Beyond Compare Read Online Free

frowned, puzzled.
    “Is there a hunt today?” Rafe asked.
    “Yes. Our neighbor, Squire Winton, is the master of the hunt, and he was having one. Several of our guests went to it this morning, actually, but I cannot imagine why the twins would be talking about going to it. They are far too young. They aren’t quite eleven, and anyway, they have always spoken of the hunt in terms of the greatest loathing. They love animals, you see, and—”
    Kyria stopped short, looking up into the American’s face with a gasp. “Oh, my heavens!”
    “What? What is it?” He straightened at the look of alarm on Kyria’s face.
    “That’s it. They have gone there to do something, I know it. They are going to try to stop the hunt!” Kyria groaned, raising her hands to her head. “The squire will be furious. And right before Olivia’s wedding, too! I must do something. I have to stop them.”
    She turned and started toward the stables.
    But Rafe was beside her in an instant, grabbing her wrist. “Wait. Let me help you.”
    The touch of his fingers, warm and callused, on her arm sent a strange sensation sizzling up Kyria’s arm, and she blinked at him, momentarily distracted. “But I…I have to try to find them. I’m sorry, you must excuse me. But—”
    “No, that’s what I’m saying. I’ll take you.”
    “Riding double? But he must be tired.” Kyria glanced a little doubtfully at McIntyre’s stallion.
    “He barely broke a sweat. I promise you, he’s strong. You needn’t waste the time of having your horse saddled. Just tell me where to go.” McIntyre took her arm unceremoniously and led her to his horse. He tossed her onto the horse’s back, then mounted behind her.
    “Where to?” he asked, his arms going around her as he took the reins firmly in his grip.
    Wordlessly, Kyria pointed. Rafe dug in his heels, and they thundered off.

2
    K yria sat sidesaddle on the horse, her body against Rafe’s chest, and his arms curved around her to hold the reins. She was encircled by his warmth, and she could not help but be aware of how her hip was nestled very intimately between his legs. She had never ridden this way before, and it was rather unnerving—not the least because it produced such strange sensations in her. There was an unaccustomed warmth in her loins, a kind of softening, a stirring that was undeniably exciting. She could not help but be aware of how very close he was to her or of the strength of his arm around her back.
    “I should have taken my horse,” she said, struggling to ignore the tumult within.
    “Why is that?” he asked, his breath stirring her hair.
    “Well, I…” She turned and found herself looking straight into Rafe’s face, only inches away. She was suddenly very hot, her throat constricted. Kyria cleared her throat. “I, uh, I’m sure that in the long run, it probably would have been faster. Your horse is bound to tire.”
    “I told you—he’s strong. And you’re light as a feather.”
    “Hardly,” Kyria replied dryly. “I’m almost five foot ten.”
    “Yep, you’re a tall one, all right.” He grinned, his blue eyes looking at her with clear approval. “I noticed that right off. I like that. Still hardly weigh enough to tire this fella out.” He reached down and patted his horse’s neck. “You just tell me where to go.”
    “Cut across the meadow up there,” Kyria said, pointing, doing her best to ignore the feel of Rafe’s body against hers and finding it somewhat difficult to do. “I know where they set the dogs loose. The squire is very predictable. I am sure that is why Con and Alex thought they would be able to intercept them. If we go up Bedloe Hill, I think we’ll be able to catch sight of them.”
    They galloped across the meadow and jumped the fence at the end, the stallion’s hooves barely scraping the top. Kyria, held securely in the circle of Rafe’s arms, the breeze of their passage ruffling her already-disordered hair, could not help but thrill to