Page 20 of The Major’s Mistake (Intrepid Heroines #7)

As the fields opened up before them, Justin dug his heels into his pony’s flanks, sending it off at a canter.

As it seemed the boy was in no danger of falling off, Julian paused to follow his progress over the gently rolling field.

A rush of pride swelled his breast as he watched his young son handle his mount with fearless pluck and no little skill.

Justin finally slowed the pony to a walk and turned to wave.

“You have taught him well, Miranda,” he said softly as she came up beside him.

Her eyes were locked on Justin as well. She waved in return and motioned for him to remain where he was. “I can hardly claim credit. Even at this young age, he is a natural in the saddle.”

“Like his mother.”

She didn’t answer.

Julian ventured a sideways glance. “How do you find the filly?”

A slight pressure on the reins was all that Miranda needed to control her spirited mount’s impatience to be off after the pony.

“She is a dream, sir. I’ve never ridden such a responsive animal, or one with such spirit.

” A quick caress feathered over the horse’s muscled neck.

“I venture she has stamina, and can run like the wind as well.”

The marquess arched one eyebrow and a faint smile came to his lips. “Care to test that assumption? Say, to the crest of the hill where Justin is awaiting us?”

She eyed the larger stallion, who was also chafing at the bit. “Hmmm. That’s hardly fair, sir,” she countered. “Not without a headstart to allow for your stallion’s greater size and strength.”

Julian’s smile broadened. “Two lengths.”

Miranda gathered her reins and, with a murmur of encouragement, spurred her horse forward.

The filly fairly shot off the mark. With Miranda bent low over her mane, she lengthened her stride, hooves flying over the close cut stubble.

It wasn’t until halfway up the gentle slope that the stallion drew even.

Even then, the smaller horse responded to the challenge by laying her ears back and straining every muscle to hold him off.

It was only by little more than a nose that the marquess’s mount reached the top of the hill first.

The wind had whipped the color to Miranda’s cheeks and her eyes danced with the exhilaration of it all. “Oh!” she exclaimed, stroking the filly’s lathered neck as she slowed to a trot. “What a magnificent run!”

Julian drew in his big stallion as well. “What say you, Zeus?,” he said with a grin. “We nearly met our match today.”

Miranda broke into an answering smile. “Lucky for you, sir, that there was a hill. On flat ground I’m not sure the two of you would have caught us.”

Their eyes met, and for an instant it was as if all the anger and hurt of the past melted away in warmth of their shared laughter. Just as suddenly, Miranda’s features stiffened and she jerked her gaze away.

Julian felt a sting of disappointment at seeing the guarded expression return to her face. It was, he realized, the first time she had laughed—truly laughed—in his presence. The sparkle in her eye, the set of her smile had nearly taken his breath away in those few moments.

Good Lord, it made absolutely no sense, he reasoned with himself.

Countless ladies had smiled at him in much more alluring ways over the last few months, trying to excite his attention.

Every one of them had left him feeling indifferent, so why was it that right now, a heat was coursing through him that he could not understand, much less control?

He turned abruptly and urged his stallion forward to where Miranda stood chatting with Justin. She had dismounted and was making a small adjustment to the length of his stirrup.

“Major! Major,” called the little boy. “You won, but Zeus is bigger than Mama’s horse.”

Despite his agitated emotions, Julian couldn’t help but smile at the boy’s simple reasoning. Before he could answer, Justin turned to Miranda.

“Look, Mama, she already likes you!” Indeed, the filly had come up from behind and was nuzzling her velvety nose against Miranda’s windblown tresses. “What are you going to name your new horse?”

Miranda began to stutter in confusion.

“I know!” continued Justin. “You should name her Hera.”

She went pale at the impulsive words—in his innocence, her son had suggested naming the filly after Zeus’s wife. “I … that is, love, I fear you have misunderstood Angus. I am merely borrowing her for the day. She belongs to His Lordship and so is not mine to name.”

“Oh.” He looked a bit crestfallen.

“An excellent suggestion, lad,” said Julian, careful to avoid meeting Miranda’s eyes. “Hera she shall be.” He reached down to ruffle the boy’s already tousled locks. “You did remarkably well today, lad. No doubt you will soon be leaving both your Mama and me in the dust.”

Justin beamed with pleasure.

“I’m afraid I must take my leave of you here. I depend on you to see your Mama home safely.”

“But sir, your horse—” began Miranda

Ignoring her startled protest, he spurred Zeus forward and rode off without a backward glance.