Free The Lady Plays Her Ace (The Langley Sisters) by Wendy Vella Page B

her horse forward, and if he wanted to talk with her he had to follow on his. Ace managed to control the horse and looked forward as she instructed, between the long twitching ears.
    "You need to learn to understand the movement of the horse beneath you, Mr. Dillinger. Men tend to forget the finer nuances of learning to ride, as often, like the twins, they have been on horseback since they were small children."
    Ace focused onto her voice and felt the tension in his body start to ease.
    "Now you need to stay calm. Inhale and then exhale slowly. Perfect, now loosen the grip you have on the reins and the horse shall not get annoyed at having its mouth constantly tugged at."
    Ace found himself doing as she directed and felt the horse relax beneath him.
    "You are the driver, so to speak, Mr. Dillinger, and in control. You must make the horse understand that from the start. If he knows you are in control then he will do as you bid."
    "He is a beast," Ace muttered.
    "He is confused," Lady Althea amended gently. "But we shall endeavor to set you both to rights."
    "That’s it, Ace!" Alex called from a few feet away. Ace didn’t answer.
    "If you will allow me to assist you, Mr. Dillinger, I shall send the twins away. However, I shall need to take with me an assurance that you will not kill them both."
    "You ask a great deal from me, my lady."
    "It’s true I do, but in all honesty they are good men, if a little misguided at times. However, I suppose when you are constantly in the company of a man who is not only your best friend but your other half, then there are times when mischief arises.
    "Wise as well as beautiful," Ace said.
    "You must be back to yourself if you can flirt and flatter, Mr. Dillinger."
    That surprised him, because Ace had never been known for either of those things. But before he could speak she had ridden away, leaving him all alone with the beast.
    "I would prefer it if you could stay at this pace," Ace said to the horse, "and if you do, I shall endeavor not to pull on your mouth and forgive you for unseating me." The horse’s ears twitched and then she was back again, and the gray day suddenly seemed brighter once more.
    "Ted is behind us should we require him, but now there is just me to contend with, Mr. Dillinger, and I am going to give you another riding lesson," Lady Althea said brightly.
    "Grateful though I am for the offer, I don’t think I want another lesson, my lady," Ace said, looking at her again because he could, and if he was honest he wanted to, very much.
    "Oh, come now, Mr. Dillinger. Surely you are not afraid—you, the man with the fierce reputation?" She made a small scoffing sound.
    "If you hope to provoke me into continuing with this farce, Lady Althea, then that is not the way to do it," Ace said. "I have been provoked by the best, and when I choose not to do something, no one can dissuade me."
    "Then you are indeed different from the men of my acquaintance, because I need only a few well-placed words to get them doing something they have no wish to do."
    They were walking their horses along a well-worn path as the morning mists slowly cleared, and there was not another rider in sight.
    "That I can believe," Ace added.
    "I don’t believe that was a compliment, Mr. Dillinger."
    "Actually that one was, Lady Althea."
    She laughed a soft huff of breath and Ace thought the sound so sweet on the quiet morning air.
    "Should you be seen out here with me at such an hour, my lady?" He would not be responsible for causing her trouble.
    "I believe we have covered this before, Mr. Dillinger. My reputation is mine to guard, not yours. Besides, who is here to see?" She swept an arm out before her.
    She was looking forward, but her horse was so close that every now and then, their legs touched. He should not be doing this, but God help him he liked this woman, and the prospect of sharing some time alone with her was too tempting, even if he was on horseback.
    "I am uncertain if riding is for me, my