Simply Forbidden Read Online Free Page A

and gathered the reins the stable boy held out to her. She pointed down the hedge-lined row to the right of them. “There is a field down by the stream we can use.”
    He clicked at Wellington, enjoying the way the big horse responded so easily to his commands, and backed him up to join Miss Ross. “We’ll walk the horses down there. I want you to concentrate on relaxing in the saddle and keeping your balance.”
    Without repeating himself or checking to see that Miss Ross was attending to him, he squeezed the reins lightly and set off. Wellington’s long, even stride was a pleasure of effortless ease compared to some of the horses he’d been forced to ride in the treacherous mountain campaigns in Spain. He remembered his last desperate ride, his fear as the mule lost its footing and slithered down the rock pile, the pain and blackness descending over him.
    “My lord?”
    He forced his thoughts back to the present. “Yes, Miss Ross?”
    “Do you want me to get down and open the gate?”
    “I’ll do it.” He sounded far too blunt, but during his captivity he’d gotten out of the habit of speaking. Speaking led to punishment and he’d had enough of that to almost kill him. Much better to stay silent and endure. It had also infuriated his captors immensely.
    He opened the gate and led Wellington through, waited for Miss Ross to join him, and then shut it again. Once remounted, he turned to face her.
    “Let’s start from the beginning, shall we? Take your feet out of the stirrups; tie your reins onto the saddle and cross your arms over your chest.”
    By the time the stable clock struck six times, Lisette was halfway between wanting to kill Lord Swanfield and kiss him. He’d made her perform endless tasks to perfect her balance and help her regain her confidence. In truth, she felt much more secure on the horse than she ever had before. But she also felt sore and close to tears as he ordered her around like a scullery maid, his moments of approval so rare she found herself trying hard to earn the slightest hint of a smile.
    She cleared her throat. “I need to go back. I have to be at the breakfast table to greet my father’s guests.”
    He frowned and glanced at the distant stable clock. “We’ve only been here an hour.”
    “And an hour is all I have to spare.” Lisette headed toward the gate and waited for him to follow. “If you wish to keep riding, I’m sure I can find my way back to the stable alone.”
    “No, I’ll accompany you. But can you wait a moment while I try out this horse?”
    “Of course.” Lisette summoned a gracious smile. He didn’t bother to reply, just swept by her into a fast posting trot, a canter, and then into a full gallop. She could do nothing but admire his prowess. He moved as if his body was part of the horse, his hands relaxed on the reins, his hips rolling with each motion. She also knew he wasn’t doing it to impress her; his focus was totally on the horse.
    After a few minutes, he drew to a thundering stop an inch from her horse and grinned at her. His smile was so dazzling she blinked, and then it was gone.
    “I think I’ll buy this horse.”
    “I’m sure my father will be delighted.”
    Gabriel jumped down to open the gate and then remounted.
    “You ride as if you were born on a horse. Did your father put you up there as a baby?”
    “By the time I knew of him, my father was too old to do anything with me.” His mouth twisted. “I spent most of my early life in the stables annoying the coachmen, until they took me in hand and made sure I learned, not only how to behave, but how to ride and care for my horses.”
    “At least you learned. I grew up in a French convent.”
    He turned to look at her, his black hair disordered by the wind, his cheeks flushed with color. “Not many horses there, then.”
    “No, none at all.” She wondered if he’d inquire further about her unusual upbringing, almost hoped he would, but wasn’t entirely surprised that his