Tessa's Touch Read Online Free Page A

to shield her from any taint of trade, but Lord Anthony's
impudent double entendres had clouded her wits. Harold had said Uncle Mercer
was hoping to sell Nimbus after the first hunt, she mused. It might be amusing
to see the handsome, polished Lord Anthony attempt to handle him.
    But no. If he had already purchased Zephyr from
Mr. Ballard, she couldn't wish two difficult horses on the same man, even one
who unsettled her as much as Lord Anthony did.
    A commotion in the hall interrupted her
musings, and a moment later old Griffith announced Lord Rushford, Sir Charles
Storm, and Mr. Turpin, handsome, fashionable gentlemen, all— though Lord
Anthony was easily the most handsome of the lot. They were accompanied by a
visibly irritated Harold Emery, Mercer Emery entering just behind them.
    Tessa's concern about Lord Anthony's motives
quickly gave way to concern for her father. So much excitement could not be
good for his heart. "Gentlemen, please—" she began as greetings were
exchanged, but Cousin Harold interrupted her.
    "These gentlemen have expressed an
interest in your horses," Harold said to Sir George. "I could wish,
sir, that you had warned me before sending them down to the stables. Such
disruption is not good for the animals."
    Lord Anthony spoke before Sir George could
answer. "It's my fault, I'm afraid. I sent them down when I came inside.
I'd no idea it would upset you, of course."
    Harold's smile was more a grimace. "I'm
not the least upset, my lord. It's simply not how we do things here, that is
all."
    "Then I must apologize," Lord Anthony
replied, one brow raised. He seemed to be taking Harold's measure. Tessa wasn't
sure whether that was a good thing or not.
    Turning back to Sir George, he continued,
"In truth, I did have another reason for my visit, sir. A friend of mine
recently purchased one of your hunters and has had some difficulties."
    A light broke upon Tessa and she suddenly felt
stupid for not seeing it sooner. Of course! Mr. Ballard must have told him
where he had bought Zephyr. Lord Anthony's visit had nothing to do with her at
all. She trusted he would honor his vague promise that he would say nothing of
their meeting last night.
    "Difficulties?" Her father glanced at
Uncle Mercer. "Mr. Emery handles all sales for me, and his son, my
trainer, is the one most familiar with the horses."
    Uncle Mercer stepped forward, though he looked
wary. "What animal did your friend buy, and when? Perhaps I can clear up
any misunderstanding."
    "It was a remarkably skittish chestnut,
sold some weeks ago to a young man—a very young man—by the name of Ballard. He
found himself unable to handle the beast, so I took it off his hands, as he was
willing to give me rather a bargain price."
    Folding his arms across his chest, Harold
jutted out his chin. "I can't imagine what your young friend did to ruin a
perfectly good horse in such a short time. There was nothing wrong with his
temperament when we sold him, as Mr. Ballard himself surely must have told
you."
    Lord Anthony's eyes narrowed as they swiveled
back to Harold. "Yes, he told me the horse showed well. But then, an
animal will often respond favorably to a familiar . . . touch."
    He glanced at Tessa and her throat tightened
with alarm. Surely, he was not going to—
    "A properly trained hunter cannot be
dependent upon that for good behavior, however, or he will be useless in the
field," he continued, turning back to Uncle Mercer, and then to her
father, seeking their agreement.
    "Are you implying that my training isn't
all it should be, my lord?" her cousin demanded.
    "Now, now, Harold," Sir George said
soothingly. "He said no such thing." Then, to Lord Anthony, "I
will stand behind any horse we've sold, my lord. If you feel your friend was
somehow misled, then of course we will buy the animal back."
    Tessa bit her lip. They couldn't afford to do
that, but her father didn't know it. Before she could give way to panic, Lord
Anthony responded, allaying her