After the Kiss Read Online Free PDF Page A

a delivery at any moment now.”
    “Ah, your brother and his cattle. I should have known.”
    Phillip obviously heard them talking, because the earl returned up the head of the short drive to join them. “He’s not just any horse, Father,” he said, grinning as he had been for the past two hours.
    “That’s right,” Douglas piped up. “He’s a thoroughbred.”
    “What stable?” the marquis asked.
    “Sullivan Waring’s.”
    Her father looked impressed. “You must have paid a pretty penny, then.”
    “A hundred and twenty quid for the two animals and training for Tibby’s mare.” He leaned closer. “Training from Waring himself. Our Isabel’s quite the negotiator.”
    Douglas grabbed her arm, making her jump. “You never said!” he exclaimed. “Sullivan Waring’s coming here?”
    She shook herself free. “For heaven’s sake, Douglas. Yes, a horse breeder’s coming here to deliver the horses we purchased from him.”
    “I thought chits knew all the good gossip,” her younger brother said with a grin. “Sullivan Waring ain’t just a horse breeder, though he’s a lion at that. He’s supposedly the by-blow of—”
    “Quiet. He’s here,” Phillip interrupted, sprinting for the entrance of the drive again.
    Mr. Waring clattered up the drive, riding a spectacular black stallion, Ulysses and Zephyr in tow. In her admittedly unschooled opinion, Isabel thought Phillip had purchased the second-best stallion in Waring’s stable. Beautiful as the horses were, though, her gaze drifted to Sullivan Waring, his chestnut hair shot with gold, his easy, confident seat in the saddle, and the expression inhis ice-green eyes as they flicked across her face and traveled on to her father.
    “Lord Darshear,” he said, giving a brief nod as he dismounted.
    “Mr. Waring. What splendid animals.”
    “Thank you.” Waring glanced at Isabel again. “I do ask that you speak with your daughter, my lord. Zephyr is a fine mare, but not fit for a novice.”
    Shaking herself, Isabel stepped forward. “It’s your task to make her so, I believe. That is what I paid you for.”
    “Isabel,” her father chastised sharply, surprising her. “Mr. Waring, is Zephyr a dangerous animal?”
    All she needed was for her father to release Sullivan Waring from his obligation to remain close by; then the thief could vanish to God knew where, robbing willy-nilly. Even worse, she wouldn’t know why. Because while she adored a good mystery or a good secret, she hated when one was kept from her. Especially one that had kissed her.
    “No, Zephyr is fairly levelheaded,” the horse breeder interrupted, as though she hadn’t been speaking. “She’s been raised for breeding, however. I’ve never done more than put her on a lead.”
    With a frown her father looked over at Isabel. “I have to agree with Mr. Waring, then, Tibby. For your first mount, you should have an older, more gently bred mare who’s well experienced at carrying a novice rider.”
    Isabel lifted her chin. “I want Zephyr,” she said, using the same tone she’d favored when she’d been twelve and had wanted a particular new hat. But damnation, she seemed to be the only one who knew what this fellow was doing, and she had apparently developed an obsession to find out how and why. That silly craving she had for drama and excitement again. He looked to provide a great deal of it for her.
    “Tibby,” Phillip seconded, grimacing at her, “be reasonable.”
    “I am being reasonable,” she said. “You’ve all three been bragging about Mr. Waring’s skill with horses. I’m certain he will sufficiently train Zephyr so that I will be perfectly safe riding her.” She deliberately turned to gaze at Waring. “Isn’t that so, Mr. Waring?”
    He gave a stiff nod. “Of course, Lady Isabel.”
    She smiled brightly. “Because if anything should happen to me, you would be blamed for it.”
    Well, that had perhaps been a bit straightforward, but she didn’t know how