Free Desperate and Daring 01 - Desperate and Daring by Ella J. Quince Page B

took his leave.
    “Riding must be an important skill to the duke. Perhaps he is in exceptional health despite his advanced age.”
    “Except for his ankle,” Violet added.
    Lady Everly frowned at Violet. “Be that as it may, I now regret not having you ride as much as your father wished it. You must have a gentle mount to display your best capabilities. I shall ask Lady Endervale which horse she would suggest.
    “Yes, Mother,” Heather said dutifully. She doubted the duke really cared about her riding abilities, but a ride with Fallon meant getting away from the house with only just the two of them. She couldn’t wait!

Chapter 9
    Fallon requested a horse of gentle temperament for Heather and instructed his own horse be saddled. He was in the drive inspecting Heather’s horse when Lord Rigsby and Lord Draven galloped up the drive, slowing as they came to the portico.
    “Morning, Calder. Going for a ride as well?” Lord Rigsby said jovially.
    “Yes, my lord. I am escorting Miss Everly on a ride to evaluate her capabilities. The duke is a horse enthusiast.
    Draven snorted. “Putting her through her paces, so to speak?”
    Fallon cut him a glance before returning his attention to his horse. “So to speak,” he said gruffly.
    “That is a fine specimen you’ve got there,” Rigsby went on. “Is it yours?”
    “It’s one of the many fine specimens the duke keeps in his stables.”
    “Really?” Draven said with interest. “And he lets his steward ride them?”
    “Maxim needs to be ridden daily. I am one of the few the duke trusts to see to his care. The duke always travels with him.”
    “Very interesting…” Draven dismounted and handed his reins off to a groom. He approached Maxim and ran his hand down his neck. “Stunning,” he said with admiration. “The spawn of Sir Ewan and Anastasia. A Clydesdale and a Tersk. I’ve read about him.”
    Fallon hid his surprise. “That’s correct, my lord.”
    “An exceptional animal, and extremely rare. How did the duke come by him?”
    This Fallon could answer easily. “The duke owns a castle in the highlands that borders the farm where Maxim was sired. He is indeed one of a kind, but the duke is acquainted with the breeder.”
    “Wallace, yes. I’ve had the privilege of meeting him myself. Can’t understand a word he says, but he has a gift with horses.”
    “Ah, the Scottish brogue is music to my ears, but comparable to screaming cats to others,” Fallon said in a deep Scottish burr.
    Rigsby and Draven both looked at him in surprise.
    “Are you a Scotsman, Calder?” Rigsby laughed.
    “Not by birth, but I spend quite a bit of my time managing that estate. It rubs off,” Fallon said in perfect English.
    Draven remained silent.
    Fallon ignored him. “If you will excuse me, my lords, Miss Everly will be here momentarily.
    Rigsby and Draven moved on into the house. Fallon waited until they were beyond the foyer before entering as Heather was coming down the stairs. She wore a riding habit of deep grey, like the color of thunder clouds, and her hair was tamed into a knot below a jaunty hat. He felt his mouth go dry as she caught sight of him and smiled.
    *
    Rigsby and Draven were headed for their rooms when they spied two women in the gallery acting suspiciously.
    “What’s this now?” Draven drawled and headed in their direction. The gentlemen shared a glance before coming up behind them stealthily.
    Lucy spun around before her brother could pounce. “Really, Jonathan. When will you ever learn?”
    “How’d you know it was me?” Jonathan whined.
    “You reek of horses, both of you.”
    Anabelle turned, her gaze flicking over Lord Draven’s impeccable attire, before politely—though without an ounce of warmth or welcome, nodding and turning back to the scene in the foyer.
    “What is so enthralling?” Draven’s deep voice said beside her as he stepped up to the railing and looked down. His hand rested perilously close to hers. Anabelle scooted