The Horse Thief by Tea Cooper Page A

feel like a damsel in distress rescued by a knight in shining armour.’
    Ignoring her ludicrous comments he marched into the stables beneath the hayloft. Jefferson lifted his head and instead of his usual welcoming whinny flashed the whites of his eyes then turned and offered his rump.
    Jim continued down the aisle to Maestro’s stall. The colt reared as they approached, his ears pricked and his eyes rolling as he backed away. Realising his mistake Jim walked to the end of the aisle and deposited Violet on a pile of straw.
    â€˜I was just beginning to get comfortable.’ She dropped her arms and sat adjusting the mangled feather on her hat.
    â€˜Sit there and don’t move.’ He tossed the words over his shoulder as he returned to the aisle to secure Maestro.
    â€˜I will not move one inch until you return.’ Violet leant back and stretched her legs out, looking for all the world as if she were reclining at a picnic.
    â€˜Why not stay in Sydney? Why come back here if you hate it so much?’ The words poured out of his mouth. He didn’t want to encourage her or engage her in conversation. He wanted her out of his hair and out of his stables. The thought caught him by surprise. Out of his stables. Whatever was he thinking? Given a further opportunity to check the ledgers for the proof of sale and Jefferson’s heritage and he’d be on his way.
    â€˜My return is India’s fault. If she’d accepted the perfectly reasonable marriage proposal she received neither of us would be in this preposterous position. Cecil Bryce is quite prepared to offer financial assistance to get Helligen back on its feet so the property can be sold. India and I could live in the lap of luxury in Sydney. She will marry Cecil in the end. This personal crusade to restore Helligen is a nonsense.’
    Her eyes narrowed as he approached.
    â€˜And I suggest you drop any insane notions you might have of romancing my sister. She is spoken for.’ Violet sat back with a satisfied smirk on her face.
    Jim snapped his mouth closed and stared at the girl. ‘I am not romancing your sister, as you put it. I’m here for one reason and one reason only. Once I have what I came for I will leave.’ He ran his fingers through his hair, squeezing his skull. He’d said too much.
    â€˜You will leave?’ A frown puckered her flawless forehead. ‘India is under the impression you’re here to stay. Of course, when she marries Cecil it will make no difference to your position. I feel certain we could arrange to keep you on. I can put in a good word for you.’
    â€˜We’ll see.’ Jim covered his confusion with a forced smile. ‘Let’s get you back to the house.’ Slipping one arm behind her back and the other beneath her knees he swept her into his arms again. Wasting no time he strode across the flagstones to the house.
    â€˜Can you take me into the kitchen?’ Violet asked. ‘I think Peggy needs to see to my ankle. I can’t imagine being able to walk unaided for another week at least.’
    He nudged the kitchen door open with his shoulder.
    India and Peggy sat at the kitchen table, their heads close together. They lifted their faces in unison.
    â€˜Don’t you dare bring that peacock feather into my kitchen, young lady. It’s bad luck.’
    Jim chuckled. It appeared animals and cooks alike knew more than he did.
    â€˜Peggy, I’ve hurt my ankle. Jim helped me. Can you strap it for me?’
    With his arms full of purple velvet and peacock feathers he hovered in the doorway. Neither Peggy nor India appeared the slightest bit disturbed by the possibility Violet was injured, in fact a smile quirked the corners of India’s lips. Violet had taken him for a fool.
    Peggy stuck out a pudgy finger. ‘Throw that hat down outside.’
    The peacock-feathered hat fluttered over his shoulder and landed with a gentle plop on the stone flagging