Free The Wolf's Promise by CLAIRE THORNTON Page B

cast one more glance at the mirror and turned to leave the room, but at the last minute she paused. She picked up her reticule and took out the letter from James Corbett, slipping it safely into a concealed pocket in the capacious riding skirts. It was the most valuable thing she possessed, and somehow it seemed to bring her closer to Harry. Besides, if it came to an argument with Benoît about how he was going to rescue her brother, she wanted to have all the facts at her fingertips.
    It was wonderful to be outside in the fresh air. Therewasn’t much warmth in the March sunshine, but the sky was still a clear blue. The damp cobblestones in the stableyard glistened in the bright morning light and the horses were glossy and sleek. Angelica hadn’t been riding for a long time, and she could hardly contain a thrill of anticipation at the prospect ahead of her.
    â€˜It’s a beautiful day!’ she exclaimed, almost dancing in her sudden light-heartedness.
    â€˜I can’t argue with that,’ said Benoît more sedately, but smiling at the vivid picture she made in the sunlight. ‘This is Billy,’ he added, rubbing the silky nose of a neat bay gelding. ‘My mother named him. She said she perceived a resemblance to Sir William in his countenance.’
    â€˜Oh, no!’ Angelica protested instinctively. ‘I mean…’
    The bay turned its head at the sound of her voice, flicking his ears disapprovingly. Then he struck the cobblestones a couple of times with an impatient forefoot and pulled against the groom’s restraining hand.
    Angelica laughed. ‘I think I can see what she means,’ she confessed.
    The groom grinned and spoke chidingly to the horse.
    â€˜And this is Dorcas,’ said Benoît, patting the shoulder of a quiet chestnut. ‘She’s my mother’s mare. Allow me to put you up, my lady.’
    He was standing right beside her, and she was suddenly deeply conscious of his nearness. Her heart began to beat faster and she knew she was blushing.
    â€˜Thank you,’ she said in a muffled voice.
    She was grateful that her face was turned away from him, and that she could blame any colour in her cheeks on the exertion of mounting.
    He tossed her up with an easy, confident strength which landed her securely in the saddle. He stepped back and watched as she gathered up the reins. She was very aware that she was under observation and tried to compose herself, as well as her mount.
    She told herself fiercely that she mustn’t allow her natural excitement at this welcome moment of freedom to blind her to the more serious issues at stake. And she certainly mustn’t let Benoît Faulkener use his undoubted charm and quick wits to put her at a disadvantage.
    Despite that, she had to resist the urge to fidget under his gaze, and she knew she was blushing even more rosily than before. She was unbelievably relieved when at last he nodded, as if satisfied, and swung himself up onto the bay.
    â€˜Thank you, Thomas,’ he said.
    The groom stepped back and watched them ride out of the stableyard.
    Angelica was suddenly aware that she was going to be quite alone with Benoît. In the past a groom had always accompanied her whenever she went riding, but Benoît had apparently given no thought to the matter.
    She wondered for a brief, almost panic-stricken moment whether she should insist that her coachman accompany them. In the circumstances it would be a perfectly reasonable request, but she decided against it almost immediately.Benoît might do his best to disconcert her, but she had no real fear that he might molest her—and it would be easier to find out more about him if no one else was within earshot.
    She glanced at him surreptitiously. He was sitting erect yet relaxed in the saddle, holding the reins in one hand, his other hand resting lightly on his lean, well-muscled thigh. He hadn’t troubled to wear a hat, and his raven hair