Much Ado About You (Essex Sisters series Book 1) by Eloisa James

Author:Eloisa James [James, Eloisa]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2009-10-13T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter

18

If there was one thing in the world that Imogen loved better than Draven Maitland, it was her own horse, Posy. For a time, Posy had been Papa’s favorite. Her ears had perked back and forth as she listened to the stream of affection coming from his lips, telling her that she had beautiful legs and the withers of a winner. But Papa quickly grew disillusioned with Posy. She liked to canter, not gallop, especially during races. In short, she was lazy.

“She doesn’t want it,” Papa had said in disgust one day. And after that he walked past Posy’s stall with just an absentminded pat on the nose, never noticing the way her dark glossy eyes grew sad to see him whisper and chuckle to Balladino, whom he had begun grooming to make their fortunes.

Imogen waited until Balladino won his first race (that was before the poor horse collided head-on with another horse during training and strained a fetlock). When Papa was in the glow of the winner’s circle, she asked if she might have Posy for her very own, and because the dibs were in tune that particular day, he said yes. It took only a few weeks for Posy to start whickering for Imogen, rather than for her father. Imogen never visited the stables without bringing her a treat and staying to rub her nose.

Thoroughbreds could be mean. Imogen had seen her papa’s prize horse, Patchem, watching, watching, watching. He knew she was afraid of him. He would wait until she wasn’t expecting it and chomp on her hair, or catch her coat in his yellow teeth. Posy would never think of such a thing. She had a whiskery nose, and she loved to put her chin on Imogen’s shoulder and huff into her hair and snuffle a bit while Imogen leaned against her and smelled her horsy smell.

In short, Imogen loved Posy, and if she couldn’t have the man who made her knees weak and her head swirl…at least she had Posy.

“Oh, Posy,” she whispered into the horse’s mane. Posy whickered softly and slobbered a bit on Imogen’s arm.

“Would you like a saddle on her, miss?” The stable master, who’d introduced himself as Ridley, was standing at the door to the stall. He was a tall, overly thin man missing a quantity of teeth. Oddly enough, his lack of teeth only made his smile more cheerful.

“Yes, I would, thank you, Ridley.”

Ridley led Posy into the yard and nimbly threw a saddle over her. “I’ll have a groom saddled in a moment, miss.”

“Groom?” Imogen asked.

Ridley nodded, tightening Posy’s cinch.

“Must I?” Imogen asked. “I’m quite used to taking Posy out on my own.”

Ridley thought about it for a moment. “It won’t do in London, of course,” he said to her. “A young lady mustn’t be seen alone. But perhaps if you were to stay on His Grace’s land, you’re unlikely to meet another. But I’d feel more comfortable sending a groom out with you, or perhaps your maid?”

“I don’t want a groom or my maid,” Imogen said firmly.

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