Lord Dearborn's Destiny Read Online Free PDF Page B

ourselves," replied Ellie calmly. In truth, she feared they would be mounted on slugs otherwise. That might be well enough for Rosalind, but she intended to select a beast with some spirit, if one could possibly be had.
    "Certainly, miss, right this way," said the groom, leading them to a selection of four or five riding horses. To Ellie's delight, she recognized the spunky little mare she had ridden in Birmingham before the family's removal to London.
    "They brought Firefly along! Saddle her for me please, William," she directed the groom. "And I think Molly will do well for Miss Winston-Fitts, won't she, Rosie?"
    Rosalind nodded dubiously. "I rode her once before, did I not?" she asked, eyeing the large chestnut mare.
    "Yes, and you stayed on perfectly well," Ellie reminded her. "Here, give her a carrot and she will remember you, too." She seized one from a bin behind her. "Hold your hand flat, like that. Right."
    "Her nose is so soft!" exclaimed Rosalind in surprise after the carrot had disappeared in one loud crunch.
    "Go ahead and stroke it. Molly won't bite," Ellie assured her. She was doing the same with Firefly, becoming reacquainted with her favourite mount. She wondered if her uncle had arranged to have her brought to London; he occasionally surprised her with such evidences of thoughtfulness, she thought with a smile. Just then, she felt something rubbing against her skirts and looked down.
    "Where did you come from, kitty?" she asked, reaching down to stroke the calico cat at her feet. "Look, Rosie, isn't she precious?" she said to her cousin, picking up the cat.
    To her surprise, Rosalind blanched and backed away. "Oh! Send it away, Ellie, please! I vow, cats frighten me to death!"
    "Goodness, I had no idea." Ellie quickly set the cat back on the straw. "Go on, kitty, shoo!" she said, gently nudging it away from Rosalind with her foot. The cat took the hint and went to dig through a pile of hay, no doubt in search of mice. "I'm sorry, Rosie."
    "You... you could not know," said Rosalind, her colour slowly returning. "My mother hates cats, and I have been afraid of them since I was a little girl. I'm not really certain why."
    "Doubtless something Aunt Mabel told you about them when you were young," theorized Ellie. "Never mind. I promise not to put one in your face again. Ah! Here are our horses."
    The groom helped them into their saddles before mounting the gelding he would ride to accompany them to the Park. Closely watching her cousin's inexpert riding, Ellie had no time to wonder why her own heart was fluttering at the thought of encountering Lord Dearborn there.  
     
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C HAPTER 4

    I T WAS a sparkling May morning, newly opened flowers wafting their scents on the gentle breeze while remnants of dew glinted in the sunshine. A perfect morning for a ride, thought Forrest as he urged his roan gelding to a brisk hand canter. Hyde Park was the most pleasant corner of London, in his opinion, particularly in the spring, though it was still a far cry from his own Huntington Park. In less than a month he would be back home, however, thanks to his mother's planned house party.
    Idly, he wondered how Miss Winston-Fitts would like his country estate. He tried to envisage the delight on her face when she first beheld the rambling manor house with its mullioned windows and climbing ivy, but failed utterly. The only expression he could recall seeing her wear was one of shy politeness. Not that that detracted from her charm, he told himself hastily. No, it simply added a becoming modesty to her other sterling qualities —most desirable in a wife, surely.
    Turning his horse to canter back in the direction of the Park gates, he looked up to see the object of his devotion just entering them, along with her cousin— what was her name? Miss O'Something —and a groom. The Earl urged his mount faster.
    "Well met, ladies," he called out, executing a neat half bow from the saddle. "You make