Free Invitation to Scandal by Bronwen Evans

room, understood the signal and casually strolled toward them.
    “It is uncommonly warm this evening, Lord Strathmore. Could I interest you in a stroll in the garden? I have news from your mother that I should deliver as promised.”
    Rufus smiled at the group of men. “If you will excuse us, gentlemen.” The two men bowed and took their leave.
    Together they walked down the terrace and into the garden. As soon as they were out of view, Rufus turned and strode purposefully through the rose garden, down the walled orchard, toward the back paddock.
    “Are you going to tell me what this is all about?” Stephen asked, trying to keep up.
    “Remember the gypsy I thought could lead us to Dark Shadow? It turns out she is not a gypsy at all. She is Miss Rheda Kerrich, the baron’s sister.”
    “So you have opportuned a lady. How distasteful.” Stephen laughed. “Don’t look at me with that thunderous expression. Seduction is now out of the question. We will simply have to look elsewhere for a way to gain the information we require.”
    Rufus could barely speak his anger was so intense. “Let’s not be so hasty. I’ve done some investigating in the few days I have been here. The baron’s father left the estate bankrupt. Yet, since the age of only seventeen, on her own, she has managed to hold off the creditors. How is that do you think?”
    “You think she’s involved in smuggling? Highly unlikely. Besides, Dark Shadow’s organization is one of the most feared in all of Kent. A woman? Surely not.”
    “Beneath every powerful man, there usually lies a woman.” Rufus doubled his pace. “She could be his mistress.”
    “Slow down. Where are we rushing off to, and what has prickled your skin tonight?”
    “I believe, having seen something of Miss Kerrich’s character, that she’s capable of almost anything. She is not some young ballroom chit.” Rufus still remembered the feel of her womanly curves in his arms. He’d dreamed last night. Reliving her response to his kisses. Her wild abandonment in his dreams—and the fact she was closer to thirty than twenty—indicated she was not a normal simpering virginal miss. “The minx has Caesar in the corral so she can secretly mate her Arabian mares with him. She has planned it all.”
    Stephen laughed appreciatively. “Brilliant. You would be unlikely to look for Caesar until morning. What are you so upset about? I am sure Caesar will enjoy the task.”
    Rufus swung around to face his friend. “For one thing she could get herself killed. Have you ever seen horses mating? If Caesar does not impress the mares, he will have the stuffing kicked out of him. Alternatively, if he takes a real shine to the mares and they deny him, God help anyone who tries to get in his way. Mating horses is not a job for the inexperienced or a woman. You need huge reserves of strength to maintain control.”
    “You are simply peeved because she fooled you. I have never known a woman who wanted your horse more than you. This evening is getting interesting. I am looking forward to meeting Miss Kerrich.”
     
    Caesar was being the perfect gentleman. The mares, however, were being perfect teases.
    White Lily, after much fanfare, had finally consented to Caesar’s ministrations. Caesar was not new to his task, and Jamieson did not even have to hold him steady. Desert Rose, however, was a different story. The first time the mare was mounted, she tried to twist sideways, almost tearing Rheda’s arms from their sockets. But she managed to hold her still, and the second mounting ended successfully, with Caesar giving one final victorious grunt.
    She walked Desert Rose around the corral as she wiped the sweat from her eyes. “How long do we rest him before we give White Lily another try?” she called to Jamieson.
    Jamieson scratched his head. “I’m not sure White Lily’s ready. She does not seem particularly impressed by Caesar.”
    Rheda handed Desert Rose to Jamieson, approached the