To Wed a Wild Lord by Sabrina Jeffries Page A

in the way we originally assumed.”
    “We haven’t ruled it out entirely, though,” Pinter said with a pained look. “Besides, even if it was Captain Rawdon whom your cousin saw, he couldn’t have been the one to kill them. Desmond made it clear that the mysterious man arrived at the hunting lodge after the murders.”
    “So we’re back to needing to know what that man saw, and why he went there in the first place,” Gabe said tightly.
    “All right then,” Oliver said. “Here’s what we shall do. Pinter, go back and find the other grooms, the ones from your initial interviews who said they saw nothing, and find out if they remember that horse and who might have returned it. Ask about their association with Benny, too. Some of them may still see him from time to time.”
    “Very well,” Pinter said. “And if you wish, I’ll speak to Benny’s family again, see if they know anyone else with information on his exact whereabouts. If all else fails, I’ll make another trip to Manchester.”
    “Anything you can do will help,” Oliver said. “If you do head for Manchester,” Gabe said, “let me know. I want to go with you.”
    The nagging sense that Benny might hold the key to what had happened that day just wouldn’t leave him. Until he talked to the man and satisfied himself that Benny knew nothing, he couldn’t rest easy.

Chapter Six
    “I t’s a nasty day for a race,” Virginia’s grandfather said as they headed for Ealing.
    She scowled out the carriage window at the dark sky that threatened rain. Her horses, which had been sent on ahead to the race site hours ago, ran like demons in good weather. Bad weather could scuttle everything, especially if the wind picked up. Horses did not like wind.
    “Is the weather what’s got you in such a foul mood?” Pierce asked. He would have returned home yesterday if not for the race. Apparently he was needed back at his estate.
    “Of course,” she lied.
    Her foul mood had started the day she’d left the Halstead Hall stables. That devil Gabriel wouldn’t get out of her head. She kept feeling the press of his firm body against hers. He had the kind of muscles that made a woman just want to dig in and hold on. Such a fine physique had to be criminal.
    And the way he kissed? Pure heaven. She couldn’t stop thinking about his hot mouth and wicked tongue exploring hers.
    A blush rose in her cheeks. Sweet Lord, she was as wicked as he. She did not want that man to kiss her again. He was awful. Detestable. Despicable.
    Unfortunately, that argument grew weaker by the day. Ever since Poppy had put doubts in her head about what had happened at Turnham Green, she’d been thrown off-balance.
    But even if Gabriel wasn’t entirely at fault for Roger’s death, he was still an arrogant rogue who thought she should leap at the chance to marry him. She hated it when men thought they knew what was best for her, and how it should be accomplished.
    By the time they arrived at the course, she’d worked herself up into a fine temper. Just let Gabriel attempt to kiss her today! She would give him a piece of her mind. She would tell him in no uncertain terms that she was not the sort of fool to fall for his fine muscles and gorgeous green eyes and cocky smile. No, indeed.
    Then she spotted him on the course, dressed in his characteristic black and his shining boots, and her stomach did a little flip. Perish the man. Why must he affect her like this?
    “Remember what I told you about feeling the horses’ mouths lightly,” Poppy said as they drew up beside her curricle. “You don’t want to chafe their mouths.”
    “Yes, Poppy, I know. I’ve done this before.”
    “And keep the outside wheeler well in check while making the turns, or she’ll scuttle the curricle.”
    “Or perhaps I should just give the horses their heads and see if they can run the race on their own,” she said lightly.
    He started, then scowled. “This is serious business, girl.”
    She patted his