Velvet Embrace

"I say!" he protested, trying to untangle himself.

Brie winced when she recognized the high-pitched voice, for it belonged to Rupert Umstead. As usual, Rupert was dressed in an outlandish fashion. His cravat and shirt-points were so high that he had difficulty turning his head, and the bright colors he wore made him resemble a strutting peacock. Brie had considered pawning Rupert off on cousin, but seeing him now, she was no longer certain Caroline deserved such an ill turn.

Rupert was obviously delighted to see Brie, however, for he exclaimed over seeing her, acting as if her presence in town was a unique occurrence. Brie ground her teeth at his inanities, but when he turned and made Caroline an abject apology, she had no choice except to present her cousin.

Rupert made Caroline a sweeping bow. "I am honored to meet such a beautiful creature," he said solemnly. "I am at your feet, my dear lady—"

"There is no need for that, Rupert," Brie responded. "You can grovel at her feet some other day. For now, I'm afraid you must excuse us. We have another engagement." She firmly refused Rupert's offer to escort them and escaped with her cousin in tow.

Caroline said nothing until they had walked some distance down the street. "What was that all about?" she asked.

Brie smiled, her eyes sparkling. "I've repented."

"What?"

"Never mind. You don't want to know Mr. Umstead, believe me. He would have spoiled our tea and probably invited himself to dinner as well. The man is an utter fool. Come, Julian will be expecting us."

Caroline was unconvinced, for she had enjoyed being called a beautiful creature, but she decided not to argue.

The Viscount Denviile had indeed already arrived, they discovered when they entered The Blue Fox Inn. Brie and Caroline were led upstairs to a private parlor where he was waiting for them.

A handsome man, Julian was a few years older and a good deal taller than Brie. He had blue eyes, blond hair, and a ready smile, and his friendly open charm made him extremely likable. Dressed as he was in a dark brown coat and buff leather breeches, he looked every inch the sporting gentleman.

He rose when Brie and Caroline entered. "You are both looking beautiful today," he said pleasantly as he bowed over Brie's hand.

Caroline blushed at the compliment, but Brie laughed. "It sounds far more pleasing coming from you, Julian. Rupert Umstead just said the same thing, only he positively drooled."

Julian clasped his hand to his

breast in mock horror. "Brie, you have wounded me mortally. How dare you compare me to that oaf?"

When they were all seated at the table, enjoying the delicate finger sandwiches and dainty iced cakes the inn had provided, Julian asked Caroline how she was enjoying her stay. He listened politely when she described the shopping she had done, but his eyebrows rose when he learned she had ridden into town. "You rode? I thought you didn't care for horses."

"Oh, I didn't," Caroline stammered, "but I do." She blushed at Julian's grin, but then her expression became quite serious. "No one has ever taught me before, like Mr. Simms and Brie did. What to do and say, I mean. And I rode the nicest little mare. Fanny was wonderful."

Julian laughed. "Take care, Caroline. If your cousin has you talking to horses, you'll soon be eating oats. Speaking of horses," he said, turning to Brie, "I've been meaning to ask about your progress with Jester. What do you think? Is there hope for the beast?"

It was Brie's turn to color. "Some," she replied, trying to sound composed. "He still has a tendency to shy at unfamiliar sights and sounds, even though we've kept him around activity as much as possible. But I'm not willing to give up on him yet. Will you let me hunt him next week?"

"If you think it best, of course. By the way, I have a friend who is looking for some broodmares to expand his stable. Do you suppose John might be interested in parting with one or two of your Arabians?"

"He might," Brie said cautiously. "It would depend on the buyer."

"I can vouch for Stanton. He knows about horses and wouldn't mistreat them. I expect you will be green with envy when you see his stallion. A huge animal, black as coal. Spanish, I think."

Brie hardly heard his praise of the stallion. At the mention of Dominic, she paled visibly.

"What is it, Brie?" Julian asked when she threw a darting glance over her shoulder.

"Nothing," she prevaricated. "Tell me, is your friend here now?"

"No, but I expect him any day now. He was at the Lodge a few weeks ago during that fierce storm we had, but he was called away before I arrived. So then, do I have your permission to speak with John about the mares?"

The conversation turned to other subjects and Brie tried to keep up the appearance of enjoying herself, but she found it difficult since she wanted to run and hide. Dominic had been so very angry when she had hit him. If he returned, he would certainly seek her out. But perhaps when he discovered she was the owner of Greenwood, he would see that she merited the respect due a lady. And as Julian's guest, he would surely behave like a gentleman.

In spite of her rationalizations, however, Brie's nervousness did not diminish. When they had finished their tea, she rose and absently gathered up her belongings, hardly realizing when Julian draped her cloak over her shoulders. When he asked if she still wanted a fencing lesson on the morrow, she only nodded.

Caroline had been listening and was shocked. "With swords?" she exclaimed, her brown eyes wide with concern. "Brie, you don't mean to fence with him, do you? Why, you could be killed!"