Read Highest Stakes for Free Online Page B

fulfilled his obligation to safely deliver his niece, he departed without another thought.
      "Always those confounded horses!" Lady Felicia cursed under her breath. "I just don't understand what's become of Beatrix."
      With her sudden arrival in her uncle's household, Charlotte's world turned upside-down. She was regarded with disingenuous sympathy from her aunt, indifference from her uncle, jealousy and resentment from Beatrix, and seemingly no more than tolerance by Charles.
      Charlotte had been adored by her parents, and by her father in particular, who treated her more as a son than a daughter. For this reason, she perceived Charles as her most likely ally and determined to cultivate a friend in her male cousin.
      Her first opportunity presented early one morning, shortly after her arrival, when she espied Charles departing the house. Stealing surreptitiously through the back courtyard and gardens, she followed him down the narrow path to Sir Garfield's prized stables. Trailing in stealthy pursuit, she bypassed the carriage house and pressed on toward the broodmare paddocks, where arrested by a warm nicker and the approach of a sleek and glossy little chestnut mare, Charlotte completely forgot about Charles.
      With her head held high, the little horse trotted merrily to the fence and nuzzled the girl. Her warm breath tickled Charlotte's cheek. Completely and unreservedly captivated, Charlotte reached out to stroke the velvety nose.
      A voice spoke from behind. "That mare is Amoret. She's Darley blood, you know."
      Startled, Charlotte flushed.
      "I saw you following me," Charles said, his grin accusing.
      "I wanted to explore the grounds but didn't know my way around."
      "No matter to me. You don't seem half the trouble of my sister."
      "I promise not to be any trouble at all. Though we lived in the city, I have a great fondness for the out-of-doors. My papa used to take me to the park to play every day when I was a child."
      Charles considered her for a moment. "I've never been to a great city, leastwise not outside of Leeds. Can't rightly say if I should be keen on it or not."
      "There is so much to do in London! There are people everywhere, strolling in their finery at St James or riding their horses in Hyde Park."
      "I should hate to confine my riding to a mere park."
    "But Hyde Park must be a hundred acres or more!" she protested.
      "A hundred acres is nothing," he scoffed. "Heathstead Hall covers nearly a square mile."
      "But Hyde Park has the Serpentine," she challenged.
      "The what? Sounds like a bleedin' snake museum."
      "Don't be such an addlepate, Charles! The Serpentine is a great man-made lake within the park. Papa once took me punting there. We had a lovely day." She blinked rapidly. Her mouth quivered.
      Charles looked away visibly discomfited.
       "You mentioned riding in that serpent park," he said. "Do you ride, Cousin?"
      "No, but Papa always promised me…" Still fighting the incipient tears, her voice dropped to a whisper.
      His question had failed to serve its purpose. Flustered by his second botched attempt to distract her, Charles tried again. "Well, would you like to? Ride, that is?"
      The mare immediately nudged Charlotte's hand, as if encouraging her. Charlotte's eyes suddenly grew wide with delight. "Do you mean to teach me?"
      "I could start you in the basics I suppose, though t'would be best to put you in Jeffries's hands. He's the stable master. Though he mostly works with the running bloods, he's also charged with our instruction, mine and Beatrix's, that is. 'Tis a waste of time on that girl," he added contemptuously. "Beatrix is afraid of anything with four legs."
      "I should not be afraid at all," Charlotte answered intrepidly, determination replacing her tears.
      "A bit of fear is a healthy thing," he advised. "Horses are powerful beasts, even the most docile ones, but if you truly wish to learn…"
      "Oh, I