thought it, her heart softened.

"I did not receive the money you sent," he said.

That was not what she’d expected to hear. Thrown completely off track, she scrambled to catch up. "What do you mean?"

"I never received any of the money you sent. Nor did I ever write to ask for it." He looked at her, serious, solemn.

She gaped at him in outraged astonishment. "The devil you say! Every quarter like a cursed money collector, your letters arrived with your demands. Coin, wine, war and riding horses. Even a request for a ‘fine saddle horse, suitable for a lady.’" Her eyes narrowed at that remembered insult. "As if that weren’t enough, your hired man was the most disrespectful scum I’d the displeasure to ever meet.

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