The Englor Affair by J.L. Langley Page A

twitched, but he kept from breaking into a smile.
    Dru, on the other hand, failed miserably. She threw her head back and laughed. “Oh good. It’s nice to know I can still pick them.”
    Simon lost it then and joined her guffawing.
    When the mirth finally subsided to a few giggles, they’d made it to the wooded part of the trail. The cement path had narrowed and there was less traffic, but the sounds of people enjoying the park were all around them. “Are you ready to ride again?”
    Dru stopped her horse. “Sure, if you can give me a boost up.”
    Flipping his reins back over Cirilo’s head, Simon walked around the stallion to Dru’s side.
    “Thank you for taking me riding.”
    “My pleasure.”
    “You’re the only one I go riding with nowadays.” Dru bumped his shoulder with hers. “Well, you and Wycliffe. But Wycliffe would faint dead away if I even considered galloping, so I don’t go with him often.” She got quiet for a few moments, petting Cleo’s nose. “Anthony used to be terrified I’d fall. Do you know he even tried to get me to ride astride?” She handed him her reins. “And my parents think I’m scandalous.”
    Taking the leather straps, Simon laid them over the horse’s neck and waited for Dru to come to him. His heart hurt for her. He’d always envied her relationship with Kentwood. He’d never have anything like it. He’d marry one day, but it wouldn’t be for love. “You miss him.”
    She met his gaze. “Terribly.” With a sad smile and teary eyes, she sidled up next to him, holding her arms out for him to lift her.
    60
    www.samhainpublishing.com

    The Englor Affair
    As he raised her, a loud thundering of hooves came from behind them, drowning out the rustling leaves and distant voices. Cleopatra backed away. “Whoa, girl.” Setting Dru back on her feet, Simon held his hand out to Cleo. “Easy, girl.”
    He glanced toward the trail a few yards behind them, but because of the sharp turn and the stand of trees concealing the road he couldn’t see anything. The rapid clip-clop of hooves grew louder and Cirilo huffed out a breath, throwing his head up.
    Simon caught Cleo’s bridle. “Drucilla, get out of the middle of—”
    A large chestnut horse came barreling around the corner headed straight for them.
    Simon dove at Dru, knocking her out of the running horse’s path.
    They careened into the trees at the other side of the trail and ended up on the leaf-littered ground in a tangle of arms and legs with Dru on top of him.
    “Bloody hell.” Simon pulled Dru up with him, dusted her off and swept the leaves from his uniform. “Are you hurt?”
    She shook her head and the ridiculous feather, now broken, flopped over the bridge of her nose. “No, I’m fine. What the galaxy? Who was—? Oh no, your horse.” Her shoulders slumped as she stared down the road.
    Damn. Cirilo had run back toward the front gate. And the reckless rider had kept going, with his dark greatcoat flapping behind him. He never even looked back. Bastard.
    Cleo danced in place, snorting and flipping her head.
    “You’re sure you’re fine?” Simon picked up his cover off the ground and brushed it off before putting it back on his head.
    “Yes. Thank you.” Dru fussed with her riding habit and hat. “I’d love to get a hold of that rider and give him a piece of my mind.”
    She wasn’t the only one. But Simon was likely to do more than introduce the man to the sharp side of his tongue. After giving Dru a once-over and assuring himself she was truly fine, he stepped back onto the concrete path. He needed to calm their remaining horse before she bolted.
    Holding out his hand for the mare to smell, Simon inched his way closer. “It’s okay, girl. Easy now.”

    www.samhainpublishing.com 61

    J.L. Langley
    A soft breeze blew leaves across the path, making them rattle and crackle. Cleo backed up a few steps, but Simon followed her. When the wind stopped, a steady clip-clop of hooves headed their way from