Angel in Black Read Online Free PDF

of her. “But I suppose you are old enough t’ wear what you like. I declare, no man will want you as wild an’ unruly as you are. Lord knows, I did me best t’ raise you right.”
    Rina laughed and pecked Jenny on the cheek; wiped the flour from her nose. “Stop your fretting. You know I love you, don’t you?” Getting Jenny to smile, she disappeared through the door, practically running to the shed where Blackstar waited.
    He heard Rina approach and excitedly called to her, pawing the ground with impatience. He always knew when they would be going for a ride and he quivered from anticipation. She grabbed his bridle and using the wooden boards of his stall, slid onto his broad, muscular back, foregoing the saddle on this hot day. She guided him from the shack and onto the cobbled road, skillfully holding his eagerness back.
    Anxious to stretch his muscles, Blackstar skittishly pranced through town but when they reached the edge of the village, Rina gave the animal his freedom and he bolted into a run.
    Down the road to Windsong they raced; rider and horse as one. The magnificent black stallion stretched his powerful legs, carrying them as fast as the wind, streaking past the countryside in a blur.
    It was at times like these, with the wind blowing in her face and Blackstar thundering down the road, Katrina was truly happy. All the problems haunting her vanished. No one existed but Rina and Blackstar. She allowed him to run, to ease the tension of being cooped up from him. As they approached Windsong, she slowed his pace. Her cheeks were warm, feverish from the tantalizing speed, her breathing labored from excitement.
    The tumultuous ride whipped her hair loose from the braid and it hung in wild disarray about her shoulders. Rina attempted to straighten the unruly mess and ran her fingers through the tangles. She found it hopeless and gave up, not one to care how she looked, but thankful Jenny was not there to disapprove. She rode straight to the stables, where she was greeted fondly by Jenkins, the old stable master. Rina entered Windsong through the servants’ entrance and made her way to the kitchen. She greeted the cook and sat to chat for a moment, enjoying a cool glass of lemonade. After, she was taken to Lord Roberts’ chamber. Rina knocked softly and entered.
    “Come in — come in, Rina my girl. I’m so glad you took the time to come and see a dying old man.” Feebly, Lord Roberts held up a hand to Rina. She clasped it with her own; it felt cold.
    “Please, Lord Roberts, you mustn’t talk so. You will be well soon.” Though she spoke confidently, her heart ached at the sight of the man so pale and gaunt in his sick bed.
    “I’m afraid not, Rina — my time has come. But you needn’t grieve; I’ve had a full life and have been blessed beyond measure. Now — no more talk of death. I can see you have been riding that black beast. You look absolutely radiant.” Lord Roberts smiled, his weakened gaze taking in every detail of her appearance. “You do love the horse, don’t you?”
    “Yes, he is one of my most prized possessions. I can never thank you enough for your gift.”
    “It is I who owe you thanks, my dear. You saved his mother and him, for I most certainly would have lost them both had it not been for you. You were here for days, sleeping in the barn with her, tending to her hours on end.” He sighed at the memory.
    “I still remember the first time my stable master sent for you. He was certain you could help when everyone else had failed. That was four years ago, wasn’t it? You were fifteen years old and scrawny. I saw you work magic with the beasts, and since you have always come when we needed you. Blackstar was merely a token of my sincere appreciation and gratitude for coming into my life. I know you two belong together — you were meant to have him, Rina.”
    Rina blushed; his sincere praise touched her heart. “You have been more than generous, Lord Roberts. I can never repay