Free Telepathy of Hearts by Eve Irving Page B

willow- coloured lashes , her bright hazel eyes glittered green in delight at her deception.
    It was fair to say Eleanor was pretty proud of herself and she flushed a little with self- admiration.
    Matheus met her gaze, watching with interest as she mounted his destrier. Laughing to himself as he enjoyed the wicked expression of glee that had spread across her face.
    Oh mistress , I have never failed to break a filly yet, and you will be quite a delightful challenge. The best are always the ones who buck at the onset .
    Eleanor ’s self- satisfaction appeared to be short- lived , f or as she kicked the horse , he stood steadfast. Almost as if tethered. “Move for pity ’s sake, Simon move, ” she hollered, kicking the ribs of the beast with all her worth , but to no avail.
    Matheus put his fingers to his mouth and whistled. His destrier whinnied in response and set off back to its master, moving at a fair lick.
    Eleanor screamed. It was unlikely a scream of fright. She was an excellent horse woman and rarely unseated. It was more likely to be one born of her frustration.
    Laughter rang out as Matheus could contain himself no more.
    Eleanor was enraged. Her features twisted and her lips pouted. She glared at the master of her folly.
    His smile had become more of a winner ’s grin. He saw well from Eleanor ’s expression that if she could reach his sword, she would be drawing it. The destrier stopped at his master ’s feet. And was rewarded with a pat and an apple. Still chuckling, Matheus told his horse. “You get my Lady ’s apple, Simon, for she struggles against train ing to the whi s tle. ” Raising his head, he grinned at a very sorry looking E l eanor.
    â€œOn this occasion I will ignore the fact you are seated astride. It is most unseemly for a Lady to ride so, let alone my future bride. ”
    Eleanor did not reply. Her face was sour and her bottom lip protruded.
    He grinned at her and his eyes twinkled with a wicked intent. He said in a matter- of- fact tone, “You are even more beautiful when you sulk, Eleanor. Your mouth is quite lov e ly as it pouts and the best bit …yep , that ’s it …pray listen do you hear it? Silence. Whilst you sulk, you are not arguing with me. ” With that Matheus pulled himself up onto his mount just behind Eleanor. Gripping her waist, he pulled her back so far she was almost in his lap.
    She gasped. He wanted her to.
    You ’re held by a man, Mistress, not a boy.
    Eleanor struggled in his arms. But he just gripped her tighter, soaking up all her rage. Pressing his mouth to her neck he breathed softly, smiling upon her fine skin.
    She quivered.
    Matheus knew full well what he was doing. He wanted her to feel the awakening he had felt. Matheus was an ex p e rienced lover. He sensed she may not have completely u n derstood what was happening. But her body did and was preparing itself accordingly. For the first time in her life, he knew she found herself having to fight the overwhelming desires of her body. And he delighted in it.
    Matheus wanted her to acknowledge the female force in her. He want ed her to relax into his hold, a nd succumb to the scent of man, muscle and horse.
    Trembling slightly from the confusion of her sexual awakening, Eleanor was wriggling and writhing against him, trying to break the bonds that held her. Her whimpering only excited him more.
    Feel it … My little She- Wolf; you ’re all mine. Even your body answers mine.
    Matheus was not shocked by her panic. In his arms, pressed to his chest, he held an untried maid. Of course she wanted to break free of him and run a s fast and as far as she could, away from the realisation that a man could touch the very core of her. Just as he was not Edmund, she was not Elizabeth. Matheus understood the feeling of guilt and b e trayal any stirring of passion would provoke.
    He knew too he had to be masterful with her. Like it or not she needed a strong