The American Bride - By Karla Darcy Page 0,57

of her own passions.

Julian reined in on the edge of the forest, glancing first uphill and then down. As his eyes brushed her hiding place Cara closed her own eyes afraid they would act as a magnet, drawing his piercing eyes to her. Laying her head against Gentian's neck she held firmly to the mare's nose with one hand while she gentled the animal with slow steady caresses. Tyrr threw back his head, snorting and blowing. Then as though Julian had come to a decision, he nudged the horse into an easy lope moving uphill.

Cara breathed a shuddering sigh of relief as the horse and rider disappeared through the trees. Despite her hammering pulses she waited until the woods were once again quiet, before she felt it was safe to move.

Whispering and coaxing, Cara backed Gentian out of the thicket. With shaking hands she dragged the horse over to a fallen log. Pulling herself into the saddle she once again made her way to the edge of the field. Elation filled her as she viewed the vista, empty of a black stallion and rider. She blew out her cheeks in a rush of relief. The muscles in her thighs still jumped in tension and she made a concerted effort not to transmit her turmoil to the horse. She steadied her breathing as she picked twigs and leaves out of her disordered hair. She tossed her head at the empty landscape and clucked to Gentian as she directed the mare back to the stables.

Cara was about mid-field when she heard the thunder of hooves and saw Julian break through the cover of trees.

Without thought she sawed on Gentian's reins swerving to the right, flying toward a thin band of trees. Lying low across the mare's neck she heard the pounding of hooves coming closer. In full panic now she let her horse have its head, racing away from Julian.

Julian admitted to himself that he had become obsessed by the mystery girl he had seen in the woods. For a week he had ridden over as much of the woods as possible without catching so much as a glimpse of the girl with the flaming hair and lithe body. Finally he had avoided riding in the early dawn hours hoping that she would feel safe and return to her usual pattern.

There was something about the girl that intrigued him; some familiarity of movement that he wanted to observe at closer quarters. He acknowledged the fact that her supple body and beautiful red-gold hair had stirred his senses but he also was aware that he was filled with rage at how she had snubbed him. And she definitely had snubbed him! When he had originally seen her, he had purposely slowed Tyrr's gait, so that he would arrive at her side composed for an introduction rather than puffing and wheezing from the exertion of his ride. But the contrary girl had used the opportunity to leap upon that misbegotten horse of hers and fly over the wall to sanctuary. Julian was too used to female adulation not to be affronted by this blatant cut.

Assuming the girl either lived in the vicinity or was visiting someone close at hand, Julian began a round of social calls to the other landowners in the neighborhood. Even at a distance Julian was able to recognize the class and dignity of the rider and the superior bloodstock of the horse. After a frustrating inspection of the daughters, wives and visiting relatives of his neighbors he was furious that he still had not discovered the identity of the girl.

The matchmaking mamas in the households where he called were in high alt that he had condescended to visit. He had sat in countless drawing rooms, balancing interminable cups of lukewarm tea while a host of simpering maidens were paraded before his eyes. Although his neighbors were aware of his marital status it seemed that since there was no bride in evidence he was still considered semi-eligible. He had never been comfortable doing the pretty and this excess of socializing reminded him of why he had accepted his father's arrangement of a suitable marriage. The greedy calculating looks of the mothers were a ludicrous contrast to the blushing innocence of the daughters they were delighted to thrust in his path.

Julian had no idea why it was so necessary to find the young horsewoman. For some unknown reason it was important. He rationalized that he only wanted to see if her face