Dark Rider Read Free Page B

sins, but that’s not one of them.”
    “Prove it. Go bring him to me.”
    “I don’t take orders from children.”
    “I thought as much,” she said, relieved. “You’re afraid of Kapu, like everyone else.”
    “You’re beginning to irritate me.” His tone had taken on a steely edge. “I do not lie, and I’m not afraid of your horse.”
    She glared at him. “Prove it.”
    Studying her intently, he asked, “Why is it so important to you?”
    “I don’t like liars.”
    “No, I don’t think that’s the reason.” He shrugged. “But you shouldn’t issue challenges unless you expect them to be accepted.” He turned and moved toward the thicket. A moment later he disappeared into the shadows of the palm trees.
    He wouldn’t be able to do it, she told herself desperately. In the entire world Kapu was the one thing that was fully her own. He would never betray her by yielding to a stranger.
    She heard the Englishman’s soft murmurings, his voice gentle, tender, almost loving, as different from the silken sharpness with which he had spoken to her as dawn from sunset. Then he emerged from the thicket and came toward her … leading Kapu.
    Astonishment and then pain tore through Cassie. Kapu was moving as meekly and contentedly as if she held his reins.
    Jared continued murmuring until he stopped beforeher and extended the reins. “Your horse, I believe.”
    She could not believe it. She
would
not believe it. She swallowed to ease the tightness from her throat. How stupid to want to weep because someone else had managed to gain Kapu’s confidence enough to perform such a simple act. Even Lani was able to lead Kapu on occasion. He was still Cassie’s horse. “An easy task.”
    “You didn’t seem to think it easy when you sent me to fetch him.”
    Dear God, Kapu was pushing affectionately at Jared’s back with his nose.
    “Ride him.”
    He shook his head. “I fear I’m not dressed for riding.”
    “Ride him!” she said hoarsely, blinking back the stinging tears.
    He stared down at her and said slowly, “I don’t think you want me to do that.”
    “You can’t do it. I know you can’t.”
    “But you want me to try.”
    She didn’t want him to try, but she had to be sure. She had to know Kapu was not completely swayed from his allegiance to her. “Ride him.”
    He hesitated. Then he stepped to the side, removed his coat, and dropped it onto the sand. He jerked off his cravat and tossed it on top of his coat. “As you like.” He stood before the horse, motionless.
    “What are you waiting for?”
    “Be quiet,” he said impatiently. “It’s not right. I need—” He broke off as he saw her expression. “Damnation!”
    He leaped onto the back of the horse!
    For an instant Kapu was perfectly still.
    Cassie’s heart sank, and her hands closed into fists at her sides.
    Kapu exploded! The stallion reared upright, came down hard, and went into a frenzy of bucking. By some miracle the Englishman stayed on his back.
    She heard him curse as his legs gripped Kapu’s heaving sides. His dark hair came loose from the queue and flew wildly about his face and shoulders. His lips set in a grim line, and his eyes narrowed with fierce intensity. He was everything savage and primitive; no particle remained of the elegant man who had strolled out of the thicket such a short time before.
    Kapu gave up the violent gyrations and bolted toward the palm trees!
    Cassie’s heart stopped. “Watch out. The tree!”
    The Englishman had already divined the horse’s intention and swung his leg across Kapu’s back as the stallion careened by the trunk, missing it by inches. Then, before Danemount could recover his seat, Kapu began bucking again.
    Danemount was tossed over Kapu’s head and landed a few yards away in the sand. Kapu neighed triumphantly and stopped in his tracks.
    Cassie had a terrible idea she knew what was coming. “Don’t,” she whispered. “Oh, no …” She ran toward the palms.
    Kapu turned