The Bride Price by Tracey Jane Jackson Page B

grumbled.
    “He may surprise you, Sophie.”
    “I won’t hold my breath.”
    Christine squeezed her hand. “I’d better get
to the hospital. We’re hoping to discharge a few soldiers
today.”
    Sophie nodded. “Thanks for having breakfast
with me. Will I see you later?”
    “Yes, Mama and I will be joining you for
dinner. Andrew said he would also come, and since Nona hasn’t seen
Elizabeth’s children for a few days, she told them to feel free to
come for dinner as well. You may have the whole Simmonds family to
deal with tonight.”
    Sophie walked Christine to the door and
watched her walk down the drive. The clock in the foyer read a
little past ten, and Sophie didn’t really know how she was going to
the kill the next four hours. With the house empty other than the
hustle and bustle of the servants, Sophie knew she would have to
provide her own entertainment.
    Gathering borrowed outerwear, Sophie took off
down the side path that led to the stables and the soldiers
practicing their military movements. Hearing the commotion of
hooves and men’s raised voices as she approached, she fought the
urge to peer inside the arena. Unwilling to draw attention to
herself, she snuck into the dark tranquility of the barn and smiled
as a few of the horses stuck their heads out to greet her.
    She recognized the gelding that had taken her
on the ride of her life the previous day, and she made her way to
his stall and pulled a sugar cube from her pocket.
    “You are a beautiful boy, aren’t you,
Samson?” Sophie ran her hand over his muzzle. “I’m sorry I confused
you yesterday. I wish I could ride you the right way so that we
could really become acquainted.” She sighed. “But that would be
entirely too risqué in this day and age, I’m afraid.”
    Immaculate lines, unusually tall but still,
no doubt Arabian somewhere in his lineage, Samson was larger than
life. Muscular and lean, with a quiet disposition, he nickered his
pleasure as Sophie held her hand flat for him to take the sugar.
Hearing a slight rustle to her left, Sophie turned to find Richard
in the open doorway of the barn, looking as arrogant as ever.
    “Mrs. Ford, I didn’t mean to startle you. Is
anything amiss?”
    “Of course not, Mr. Madden. Why would you
automatically assume something was wrong? Is it because I walked
out to the big ol’ barn all by my little ol’ self and me being a
lowly woman and all, there must be something amiss? Or were you
getting ready to tell me that it isn’t appropriate for me to be
walking around by myself? Will you be giving me commentary on my
outfit today as well?”
    His hands went up in surrender. “I’m sorry. I
didn’t mean to offend. And, please, call me Richard. I saw you
slink into the stables and wanted to make sure you didn’t need
anything. I also wondered if you would like to watch some of the
training. I noticed you watching from your window this morning and
thought you might enjoy it.”
    “Well, first of all, I didn’t slink anywhere and, no, I won’t call you Richard. Mr. Madden works
perfectly fine for me.” He raised an eyebrow at her. “Sorry.” She
took a deep breath and forced a smile. “I must have gotten up on
the wrong side of the bed this morning. Yes, I believe I’d enjoy
watching the training.”
    “Wonderful. Why don’t you follow
me—ma’am.”
    Richard led Sophie out to the large open
arena filled with magnificent horses working in perfect unison.
Each man worked with his own mount so that both animal and rider
could form a trust-bond. She spent the next two hours watching the
men and horses put through their paces. It was invigorating.
    Richard made his way over to her at about
noon. “Mrs. Ford, the men are going to stop for something to eat.
Would you like to join me for lunch?”
    “They may be expecting me back at the Wades,
so I should probably get going.”
    “I’d be happy to escort you to the house, and
then perhaps I could join you?”
    “All right, Mr.