Miss Peterson & The Colonel Read Free

or other matters, she found it impossible to remain silent. Frequently she interjected in the gentlemen's discussion and her shin was sore from the kicks she received each time from Ellen.
    By the time they rose to leave the gentlemen to their port Lydia was aware she and Simon Westcott were of a similar mind. They held each other in cordial dislike. He, no doubt, thought her opinionated and unfeminine, but she knew him to be overbearing and arrogant.
    So matters were equal on that score.
    No sooner was the door closed behind them than her sister turned to her in distress. 'Lydia, what were you thinking of? Could you not see how much you were annoying Simon? We did so wish you to get on.'
    Lydia embraced her. 'I apologize, my love. I know you and Edward intended us to make a match. It would never do, you know. We disliked each other on sight. I'm afraid you and Edward must forget your machinations. I'll do my best to be civil to him but shall avoid his company when I can. After all, I'm here to spend time with you and the boys not wait for an offer from Simon Westcott.'
     

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Two
     
     
    Lydia managed to remain apart from her new relative by spending her days with her nephews and her sister. She exercised her mare at dawn before anyone had risen, riding to the nearby park where they could both let off pent-up energy. However, she had no option but to dine with him each evening. She spent far longer than usual on her toilette, determined not to give him any reason to find fault with her.
    Each night she did her best to remain silent when the gentlemen were discussing subjects considered unsuitable for ladies. But every night she found herself sharing her own views, provoked beyond reason, quite often by Edward. If she did not know him to be the kindest man alive she would have thought he was deliberately goading her to be at loggerheads with his brother.
    Fortunately the colonel was as assiduous in his avoidance tactics as she. He spent the days viewing suitable geldings and eventually purchased one. He sang its praises at dinner. The animal was, according to him, a prince among horses. Brutus was five years old and obedient to bit and heel, with powerful hindquarters and shoulders – ideal for him to take back to France with him. She got up early the next morning in order to examine this paragon for herself.
    Undoing the loose box, she attached a lead rope and led the enormous horse into the yard where she tethered him to a metal ring. 'Well, old fellow, let's have a look at you. You're certainly a handsome one and well up to your master's weight.'
    The gelding lowered his massive head and breathed noisily in her face. She took this opportunity to push back his lips and examine his mouth. As she was so doing, the man she'd hoped to avoid strolled into the yard.
    'Miss Peterson, you've come to admire my animal, I see. I believe my guineas to be well spent.'
    'And I know that they were not. This horse is not what you were told.' She braced herself to receive a pithy response. She was sure he had not yet forgiven her. However, she knew that the colonel had been taken in.
    He drew himself to his full height, his mouth thinned and two spots of colour appeared like warning flags on his cheeks. 'Miss Peterson, I'm obliged to you for offering your opinion on my recent purchase. I pride myself on being an expert in this field, but, of course, I bow to your superior knowledge.'
    His sarcasm was uncalled for. She had been about to apologize, to make light of her comment that the huge bay gelding was nearer fifteen years of age than five. However, his attitude goaded her into further comment.
    'Colonel Westcott, have you ever heard the expression long in the tooth ? This gelding has had his teeth filed. If you look closely at his gums you will observe the discrepancy. A horse, of the age you think this one is, would not have so much tooth showing.'
    His hands clenched. He no doubt wished to berate her for