The Girl From Over the Sea Read Online Free Page B

horse was doing no more than a slow canter and Lesley, who was well ahead of the others, was able to avoid the collision by running into the shallow water receding from the point. She turned, her heart thudding clamorously, to see that the horseman had managed to swerve round the shrieking twins and was reining in. And then Dingo, who had fallen back a few yards to examine a rock pool, suddenly raced forward, barking hysterically and snapping at the horse ’ s hooves.
    The animal reared and Lesley clenched her hands, believing the rider unseated. But he held on as the next moment the horse seemed to take further fright and bolted across the beach, Dingo in pursuit.
    Lesley ’ s hands were clenched. No, no, no! her thudding heart protested. She was being a fool, seeing what wasn ’ t true. A likeness, perhaps, but nothing more.

 
    CHAPTER II
    Ricky, who had at first seemed as shocked as Lesley by the suddenness of the encounter now started to shout encouragement to the puppy. ‘ Seize him, Dingo! Seize him ! ’
    ‘ Rick, stop that at once ! ’ Lesley called in a horrified voice . ‘ Are you out of your tiny mind? ’ She began to run back along the sands, calling and whistling to the puppy. But they had had Dingo too short a time to give him any training and he had chosen Rick as his master and was inclined to ignore Rita and Lesley.
    It was perhaps because Rick didn ’ t follow that Dingo suddenly lost interest and came loping back, his tongue hanging out, a silly grin on his face. Lesley scow l ed at him and managed to grab his collar. ‘ Don ’ t look as if you ’ ve done something clever, ’ she gasped. ‘ You bird-brained tyke ! You ’ ll stay on the lead after this, see if you don ’ t ! ’
    She dragged him back to the twins and put him securely on the lead. Then almost shrinkingly she looked along the beach to where the horseman had reined in the runaway. Thank goodness he hadn ’ t been thrown!
    ‘ You two go right back to the edge of the cliffs and take that silly dog with you, ’ she ordered crisply. ‘ I ’ ll have to go and apologise. ’
    Rather subdued, the twins stared at her and Rick said quietly, ‘ I ’ ll go. Dingo belongs to Rita and me. You said all the time better not to take him when that woman offered him to us. ’
    Lesley made a gesture. ‘ Don ’ t let ’ s bother about that now. I ’ ll catch you up. ’
    With hands that were clenched tightly and thrust deeply into her pockets she hurried along the beach towards the man, who had now dismounted and was walking his animal back. As she drew nearer she realised he was talking to it gently, almost like a lover. It was a beautiful animal, a black mare, obviously highly bred and temperamental.
    Even now, she told herself, there was a chance that she was mistaken. After all she had seen him only briefly in the light of her torch and then in the half light of yesterday evening. His build was similar, but ...
    Lesley stood stock still, an unreasoning panic taking her by the throat. No good trying any longer to think she had been mistaken. He was all too familiar, this tall broad-shouldered figure. He had printed himself indelibly on her memory and last night he had haunted her dreams.
    He came towards her, level black brows drawn together, that same formidable expression she remembered so well. It chilled her now far more than the bitter north-easter which was blowing her skirt around her slender body and whipping strands of her burnished hair across a face which had drained of colour.
    Her first appalled surmise had been only too right. It was the driver of the car with whom Rick had almost collided last night. And if he had decided to be lenient about that, this second encounter would prejudice him into action. What hope now that he wouldn ’ t report them to the police? What would happen if it was discovered that Rick had been driving?
    The man stared at her without speaking, his dark face impassive, his eyes quite cold. They