Page 12 of The Burning Passion of a Fiery Lady
She digested this, frowning deeply. Then, she took a deep breath.
“I think you are right,” she replied slowly. “Iknowthat you are right.”
At that moment, David came out of the stables, staring at them both curiously. “You are going to ride him?” asked the apprentice, smiling slowly. “I think that is a grand idea, Mrs Drake. And we shall both be by your side, to help you through it.”
Susannah gazed at the apprentice, her eyes soft. “Why, thank you, Mr Bragg …”
“Call me David,” said the apprentice, grinning at her a little cheekily. “Mr Bragg sounds so formal! I am only two and twenty, you know!”
“David it is, then,” she replied, her face splitting into a grin. “Well, David, thank you for your encouragement …”
He bowed with a flourish. “My pleasure.”
She turned back to Jasper, an almost pleading expression on her face.
“Shall I get him?” he asked quietly.
She nodded quickly. Without another word, he grabbed the horse’s reins, leading the animal to her. When they were close enough, he gave the reins to David, then helped her mount Blitzen. He could feel the deep trembling within her; she was frightened. He tried to ignore the sudden leap of his loins when he touched her hand.
Slowly, he led her around the corral, only trotting at first, before increasing the horse’s pace. She was ramrod straight in the saddle, as stiff as a board. She didn’t look comfortable at all, and she was as pale as a sheet. He felt a sharp stab of pity for her. This wasn’t easy, on any level.
“Well done,” called out David, encouragingly. “You are doing so well.”
She smiled faintly, tightening her grip on the reins. Jasper increased the pace again. Now, she was bobbing up and down in the saddle. The horse flared its nostrils, but otherwise, it seemed to be coping well.
Suddenly, the horse scuffed its right front hoof against a stone. The effect was almost immediate. It started bucking wildly, rearing up, its eyes wild. Jasper watched in dismay as it twisted, desperately trying to get the rider off its back.
She was falling. Desperately, he rushed forward, only just managing to catch her before she hit the ground.
He fell backwards, with the impetus of her weight crashing against him. Abruptly, she was on top of him, panting to regain her breath. For a moment, they simply gazed into each other’s eyes, too stunned to speak.
Vaguely, he was aware that David had rushed forward, grabbing the horse’s reins, calming it down. But he couldn’t react to that. All he could focus on was the feel of her, in his arms, pressing her hands against his chest, her red hair tumbling suddenly around her face, as her bun lost its pins.
His heart started to beat violently, as he gazed at her, so close against him. He felt her sweet breath upon his face. Slowly, his hands came to rest on her waist. It took all his willpower not to draw her down, further, against him; the sudden lust which assailed him, at the feel of her against him, was overpowering.
His eyes roamed over her face, drinking in her beauty. Up close, she was even more perfect; her skin was so soft and unblemished, as smooth as silk. And her eyes! He hadn’t realised that they had a faint blue tinge to them. Her eyelashes were long and dark gold as if they had been sprinkled with gold dust, her lips rosy red, and achingly full.
Momentarily, time seemed to stop. He was no longer conscious of David, or the horse. He was no longer conscious of anything, except the feel of the woman in his arms.
She was watching him closely, too, her eyes flickering over his face. Suddenly, she flushed a beautiful rose pink, staining her cheeks. Her full lips fell slightly open. He watched, fascinated, only just resisting the impulse to reach out and place a finger upon her bottom lip, to feel the plump softness of it.
Abruptly, he came to his senses. What was he doing, gazing at her so avidly, tightening his grip on her? She was his employer, and he was acting like some randy lad, about to tumble a servant girl. He let her go, standing up, gingerly helping her up, too.
David rushed over. “Are you both alright?”
Susannah laughed, brushing off her gown, which was covered in dirt. “I am perfectly fine! I do not think I have a bruise on me.” Suddenly, she tilted back her head, laughing harder. Her wavy red hair shimmered down her back, like a skein of silk. “Actually, it was quite a thrill to be thrown …”
Jasper stared at her, slightly shocked. The severe Widow Drake seemed to have vanished entirely. She looked like a carefree girl, laughing, her hair falling in soft curls around her face. He felt another sharp stab of desire.
Suddenly, she sobered, her grey eyes huge in her face. “I should not say such things, especially when …” She turned her face away for a moment, staring at the horse, who was now safely tethered at the edge of the corral. “Why was Blitzen so scared, by a mere stone? It makes no sense at all.”
Jasper shook his head slowly. “He definitely reacted to it, didn’t he? I have never seen a horse scared of such a small stone before.” He paused, frowning. “I want to work on that fear with him if I may. With your permission, I think that it would be beneficial if I worked exclusively with Blitzen, and perhaps David can take over the training of Thor.”
She blinked rapidly. “If that is what you think is best, then of course, you have my permission. You are the horse master, after all.”
Their eyes locked again. She was the first to turn away this time, her colour deepening again. When she gazed back, her face was restrained.
“I should return to the house and clean myself up,” she said slowly. “My gown is a mess, and my hair …!”
