Velvet Embrace

Julian greeted them cheerfully as he trotted up. "Perfect day, isn't it? Dom will be along in a moment. His horse threw a shoe. It seems that his usual luck is deserting him. So, Caroline, you are riding this morning?"

His tone sounded so dubious that Caroline raised her pert nose in the air. "Isn't that what one is supposed to do in the country?"

Julian flashed her a boyish grin. "Well, see that you don't fall off. I don't want to be obliged to carry you home."

"I certainly hope it doesn't come to that! John plans to ride with me, though, so Fanny and I should muddle through well enough."

Brie listened to their conversation with half a

n ear as her eyes wandered over the crowd. Seeing a flash of color amid a cluster of riders, she paused to study a lovely blonde lady dressed in a vivid shade of orange.

The woman was a stranger to Brie, but Caroline obviously recognized her; when the blonde broke away from her companions and rode toward them, Caroline gasped.

The woman addressed Julian first, a cold smile fastened on her lips. "Lord Denville, how pleasant. When I accepted Lady Scofield's invitation for a few weeks in the country, I had no idea so many of my acquaintances would be in the neighborhood." Her gaze swept measuringly over Brie, then Caroline. "My word—Miss Langley, isn't it? I had heard you had to leave London for a period. And how are you enjoying your stay?"

Caroline looked anything but pleased, but she managed a stiff answer. "Quite well, thank you. I don't believe you have met my cousin, Miss Carringdon. Brie, this is Lady Denise Grayson."

Lady Denise acknowledged Brie with a slight inclination of her head. "Of course," she said patronizingly. "The country cousin. You must let me have the name of your dressmaker, dear. That is such a quaint riding costume you are wearing."

Brie was so taken aback by the woman's rudeness that she made no reply. Denise smiled frostily, then returned her attention to Julian. "But where is Dominic? Does he not intend to join the hunt?"

Looking uncomfortable, Julian murmured some reply about Dominic being along in a moment. When Denise finally turned her mount and made her way back to her own party, he let out a sigh of relief.

Caroline, on the other hand, was irate. "Of all the nerve! Did you know she was going to be here, Julian?"

He was still staring after the retreating figure of Lady Denise. "Here?" he replied,frowning. "No, of course not. And I doubt Dominic did either," he added under his breath.

"How dare she criticize Brie's habit! Especially when her own shows such shockingly bad taste. All those frogs and epaulettes! And that color. I wouldn't be at all surprised if she gets mistaken for the fox, although a cat would be more like it. I have no idea what men see in a woman like that. Then again, I suppose it is obvious." She let the words hang, watching as Dominic's arrival was neatly intercepted by Lady Denise.

"Hold your tongue, Caroline," Julian said, giving her a disapproving frown.

"Well, you may condone her escapades, but I certainly don't!"

"And what would you know of her escapades, young lady?"

"Good heavens, Julian! I'm not a complete innocent. All London knows she used to be his mistress."

The choking sound Julian made was drowned out by the blare of the huntsman's horn. When he glanced at Brie, he was startled to see the stricken look in her eyes. She had the reins clenched tightly in her hands as she watched the little drama being enacted by Dominic and his ex-mistress.

Julian scowled at Caroline, but she only tossed her head and urged her horse over to where John waited for her. "I hope Simms prevents her from breaking her little neck," Julian muttered. "Then I can have the pleasure."

The baying of the hounds grew louder then, and the pack began to move off. "Come, Brie," he said gently. "I'll give you a lead over so that fool animal you are riding will have some idea how to go on."

Brie tore her gaze away from Dominic, only to stare blindly down at her hands. When she didn't respond, Julian swore under his breath, "For God's sake, smile, will you? You've told me often enough not to wear my heart on my sleeve."

That made her head snap up, and she glared furiously at him. "I am not! I couldn't care less what that insufferable man does! Or what paramours he keeps!"

Julian grinned. "Then I'll lay you a wager. A pair of foils against a new saddle says I'll be the first up at the finish."

"Agreed!" Brie retorted, accepting the challenge. She dug her heels in Jester's flanks and the bay leapt forward. Shaking his head, Julian followed.

For the most part they stayed well to the fore, directly behind the huntsman and whippers-in. The pace was slow at first, and the morning was well advanced before a fox broke cover and the entire field took off at a gallop. The wild chase ended only when the baying hounds lost the scent.

An hour later the hunt was riding through a thickly wooded area belonging to Julian. The path was so narrow and twisting that the riders were forced to go single file. Brie ducked to avoid a low branch that hung out over the trail, but when Jester bolted the next instant, she was almost swept from the saddle. She managed to maintain her seat and bring the bay under control before he ran her into a tree or careened into the horses in front, but after that, she slowed her pace, allowing the leaders to widen the distance.

She had no further trouble for a time. When the trail turned again, she urged the bay into a canter to clear the trunk of an oak that had fallen across the path. They landed easily on the other side, but then she happened to glance to her right. Catching sight of a dark figure in the woods, she gave an involuntary cry and pulled her mount to a dead stop.

Julian was following closely behind her and was forced to check sharply to avoid a collision. He let out an oath as he fought to control his rearing mount, then rounded on Brie. "That was a damned foolish stunt! What in blazes were you doing—trying to kill us?"