BLINDFOLD Read Online Free Page B

propped it on its stand, a young woman came out of one of the old, ivy-clad stables, leading a horse. Pippa Barrington-Carr, younger sister of Giles, was tall, well-built, and possessed a pair of fine hazel eyes and a short mop of unruly curls that had originally been light brown but which changed hue with startling frequency as the whim took her. Today they were auburn.
    `Hi, Pips.'
    `Hi, yourself,' she responded, squinting against the winter sunlight as she crossed the yard towards him. `I hope I didn't get you out of bed this morning.'
    `No,' Gideon disclaimed airily. Then more truthfully, `Well, yes, actually. But I didn't get in it until past four this morning, so I think I'm excused.'
    `Why, for heavensakes?' Pippa exclaimed. `What happened?' `Tell you over lunch. Is that the mare you wanted me to try?' `Yes.' Pippa stood her up for Gideon to look at. `She'd just suit you, wouldn't you, Cassie?'
    `She's not a Cassie!' Gideon protested, regarding the mare's ample proportions. `Cassie's a slim young thing with flowing hair. She's built like a Russian female shot-putter. More of an Olga than a Cassie!'
    `Oh, don't listen to him,' Pippa told the horse. `He's just a male chauvinist pig. Big can be beautiful too.'
    `Oh, I agree. Some of those shot-putters are real stunners.' Pippa tossed her curls. `It's too late now, the damage is done. Come on, Cassie, let's find you some grass.' She led the mare out 'through the arch, saying over her shoulder that she would only be a minute.
    With an infinitely practical mind, a good head for business and a degree in catering, Pippa could easily have been a high flyer in the world of society parties and wedding receptions but chose instead to follow her heart, buying, training and selling potential three-day-eventers for a living.
    Gideon sat back against the Norton to await her return, looking up at the golden stone walls and mullioned windows of the house. The sun glinted on the tiny diamonds of the leaded lights, and way up on the roof two fantail doves were basking in its rays. The Priory wore time like an old coat; creased and a little shabby, but _ with an air of comfort and serenity. Gideon loved it.
    In a very short time Pippa was back, walking with an energetic mannish stride, the lead rope swinging from one strong brown hand. As always she reminded Gideon sharply of her brother. Three years separated them but they could easily have been twins.
    Right, let's go get some lunch,' she said, draping the rope over the nearest open half-door and turning back to Gideon.
    `My God! What have you done to your face?'
    `I walked into a door,' he said with partial truth.
    Pippa wasn't amused. `Don't be silly. Was this something to do with last night?'
    `Let's go in,' he suggested. `I'll tell you both together.'
    `But it doesn't make sense!' Giles protested for the fourth or fifth time. They had eaten lunch and were sitting round the scrubbed oak table in the Priory's huge kitchen, drinking coffee. `Why would anybody steal a stallion in the middle of the night and use it to cover just one mare? It's such a risk. I mean, stallion fees aren't that huge, are they?'
    Pippa shook her head. `Not unless you're talking about a Derby winner or something. But thoroughbreds have to be registered. What's the point of breeding a potential top-class racehorse if you can't race it?'
    `They stole Shergar.'
    `That was political,' Pippa pointed out. `I don't think they ever intended to use him.'
    ,I suppose they couldn't forge its papers?' Giles suggested, a frown on his good-natured face.
    Pippa shook her head emphatically.
    `Not a chance. Thoroughbred breeding is a multi-millionpound business. The official studbook is kept at Weatherbys and they monitor everything. Foals are blood-tested to prove paternity. A stallion can't even break wind without them knowing about it. It's a watertight system. It has to be.'
    Gideon nodded. `She's right. But I'm like you, I can't think what on earth they were up to. I mean,