Free Let Love Find You by Johanna Lindsey Page A

month. The whole family will adjourn to the country for the celebration.” She jotted down the location and the date for Devin. “I’ll think of something to make sure Rafe holds off buying a mount for himself in the meantime.”
    “As you wish.”
    Devin waited until she’d put the bill of sale away and they were walking toward the front of the stable before he reminded her, “You know I gave your sister-in-law good advice. She took offense and, as you said, was out there snarling at the grass because of it. Now, after what she heard, she’d sooner spit at me than work with me toward her goal.”
    “She’s simply touchy about her situation, and that’s quite understandable. All of her friends have found husbands. She’s the only one who hasn’t.”
    “Which proves she’s too bloody particular,” he said under his breath as he opened the stable door for Lady Ophelia.
    “I heard you, but I disagree. You said it yourself, attraction must come first and—” She paused as she looked outside. “Oh, my, I think that requirement has been met. Who is that handsome young man sitting next to Amanda, enthusiastically talking her ear off? She seems quite enthralled by him.”
    “Kendall Goswick, the Earl of Manford,” Devin answered, surprised to see Kendall there. “He’s been a client of mine ever since he came of age last year and shook off his guardians. Quite the horse fancier he is. If you can’t get Amanda back on a horse, he’s not for her.”
    “Really?”
    “Really. The man spends most of his days in the saddle when he doesn’t have to! He doesn’t just love horses, he’s a bit obsessive about them and thinks nothing of hying off to other countries to track down new mounts for his stable, now that he has control of his purse strings. He must have just returned from Ireland. He went there a few weeks ago to buy a mare he heard about.”
    They’d been noticed. Kendall gave Devin a jaunty hail and came over to meet Ophelia. Devin introduced them. Amanda wasn’t looking the least bit furious as she joined them. She couldn’t seem to take her eyes off the young man.
    “Was your trip successful?” Devin asked Kendall.
    “Indeed! You’re going to be amazed when you see this mare, Devin, and, yes, you can still have the first filly. I’ll bring her round in the spring to—er—”
    “Of course,” Devin said to spare the lad more blushing over mentioning Devin’s stud service in mixed company.
    Kendall said to Ophelia, “You must be Lady Amanda’s chaperone? I was just about to ask her if she would be agreeable to my accompanying her for a ride some morning in the city, perhaps in Hyde Park? I’ve heard they have extensive riding paths there, though I haven’t been to the city yet to find out. Would that be permissible, Lady Ophelia?”
    The smile disappeared from Amanda’s face. Devin noticed that she cringed slightly at the idea. Of course she couldn’t say yes when she didn’t ride!
    But before the young man noticed Amanda’s reaction, Ophelia quickly said, “Why don’t you come for tea this week and we can discuss it. I’m sure her brother, Rafe, would like to meet you.”
    “Of course, what a dunce I am, first things first!” Lord Kendall eagerly agreed.
    They spoke a bit more, directions were given to Ophelia’s town house, and the young man actually bent to kiss Amanda’s hand as they parted, leaving her blushing and smiling again.
    Back in the coach, Ophelia said triumphantly, “See, I knew Devin Baldwin would be able to help!”
    “ He didn’t arrange that meeting,” Amanda began sharply, then sighed. “Thank you for that rescue. I simply couldn’t think of what to say to Lord Kendall when he mentioned riding.”
    “That might be a problem,” Ophelia said carefully. “Or was I merely imagining that you seemed to like the young earl?”
    Amanda grinned. “Was it that obvious? What wasn’t there to like about him? Handsome and charming!”
    “But he’s an avid