The Wager Read Online Free PDF

that
way you should have reneged. As you didn't, well, now 'tis
the time for me to call the tune. Follow me, or do I need tie the
horses?
    "No, I will follow," she said.
"For what is the point of deprecating? It happened, I bowed, and agreed to your demand." Catherine settled deep into the
saddle, and patted the mare, who whickered softly. As
she allowed her mount to tuck close behind his horse, she could not but admire
the spirited steed he swung up onto it. Neither could she stop the frisson of
excitement that coursed through her, making every nerve end tingle. She had not
felt so aware since she last crossed words with him.
    Her horse, Misty, Brook had told her, plodded behind his, as the path wound its way
between the tress. They were densely planted and not easy to see between.
Several times he seemed to change direction for no reason, and Catherine wondered
what was going on. Were they doubling back on themselves, or was he
deliberately trying to disorient her? On occasion a tiny glade would appear,
and once a waterfall that fell down a sheer rock face for five or six feet, its
base covered with tiny spring flowers. She would have loved to stop and pick
some, to walk around the area, and enjoy the serenity she sensed there. Brook
ignored them and continued on his less than straightforward route. After a
while, although she was entranced by those tiny glimpses of something other
than trees, Catherine was bored by the ride and beginning to get other ideas
about the man ahead of her. His seat on his horse was straight, his back
elegant, and his buttocks taut. Why had she been so altruistic in the past? If that
was what she had been. Now she thought perhaps the
word for her action was 'foolish'.
    The track twisted around a shallow pond, the
water in it dark and full of weeds. Catherine shivered and her horse
sidestepped as her movement projected to the animal. She soothed her with a few
soft words and averted her eyes from the disgusting water. For one brief second
her imagination had gone haywire. All she could think was what a good place it
was to hide a body.
    Brook slowed his horse and turned to her.
    "Are you game for a gallop? We can skirt
the edge of a field in a moment, and it is a perfect place to ride freely. Then
it is but a few moments to our destination."
      She
nodded, and bit her lip to stop herself asking where that destination was. Why
had he asked her to come to the court if he had no intention of stopping there?
What about Betsy and her luggage?   In fact, just what have I let myself in for?
    They emerged from the trees and she saw the
field ahead. Her head raced, there was not much more enjoyable than a good
gallop, and it had been many a month since she had the opportunity to indulge
so. She intended to make the most of it.
    With a brief glance behind — at her, presumably to make sure she was still
with him — Brook set his horse
away at a canter and then an easy gallop. With a rush of adrenaline that filled
her body, and made her skin sting she urged Misty on. The little mare
responded, and Catherine gave herself up to the thrill of the ride. In her mind
it didn't last anywhere near long enough. It may be a hundred acre field, but
it was soon crossed. She saw Brook slowing his mount and she did the same. By
the time the far fence was reached both horses were walking.
    "Oh that was magnificent," she
exclaimed. "I have not had so good a ride in an age."
    He laughed and raised one eyebrow. "Do you
enjoy a good ride, Catherine? I must remember that." His let his eyes
sweep over her body, and an instant heat flushed
through her, as she understood his meaning. She may still be innocent in many
things, but her relationship with him years before had not been without its moments. Catherine flushed, and wished his
shin was handy to kick. There was no instant riposte in her brain, so she
stayed silent.
    "No reply? You disappoint me Catherine, I
thought you to be more spirited than that. But then, you agreed