Free Diane R. Jewkes by The Heart You Own Page B

add a new dimension to men’s clothing.”
    He fought the desire firing through his veins. “I don’t think I’ll ever look at denim the same.” His eyes traveled up her body and he smiled slowly.
    Her face went up in flame.
    “You insufferable, arrogant ass! Just who do you think you are, talking to me like I’m some … some — ” The horses began tossing their heads nervously as her voice got louder. “You might talk to people like that back where you come from. But mister,” she continued, almost shouting, her hands gripping the top of the stall door, her knuckles white, “not here — not to me. And to think, I was about to reconsider my opinion of you. Silly me.”
    He saw the fury sparking in those incredible blue eyes. She was standing so close he could feel the heat radiating from her body.
    She backed up a few steps. “I thought maybe a man whose horse liked him couldn’t be all bad, but you know what?” her voice softened. “I was wrong.”
    With a thump, Titan pinned Hawke against the stall, making him gasp out an “oomph.”
    “Get off me, you bloody coward.” He pushed against the jittery horse pinning him against the wall. “She likes you, you’ve got no worries, it’s my hide she wants to nail to the barn door.”
    Hawke watched Kara stomp into the other stall and begin grooming her horse. The animated brushstrokes reminded him of the first night on the balcony.
    Better make amends, laddie.
    Leading Titan, Hawke walked quietly to the stall where she was. “Miss Jonston — Kara,” he said softly, holding up his hand to stop any protest, or possible attack. “It appears we’ve gotten off to a bad start, and I’m to blame. I have not behaved in a gentlemanly manner. Please accept my apologies.”
    Ignoring him at first, she turned and grabbed her blanket and saddle and set about saddling her horse.
    “Lord Stoneham … Mr. Pryce … . ” Exasperated she finally looked at him, “Just what am I supposed to call you? This pussyfooting around your last name or your title is wearing. Just what is your name and what do you want me to call you?”
    Unfazed by the change of subject, part of him thought wickedly of a number of things he’d like to hear her call him, and the situation he’d like to be in when she did. However, he decided not to goad her temper again this morning. “My full name is Hawke Ian Edward James Pryce, Lord Stoneham, future Earl of Lochay, but I’d be most pleased,” he ventured politely, “if you would call me Hawke, and allow me to address you by Kara.”
    “That’s another thing,” she continued, not warming to his courtly manner. “What kind of name is Hawke? I half expect to wake some morning and see you flying from the top of the barn.”
    • • •
    Deep laughter made her look up. He was amused at her attempted cut.
    “Weel, lass,” he purposely accentuated his burr, “I’d have to be agreein’ with you there. ’Tis a silly eno’ name.”
    Returning to his normal voice, he said, “Actually, I was unfortunate enough to be named after some ancestor who rode with The Conqueror. It is, in fact, how we received our land and titles. In gratitude the first sons are always named Hawke.”
    Kara found herself wanting to ask him more. His world was so different from hers. He lived in the world of her books, a land of long and fascinating history that had always captivated her imagination.
    She tried to ignore the soft words. His voice, so deep and smooth, caressed her senses, making her all too aware of him. She’d be damned before she would let him off easily. With his easy smile and those beautiful eyes, she’d be tempted to give in. She wanted to nurture her anger, not be wheedled out of it.
    What are you doing? she chided herself . You don’t want to know more about this man … you want this man gone. Quit being drawn in by his accent and those eyes the color of a stormy sky and leave.
    “Well … Hawke, or whatever.” She tried to act