Heart of Courage (20 page)

As Thor had urged, before she rode out that morning, she carefully checked to be certain no unknown person watched the stable or the house. It might be foolish, but sometimes caution was the wiser course. As expected, Thor waited for her in the copse of trees east of the house and they rode together to the ruins.

Lindsey steeled herself against the turbulent emotions she felt as he lifted her down from the saddle and tried to control the soft thudding of her heart. She wished she could turn and ride away, never have to see him again, put an end to these feelings that would only grow more painful.

“Are you ready to try the fences?” he asked, saying nothing of the fierce night of passion they had shared.

Lindsey was grateful. She could do this—she could pretend nothing had changed between them. But she would have to gird herself against the powerful feelings she had finally come to realize she held for him.

“I am more than ready.” She approached where Saber grazed peacefully at the end of his tether and her eyes widened in surprise. “You saddled him!”

He nodded. “He was used to it once. It wasn't so hard to convince him.”

She gave him a lighthearted smile. “I suppose you just asked him and he agreed.”

The edge of Thor's mouth faintly curved. “It took a bit more than that.”

Turning to the stallion, hoping to build on the bond they had been forming, Lindsey approached the horse. Saber's head jerked up as he caught sight of her in masculine clothes, but at the sound of her voice, he calmed. They repeated the procedure they had used each night, letting him get used to her, riding slowly then increasing the pace, exercising in the meadow for more than an hour.

“I think he is ready,” Lindsey said as she returned to where Thor waited.

“Horace Nub says Saber has raced before. It was one of the reasons Burke wanted to buy him. I have worked with him on the hedges, but he will take them much easier with your lighter weight on his back.”

And so she set off, putting him through his paces, trotting then cantering, galloping, then running flat out. Excitement built as she settled him into a rhythmical canter and aimed him toward the first fence, a low hedge with flat ground on both sides, an easy, confidence-building jump. Saber took the fence with ease and she couldn't stifle a grin.

She moved him on to a harder target, a hedge that sloped down on the opposite side, then to a wide water jump, a low stone wall, then a higher wall a little ways away.

By the end of the afternoon, she was elated. The horse was a natural, the kind of animal who focused his entire attention on the obstacle in his path and took pleasure in conquering whatever lay in front of him. She was sure the stallion would give all he had in the race he must win to save his life.

Saber was glistening with sweat, Lindsey's muscles sore, by the time horse and rider rode up to Thor. Grinning, she jumped down from the saddle before he had time to reach her and handed him the reins.

“He is wonderful—a true champion, Thor. He is everything you believed he would be.”

He nodded, a wide smile on his face. “He wants to please you. He will run his heart out for you, Lindsey.”

She slid her hand along the animal's sweat-damp neck. “I'll come tomorrow and the day after that. I told them there was a sick child in the village whose mother was a friend and needed my help. So far it seems to be working.”

Thor just nodded. All afternoon, she had managed to keep her distance. Thor must have sensed her effort to put some space between them for he made no move to approach her. From the start, he had tried to make her see it could never work between them. Perhaps he believed she had finally realized he was right.

“I wish I could stay,” she said, not meaning a word of it, eager to escape her unwanted feelings for him. “I have to get back before my aunt begins to worry.”

He glanced away. When he looked at her again, his fierce blue gaze was guarded. “I appreciate what you are doing.”

She only nodded, turned away from him with a heavy heart and started for her horse. Thor lifted her into the saddle and she ignored a tremor of longing.

She cleared her throat. “You didn't mention Penelope Barker. You didn't find out anything more?”

“Not yet. You will remember to be careful.”

“I will remember.” She wanted so much to touch him, lean down and kiss him, knew what would happen if she did. After last night, she understood as she never had before. She had a different future ahead of her, a different life to live—one that did not include Thor. It was time to end their affair.

“I have to go,” she said, the words thick in her throat.

His beautiful blue eyes moved over her face but he made no move to stop her.

Lindsey glanced away, unable to look at him a moment more. Wheeling her horse, she rode off across the meadow.

Remember to be careful,
he had said. She wished she had remembered before she had fallen in love with him.

H
olding onto Saber's reins, Thor stood some distance away from the crowd, anxiously awaiting Lindsey's arrival. The riders were taking their places at the starting line. Still, she had not come.

Mayhap it is for the best,
he told himself, then felt a wash of relief he should not have felt as he spotted her running toward him in her man's riding clothes, her hair stuffed up under a black billed-hunt cap.

“I am sorry I am late,” she said breathlessly. “I had to wait until everyone else left the house.”

“So you did not change your mind.”

She shook her head, smiled. “I told them I was a bit under the weather. I said I would join the group later if I began to feel better.”

“And your aunt and the others believed you?”

“They know I love the derby. I wouldn't miss it unless I was ill. Krista offered to stay with me but I told her I planned to return to bed and that she and Leif should go on and enjoy themselves.”

He scowled. “I do not know if I like that you are such a good liar.”

Lindsey grinned. “It will be worth it if I win the race.”

Hidden from view behind the wide trunk of a tree, he cupped her face in his hands. “Promise me you will not take any chances.”

“Of course not,” she said flippantly, making him even more fearful. He gave her a quick, hard kiss, and lifted her up on the horse. He walked the pair around for a bit, while Lindsey petted and spoke to the horse.

Then he watched with his heart in his throat as she waved and rode off to the starting line to take her position among the other entries, who seemed stunned to see the big black stallion among the contestants. The starting pistol fired before Saber had time to grow nervous, and Lindsey and the stallion jolted into motion, bolting off the starting line, setting a ground-eating pace that would separate the true contenders from the rest of the pack before they reached the quarter turn.

Thor watched horse and rider take the first hedge in third position, Saber completely focused on the obstacle in front of him, Lindsey giving the stallion just the right commands to clear the hedge and land neatly on the opposite side. Another few jumps and the pack disappeared out of sight, leaving Thor staring after them, terrified something would go wrong.

The horses were off and running, thundering around the makeshift two-and-a-half-mile racecourse that had been laid out for the event. His heart was pounding, hammering away inside his chest. Thor said a silent prayer that Lindsey would come back unharmed.

He glanced at the cheering crowd around him. The entire village and dozens of people from around the countryside had turned out for the race. Lindsey's aunt and her friends watched from a few feet away, while Leif and Krista, Coralee and her husband, Gray, stood next to Thor. The tension was thick in the air, the excitement almost tangible. A lot of money had been bet on the race, most of it on Merrick's champion bay stallion, Fleet Journey.

Thor turned his attention to his brother and Krista, his worry, now that Lindsey was out of sight, continuing to build. How could he have let her ride the stallion? What had he been thinking? And what of the vast amount of money his brother and Krista had wagered?

“If we lose,” he said to Leif, staring off toward the place where the horses would eventually reappear, “I will find a way to pay you back.”

“It's a wager,” Leif said. “Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. That is the risk you take. Besides, Saber made an excellent start. The race isn't over until the first horse crosses the finish.” He surveyed Thor's worried expression. “So tell me again who this young man is you convinced to ride in your stead.”

Thor glanced away, hating to lie to his brother. He never should have agreed to Lindsey's mad plan. Even now, she could be out there, injured or even—He broke off the thought, swallowed against an image of her lying beside a stone wall, her beautiful body battered and broken. “The lad is a friend.”

Leif continued to assess him. “Whoever he is, he seems an excellent choice. A fine rider, light and skillful, and Saber appeared to accept him without a problem.”

Thor just nodded. It wasn't his place to reveal Lindsey's secret. It was her decision to make should she wish her friends to know. “Do you see any sign of them yet?”

“Not yet, but it won't be long. Whoever is left in the field should be coming over that rise any minute.”

Thor stared off in that direction. Inside his chest, his heart beat dully. Worry tied a knot in his stomach.

What have I done?

At the sound of a taunting male voice, he looked up to see Harley Burke sauntering toward him. “You really think that black devil will make the finish?”

Thor's jaw hardened. “Aye.”

“I'm betting the fool you convinced to ride him is lying out there somewhere in the dirt. Want to wager a little extra on it?”

Thor felt sick to his stomach. Lindsey lying hurt or dead. He couldn't bear the thought. To say nothing of gambling more money he couldn't afford to lose.

Still, he couldn't stand the smug expression on Harley Burke's face. “I will match whatever—”

“Here they come!”

The words ended the discussion, and Thor's gaze shot to the group of horses and riders who were just now cresting the hill, the pack less than half the number of those who had started the race. He strained to see Saber and Lindsey but couldn't spot them and his insides churned with fear.

The pack drew closer and his heart took a leap. The huge black stallion and its slender rider thundered into view, pulling out of the group that included the Renhurst entry, a sorrel named Sweet Vengeance; and Fleet Journey, the viscount's prized Thoroughbred hunter.

“It's her, isn't it?” This from Krista, who was jumping up and down with excitement. “It's Lindsey!” She grinned as if she wished she were the one in the saddle.

Thor cast her a glance. “She was afraid you would try to stop her.”

“Are you kidding? I just wish I could—”

“Not a chance,” Leif said.

The stallion began pulling ahead, and Thor caught Burke's foul curse.

“She's winning!” Krista exclaimed. “She's going to win Saber for you!”

Thor couldn't breathe. He had never seen anything so beautiful as the magnificent black stallion and the woman who risked herself to win him, riding full speed toward the finish line. Both of them were champions of the highest caliber and he had never felt so proud.

Horse and rider pounded full speed across the finish and Krista let out a yell. “She did it! She won!”

And done it a good half length ahead of Merrick's horse, Fleet Journey, who came in second, followed by the Renhurst entry. Fourth place was a tie between two horses entered by residents of the village.

Lindsey rode up to Thor, Saber sweating and prancing beneath her, still full of fire after his victory. Her grin was wider than Thor had ever seen it. “We did it!”

“Aye, that you did. I would haul you down and kiss you but I do not think it would look right for a man to be kissing his jockey.”

She laughed and the sound filled his heart.

“He needs to be cooled down, but I've got to get out of here before someone sees me and figures out who I am.”

“I will cool him down.”

Lindsey swung a leg over Saber's neck and jumped down like a man, grinned up at him and let out a whoop of glee. Everyone was moving toward them, beginning to form a circle around the prancing black stallion. Saber spotted the approaching crowd and snorted in protest, whinnied, and went up on his hind legs.

“Stay back,” Thor warned. “He is not used to so many people.” One look at the wild-eyed stallion sent them all backing up several paces. Lindsey took the moment to slip away, pausing a moment when Krista caught her hand.

“You were wonderful! You both were!”

Lindsey grinned. “Winning feels really good!” She glanced around, saw people coming toward her. “I'll be back as soon as I change.” She disappeared into the woods, and Thor walked the stallion in circles for a while, then led him a safe distance away and tethered him to a tree. When he returned to the cheering revelers, they began to pat him on the back and congratulate him on winning the race. He was smiling when he spotted Harley Burke stalking toward him.

Thor straightened. “I claim the horse, as is my due.”

“That isn't going to happen since you cheated. You didn't ride the horse—someone else did.”

Leif stepped up beside Thor. “The bet was whether or not the horse could win and he did. The stallion belongs to my brother.”

“And I say he still belongs to Merrick and we put the bastard down.”

The crowd parted around them and from the center of the circle, Stephen Camden, Viscount Merrick emerged, immaculately dressed as always, his blond hair perfectly combed and not a strand blowing in the slight afternoon breeze.

“The man won the horse,” Merrick said. “I made the bet and I lost.” Thor felt a grudging respect he didn't want to feel, considering the viscount might be a murderer.

“Thank you,” Thor said.

Merrick speared Burke with a glare that said,
he handled the stallion, why couldn't you?
Then he turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Thor felt a burst of elation. Saber belonged to him. His dream had become a real possibility and all because of Lindsey.

More well-wishers surrounded him. Lady Ashford, Lindsey's aunt, made a point of seeking him out. “Congratulations. Your stallion was amazing, Mr. Draugr. Of course, my niece is quite a good rider.”

Thor looked up in surprise. He couldn't help a grin. “I guess she is not so good a liar as she believes. For this I am grateful.”

“Yes, well, she has always been a marvelous rider and I have seen her dressed as a man before. For everyone's sake, I hope this is the last time.”

“I am afraid you will have to discuss that with Lindsey. Your niece has a mind of her own.”

Lady Ashford sighed. “I can't imagine where she gets that.” But it was clear from the look her escort, the colonel, cast her way the lady was of a similar disposition.

Thor took a deep breath. The victory felt good, but in truth, he just wanted to be with Lindsey.

And yet he was no fool. In the past few days, she had begun to put up barriers, finally realizing, he was sure, how poorly they were suited. It was time to end their affair and though it was the last thing he wanted, he had known from the start this day would come. In this he would respect her wishes.

Still, he needed to speak to her. In the village this morning, he had discovered some interesting information, gossip that might concern Lord Merrick. Thor prayed what he had found out would not turn out to be true.

 

Lindsey did not see Thor until late in the afternoon. Though she wanted nothing so much as to celebrate their victory together, she had gone out of her way to avoid him. Thor seemed to have guessed the reason. Though he couldn't know she was in love with him, he always seemed able to read her thoughts.

Which was the reason she was surprised when he sought her out toward the end of the celebration.

“I need a word with you before you leave.”

She glanced away, then back to him, her heart thudding painfully. “What is it?”

“In the village before the race, a man approached me. I have not seen him before and he would not give me his name. He said I should go to the town of Alsbury. I should seek out a woman named Martha Barker, Penelope Barker's mother. He said I should ask what she knows of her daughter's disappearance.”

“Do you think he was the man who wrote the note?”

“I do not know. I had been asking questions about the girl. The man may have heard and wished to provide information.”

“We must go to Alsbury right away.”

“I can go alone if—”

“I want to be there.”

He just nodded.

“Some of the guests have already left for the city. Those who remain will be leaving early in the morning. I will meet you at the edge of the village on the road leading to Alsbury at ten o'clock tomorrow morning.”

He agreed to meet her but didn't say more, though she sensed he wanted to. He understood what was happening, realized she had decided to end their affair. She knew he would not press her to resume their relationship—not unless she wanted him to.

Dear God, she wanted that so much.

Instead, she lifted her skirts and hurried back to her friends, her aunt, and their guests.

 

The village of Alsbury nestled in the hills a three-hour journey away. In the Renhurst carriage, Lindsey arrived at the appointed meeting place just outside Foxgrove. Wordlessly, Thor climbed in and settled his big frame on the seat across from her. Only a few days ago, he would have sat beside her, perhaps pulled her into his arms.