Lady in Demand Read Online Free Page B

kept him focused and ensured his life ran smoothly. He rose early every day, even the morning after a late, restless night spent dreaming of a certain woman in various passionate positions, and rode in the park.  
    Letting Titus have his head, he galloped over the dew-drenched grass and soon felt the last of the cobwebs inside his head clear.  
    He’d danced with Lady Croxley last night, and every time he was in her company he felt more assured that she would make him an ideal wife. She was calm and composed. He’d never heard her raise her voice and she was never outspoken, unlike some. She came from an excellent family and would be a steadying influence on the twins.  
    Finn liked to make lists, and had done just that for his future wife. It was tucked away where no one could find it, but he’d pulled it out last night and Lady Croxley had met all his requirements. On a whim, he had run Phoebe through the list and found she met only one, which only confirmed what he already knew. He was physically attracted to her, but she would make him a terrible wife.  
    He rode hard for a while as his mind processed thoughts, worked through plans for the future and those he had set for the next few days. When he was sure Titus had run enough, he pulled him to a walk and relaxed the reins, giving them both time to regain their breath.
    The park was empty except for the two men who were here most mornings doing tricks on horseback. He’d wondered if they were from a traveling show, or The Royal Amphitheatre? It was entertaining to watch them climb under their horses’ necks and pick up things off the ground while cantering. This morning, one man was leading the other’s horse in a circle while the other was standing on the horse’s back.  
    Moving closer, he watched as the man held out his hands to balance. It would take some skill, Finn thought, to do this.
    “Ha, can you see, Moses? I’m doing it and you said I wouldn’t.”
    He knew that voice. Urging his horse closer, he looked at the slender figure standing above him.
    “Phoebe?”
    She heard him, because she turned and then he watched in horror as her foot slipped.
    “Phoebe!” Finn couldn’t reach her, nor could the man holding her horse as she fell the opposite side to where he rode. He watched her tumble to the ground, landing with a loud thud.  
    “Christ, are you alright?” Leaping off his horse, Finn was at her side in seconds, his hands reaching for her.  
    “Bloody hell,” she snarled, slapping his hand aside as she climbed to her feet. Finn watched as she brushed her breeches to remove the dirt. The sharp inhalation of her breath told him she was hurting somewhere.  
    “Where are you hurt, Phoebe? Let me see.” He reached for her again but she took a step backwards, which put her up against her horse, and glared at him.
    “You had no need to call out to me. Had you not I would never have fallen.”
    “In my defense, it was a surprise to see that it was you I have been watching perform all manner of tricks for the past few weeks that, now I think about it, make my hair stand on end.” He looked her over, taking in the worn jacket and fitted breeches that molded to her long legs. “I heard your hiss of pain, Phoebe. Tell me where you hurt?” Her hat had come off and the long plait was now loose and hanging over one shoulder. How the hell had he mistaken her for a man?
    “I’m not hurt,” she snapped, looking like one of his brothers on the rare times he had to wake them before they were ready to rise. Surly and rumpled.
    “My question was one of concern, Phoebe, nothing more.” She heard the rebuke in his words and closed her eyes briefly before looking up at him.
    “Yes, I know it was, and thank you for your concern, Lord Levermarch. However, I assure you I am quite alright.”
    As far as apologies went it, wasn’t delivered in the most gracious manner, yet it was one nonetheless.
    “Is it your wrist that hurts? Let me see.” Stepping