Trust (38 page)
Alistair noticed as she lost her playful and teasing mood. He followed the movement her eyes had made. Tavish was watching them intently with a thunderous look on his face. She sat up erect on her chair.
He tried to lighten her mood again and, bending his head, he whispered in her ear, “So, you’re up for punishment. A spanking, maybe?”
Sustaining Tavish’s glare, Sophia whispered to Alistair, “It’s your brother who deserves a spanking.”
Lachlann chuckled.
Oh, God. I’ve been overheard
. Sophia blushed.
Alistair fell in love with her pink cheeks and threw his head back in laughter, too happy to give a damn about Tavish.
Laughing at me? How dare you!
Sophia smacked Alistair’s biceps, “You brutish Highlander.”
“Seems we are in greater number here, my dear,” Tavish drawled from his position at the other end of the table. “You’d better behave.”
“Should I cower because of your greater numbers?” she rebuked, raising her chin.
“Tavish, you’re the one who should show care around Dr. Leibowitz here. She’s quite fearless,” Leonard chuckled, on his seat next to Tavish. “Threats don’t work well on her.”
“Are you a medical doctor?” Tavish’s brows almost met his hairline.
“No, I’m not. I’m a lawyer with a master’s who is finishing a PhD. Not a medic, a doctor.”
A doctor to be, you mean, Sophia
.
Tavish’s mouth dropped opened and stayed that way as he looked to Alice who just raised an eyebrow.
“What’s happening to Alistair Connor?” he asked his sister in a whisper.
“Do you ride, Sophia?” Leonard probed when they sat down in the drawing room. As she nodded, he asked. “Would you like to go riding with us tomorrow? There are some beautiful trails here.”
“It’s one of my favorite sports,” Sophia exclaimed, excited. “If I could, I would go riding every day. In Brazil, I have two horses. Well, not anymore, since I gave them to Felipe. Black Devil is the one I rode in Rio and Lightning stayed at our house in Mangaratiba. I miss them,” she sighed. “I used to go riding at least four times a week.”
“You can ride as much as you want here and at our stables in London,” Lachlann interjected. “I have some new horses that have just completed their training. I’m sending them to London in two or three weeks.”
“To London,” she breathed, excited and turned to Alistair, “you never told me your father had a stable in London. Where is it?” she asked Lachlann.
“Near Kew Gardens, in Richmond,” answered Tavish, dryly. “In fact, I take care of them.”
“Ah, I see,” her excitement deflated.
“But I oversee the stables at Hyde Park, Sophia,” Alistair threw daggers at Tavish and pulled Sophia into his embrace, “I’ll take you there when I get back. We can ride on Rotten Row. It’s beautiful.”
“Really? On Rotten Row?” she frowned.
How did I miss this?
“Rotten Row is-” Tavish started but stopped at the pointed look Sophia gave him.
“I know exactly what and where Rotten Row is, my lord. Isn’t it the most famous path? Called the King’s Drive? I’ve already ridden there,” she looked away, clearly dismissing him and turned to Lachlann. “Please, do tell me about the stables in Richmond.”
“Katherine, my wife, loved it there. It’s really beautiful. And the trails of Wimbledon Common and Richmond Park are some of the best for hacking in the south of England. More than three thousand acres of beautiful countryside right there for you. You won’t believe you are so close to Central London!”
“Ariadne has horse riding lessons twice a week at Hyde Park,” Alice said, “Why don’t you enroll Gabriela too? It’s a friendly, lively riding stable.”
“Does she like horses?” Alistair asked Sophia.
“Gabriela? She loves them. And she adores Kew Gardens.” Sophia stared at Alistair’s face. “You have to take us there.”
“The teachers there have a wealth of experience in developing the skills of capable riders and enthusiastic novices, Sophia. I can take you there,” Alice offered, “You don’t need to wait for Alistair-”
“Don’t you dare, Alice,” Alistair warned, seriously. “Sophia is
my
girlfriend, not yours. I’ll take her.” He put his hand over Sophia’s.
“Possessive, aren’t you, Brother?” Tavish leered at them.
Alistair’s face darkened, “Wouldn’t you be?”
“Indeed, Brother, indeed,” he ogled Sophia, from head to toe and back again, making Alistair’s temper seethe.
Lachlann discreetly nudged Tavish. “You can also go simply to ride for fun and relax. We’ll receive anyone who loves horses and riding. It will be
my
pleasure to take you there,” he offered, raising his brows at Tavish, “Make your plans with Alistair Connor and let me know. I’ll give you the first tour.”
“I’d love to, Lachlann. Thank you very much.” She smiled at him, “You are most kind.”
Alistair eyed her, measuring her. “One of the horses that arrived is just what I would recommend for you. Not too tall, not too nervous-”
Her laugh rang in the air. “Alistair Connor! With names like Black Devil and Lightning, my horses weren’t exactly small or meek.” She fished her iPhone from her jacket pocket and scrolled for photos. “Here. This is Black Devil.”
The picture showed a younger Sophia grinning at an equestrian ring, in full gear, seated on a huge, black stallion, its coat so black it seemed to shine midnight blue, with a white star on its forehead.
“You’re always surprising me.” He shook his head, his hair swinging softly. “What is his bred?” He cocked his head, studying the picture.
“He’s a Mangalarga Marchador. Typically Brazilian and very smooth with a light step, but powerful and huge.” She winked at him, “Just as I like.”
“Talk about contradictions,” he muttered and deviously chuckled. “Show me Lightning.”
“I have a video of us.” She touched the screen, “Mmm. Here.”
“Beautiful specimen,” he nodded as he watched the video, where a huge, pure white Andalusian stallion rubbed its head on Sophia’s hand. In turn, she stroked its muzzle and spoke softly. Then, gripping the reins and its long, shining mane, she put a foot on the fence and jumped on its bare back. She waved and galloped away at a fast pace, jumping over the other fence. His eyes widened and he laughed. “You’re crazy. Completely crazy.”
“Beautiful, isn’t he?” she said, longing showing in her voice, “I miss him.”
“Let me see.” Tavish, who had been watching her closely, rose from his place across the hearth, and sat on Sophia’s other side, purposely crowding her.
God! He’s a giant!
Sophia lifted her gaze to his turbulent one and, once more, her eyes fixed on his storming greens. His eyes were so alike and so different from Alistair’s. He frowned at her.
He’s doing this to intimidate you, Sophia. Don’t fall prey to his game
. Shaking herself inwardly, she played the video again for him.
Inexorably, Tavish’s hand reached for her phone, staring flabbergasted at the short video. He blinked at Sophia, when it ended, “Bareback?”
“I grew up on Lightning’s back,” she shrugged, dismissing her achievement. “And this is Black Devil.”
Leonard stared at the scene with an amused twinkle in his eyes. “He won’t last,” he whispered to Alice.
“I do hope so,” she murmured back.
“You’re an amazing rider,” Tavish couldn’t hide his surprise. “Can I see that video again?”
Alistair’s arm snaked around Sophia’s waist.
One more bewitched. But this woman is already mine. Find another one for yourself, Tavish Uilleam
. Alistair brought her closer to his body as she put on the video again for a gaping Tavish.
Is she yours, Alistair Connor? Are you sure?
“Aren’t you afraid of falling from these monsters?” Alistair asked Sophia.
“Hey!” She slapped his thigh. “They’re not monsters. They’re my babies.”
Oh, please, hit me; I’ll hit you, too
. He almost moaned. “If they’re the babies, I don’t want to imagine their fathers.”
“They’re just perfect.” Her face lit up. “Strong, powerful, intelligent, beautiful, and loyal companions. With a touch of wildness, like me. Always untamed,” she sighed, contently. “There’s nothing more beautiful or earthy, than a spirited horse. I do love them.”
“You do?” Alistair breathed, looking deeply into her eyes, enthralling her. “A touch of wildness? And untamed?”
“Yes,” she whispered back, “forever untamed.”
“So it’s decided, lass. A wild horse for you,” Lachlann promised, breaking the spell. “And for tomorrow, I’ll bring a spirited one for you. I hope you don’t end up with broken bones.”
“Give me her iPhone, Tavish, I want to see, too,” Alice demanded.
Sophia shook herself out of the trance Alistair put her in and looked at Lachlann. “Broken bones? Hah! You will see.”
Then her smile waned. “Ah, but I can’t go tomorrow. I haven’t brought my boots.”
“You’re not running away from this, Sophia,” Lachlann shook a finger at her. “We have riding boots here, ranging from sizes four to fifteen. For men and women.”
“Up for a race?” Alice proposed after passing Sophia’s phone to Leonard and her father, who passed it on to Elena and Alexander.
“I just love challenges.” She looked at Alistair. “You in?”
He smiled darkly at her, “Depends on the prize.”
Saturday, March 6
th
, 2010.
7.27 a.m.
Craigdale Castle was quiet at that time of the morning. Alistair and Sophia strolled along the loch, hand in hand, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand.
The mysterious waters of the loch, surrounded by the misty mountains rising from the Scottish earth, plunged Sophia into a state of dreaminess and deep restfulness.
They reentered the castle through the enormous double wooden doors. “Let me show you the other rooms.” He opened the door to a beautiful room all done in blue hues. “This is the blue drawing room. It was my mother’s favorite.”
Sophia looked at the huge painting of a woman hanging over the mantel. “Your mother?”
“Aye.”
They stood there for a moment looking at the serene and beautiful dark haired woman with sparkling blue eyes painted with Craigdale Castle in the background.
“She was ravishing,” Sophia murmured, seeing great similarity between mother and son. She took in the room. “What a beautiful grand piano.” Her hand caressed the lid, longingly.
Since Gabriel’s kidnapping I haven’t-
She shooed the thought away.
“My mother used to play for us every night. She taught us all to play it too.”
She stared at him, “You play? You never told me.”
“We all do,” he smiled. “I love playing the piano. One day I’ll play for you. Come, we have more rooms to see and I want to parade you by the pool.”
“Parade me?” she giggled and rose her brows at him, “How dare you, Alistair Connor. I’m not a mare being shown at a county fair.”
“No,” with two steps he drew near and pulled her into his arms, “you’re not. You’re a beautiful woman. One that any man would proudly show off on his arm.” He bent his head to kiss her, crushing her in his arms and she forgot all about pianos and mares.
10.41 a.m.
Sophia opened the door of her suite after the impatient third knock.
Her mouth dried and she melted at the sight of Alistair dressed in a brown-and-red tweed hacking jacket with dark brown velvet lapels over a flannel white shirt and butterscotch breeches with leather patches on the inner sides of his knees. He was impatiently hitting his brown leather crop against his shining brown leather boots. The clothes fit his body to perfection and brought naughty thoughts to Sophia’s mind.
Oh, my! How do I ensnare this god?
She breathed deeply and stepped back to let him into the anteroom, “Come in.”
Incapable of holding back, she blurted, “You look so handsome,” and threw her arms around his neck dragging him down for a kiss.
Why are you always so dumb around handsome men? Sophia, Sophia, this is not the way to do it
. She scolded herself and broke the kiss.
He smiled smugly, “Thanks.” He looked her over and frowned when he reached her feet, “Why are you still in socks?”
“Alistair, I… I don’t have the right clothes,” she motioned from his gear to her black studded leather jacket over a white turtleneck sweater and black faded jeans.
“You’re stalling.” Alistair dragged Sophia by the hand to an armchair. “Sit. Stay here.” He looked around, “Where are your sneakers?”
“Alistair, stop it,” she smiled amused, “I can dress myself.”
“Stay put,” he ordered. “Don’t move from that chair.” He went into the dressing room.
“Everyone is waiting for us.” His voice came from the inside the room, muffled. “Father has even brought the horses to the front door. And two pairs of boots for you to try on.” He emerged from the closet, bringing her black LV monogram sneakers and a red patterned shahtoosh. “Here. Put these on. It’s cold outside. And it doesn’t matter that you’re wearing jeans or that you don’t have the right clothes. I want to go riding with you.”
“Humpf,” she complained, lacing her sneakers. “This isn’t right.”
He hit the arm of the armchair hard with his crop startling Sophia, who craned her head to look up at him, surprised. A ghost of a smile appeared on his face, “Maybe it’s not right, but it’s what I want.” He dropped onto his haunches to stare into her eyes, “And what I want, I get.” The sound of the crop hitting the armchair rhythmically rang out in the room.
Hello, Lord big-ego-Julius-Caesar!
“Should I bow, say amen, or something similar, my Lord Ells?” she mocked, scooting to the edge of the armchair, caging him between her thighs.
“Aye, it’s better if you start learni-.”
Oh, please
. She grabbed him by the velvet lapels and pulled him in an openmouthed, scorching kiss. He fell to his knees and his arms went around her, hauling her flush to his body, the shahtoosh, and his crop dropping from his hands behind her.
He was panting when she stopped the kiss.
She shoved the armchair back and jumped off it with an agile movement, “Dream on, my lord,” and ran away from him, waving, “dream on!”
Alistair watched dumbfounded as Sophia flew through the door, leaving him kneeling in the room. He picked up the fallen items and looked at them, daftly.
