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then went down to the stables.
    The head groom took him inside, and Trevor walked down the line of stalls, studying the horses with admiration. Whoever his host was, the man knew horseflesh. He paused thoughtfully beside a gorgeous black mare. The horse gave him a spirited neigh and shook back her mane as if daring Trevor to ride her.
    Just then, a man entered the stables who was evidently of some importance. The groom hastened toward him, greeting him effusively.
    "Good morning, Roberto," the man said in a booming voice that carried to where Trevor stood. "Bring Cheval, would you?"
    The groom hastened away, and the man came up beside Trevor. He gave an approving nod to the mare. "Cinder's a fine horse," he said.
    "Is she trained for riding?"
    The other man laughed. "After a fashion. But she's very particular about who she allows to ride her. My daughter is one, but I suspect that's because they are kindred spirits. Both of them like to go fast, and neither of them are very good at obeying orders."
    "A horse doesn't allow you to ride her," Trevor contradicted. "You allow her to carry you."
    "Perhaps, but Cinder, like my daughter, has a mind of her own."
    As if to prove it, the mare suddenly reared up, pawing the air with her forelegs. She landed hard, then gave the back of the stall a belligerent kick.
    Trevor moved into the empty stall next to the mare's. He reached out and grasped the horse's mane, wrapping the long hair around his hand in a firm grip. With his other hand, he stroked the mare's neck in a slow, soothing motion. "Easy now," he said softly. "Easy."
    At first, the horse fought against the hold Trevor had on her, shaking her head from side to side to free herself. But he waited patiently, without relinquishing his grip, and, after a few moments, Cinder gave in and quieted.
    "Well now," the man said, "she seems to have taken a liking to you."
    "She's just biding her time, waiting until I try to ride her. Then we'll see."
    The man gave an amused chuckle. "True enough. I'm just about to go out myself. Care to ride along?"
    "Certainly." Trevor let go of the mare, then stepped out of the stall. He extended a hand and introduced himself. "Lord Ashton."
    "Figured as much," the older man answered, taking his hand in a vise-like grip for the customary handshake. "Edward's told me a bit about you. I’m Henry Van Alden."
    Once the two horses were saddled, Henry waited in the stable yard astride Cheval, his roan gelding, watching with interest as the younger man mounted the mare. Trevor eased himself slowly into the saddle, careful to avoid any move that might startle the skittish horse, and gathered the reins. He took a deep breath and gave the groom a nod to step back. The moment Roberto was out of the way, Cinder gave an agitated snort, then tried to lower her head to buck, but Trevor kept a firm grip on the reins.
    The mare danced about fretfully for a few moments, but once Trevor managed to quiet her, she graciously allowed her rider the privilege of leading her out into the stable yard.
    "Excellent," Henry said as Trevor brought the mare to a halt beside Cheval. "You handle horses well."
    Trevor sensed from this man that was a very high compliment indeed.
    "Edward tells me that you're involved in archaeology?"
    Trevor figured that was one way of putting it. "I have been, yes."
    Henry pointed to the rolling green hills in the distance. "There's some excellent ruins that way. Care to see them?"
    "Certainly." Trevor brushed Cinder's flank lightly with the crop, and the mare followed Henry's roan gelding out of the stable yard.
    It was a fine spring morning, and the estate was beautiful. They rode for several miles before bringing their horses to a halt at the top of a ridge. Trevor looked down at the valley below. In a clearing stood the columns and stones of an ancient Roman palace, only partly excavated.
    "My own little project," Henry explained. "I'm working on it myself. It's slow going, of course, since I'm only