Free Emerald Garden by Andrea Kane Page B

doesn’t surprise me. You and I both know how rigidly traditional Desmond is. He probably assumes he owes it to Papa to properly manage my life.”
    “And do you intend to let him?”
    A smile. “I never have in the past. Why would you think I’d begin now?”
    “Brandi …” Quentin inhaled sharply. “A lot has changed while I’ve been away. You’ve matured, taken part in several London Seasons—met numerous gentlemen.”
    “I wrote you my opinion of those gentlemen.”
    “Yes, you did. But, tell me, has there ever been one in particular, someone who made you feel—differently?”
    “You sound like Pamela,” Brandi murmured, scraping the toe of her half boot through the dirt. “She was determined that I find my heartfelt mate.”
    “And did you?”
    “No.”
    “Not even …”
    “Here ye are, m’lord, m’lady,” Frederick announced, leading Goddess and Poseidon to the stable door. “They’re all saddled up and ready to go.”
    “Oh, thank you, Frederick.” Brandi hurried forward, stroking both horses’ muzzles. “Are you both prepared for a brisk gallop through the woods?”
    Goddess blinked her huge dark eyes.
    Poseidon jerked his gleaming black head up and down.
    “I’ll take that to mean two yeses.” Brandi gathered up Poseidon’s reins. “Are you ready, Quentin?”
    “I am.” He strode forward, his scrutinizing gaze sweeping Poseidon. “I visited the stables the other night after I’d settled you in,” he told Brandi, his voice rich with pride. “But I was only here briefly. Therefore, I hadn’t the chance to see what splendid condition you’ve kept Poseidon in. Thank you, Sunbeam. And you, too, Frederick.”
    “My pleasure, m’lord.”
    “And mine as well,” Brandi added, glowing from his praise.
    The two of them led their horses from the stables, into the late morning sunlight.
    “To the stream?” Quentin asked instinctively.
    Their eyes met.
    “Oh, yes.” Brandi’s pleasure was a tangible entity. “It’s been ages since I’ve ridden there.” She swallowed, her long lashes sweeping her cheeks. “I do stroll the banks. I even wade and fish. But each and every time I consider steering Poseidon in the stream’s direction, memories of you—and our glorious jaunts on horseback—intervene. And, with you away until Lord knew when, it hurt too much.”
    “Don’t.” Quentin stroked his knuckles over her cheek. “No sadness, Sunbeam. Not now.” Valiantly, he squelched the painful reminder of what he had to impart. “Let’s race through the woods to the southern tip of the property, then back to the stream. That should give you ample opportunity to flaunt your skills on Poseidon.”
    Eagerly, Brandi nodded. “Excellent.”
    “Shall I give you a leg up, or will that insult your independence?”
    Brandi laughed aloud. “You could never insult me, Quentin. And I’d be very grateful for the assistance.”
    He helped her mount, grinning as she tucked her skirts unceremoniously between her legs to seat herself comfortably astride Poseidon.
    “You begin the race, Sunbeam,” he invited, hoisting himself onto Goddess’s back.
    “All right.” Brandi grasped the reins, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “Go!”
    They tore on, neck-and-neck, galloping wildly through the woods. Heads bent low, they raced along the familiar path, urging their horses faster as each sensed the other’s nearby presence.
    Brandi reached the clearing first, veering Poseidon into a sharp turn toward the stream just as Quentin came up behind her. She didn’t wait, but took off at a breakneck gallop, flying like the wind as she saw the stream approach.
    Goddess’s hooves thudded disturbingly close by, and Brandi caught a flash of gray as Quentin sailed by to her left.
    “Come on, Poseidon,” she urged, squeezing the stallion’s sides with her heels. “We’re almost there. Show me that spirit Frederick described.”
    Poseidon responded, lowering his head and increasing his speed until