Page 21 of How to Win a Duke’s Heart

“He was still asleep when I slipped out. I thought I’d check on him before breakfast,” she answered without looking at him.

They rode in companionable silence for several minutes. When they arrived at the pasture, Evan drew Eclipse to a stop, half-turned in his saddle, and pointed.

“Over there.”

Five gangly foals nibbled the bright green grass, three frolicked about the meadow, and two played with each other as their tolerant mothers gazed on.

Sophronie sighed. “There’s nothing I love more than horses, especially foals.”

“Ye’re actively involved with the breedin’ process on yer father’s estate?”

She gave him a considering, sidelong glance. “Not as much as you. I help select the stock and am always present for the births. Papa won’t allow me to observe the actual process. He says it’s not seeming for a lady.”

Evan was in agreement. His female kin were never permitted near the horseflesh when a stallion was being introduced to a broodmare.

“I think Papa forgets how many other animals we have on our plantation, Woodmead Hill.” She presented her profile and studied the foals. “The act is not a mystery to me.”

Evan nearly choked on a snort.

Not even his most outlandish grandmother or aunts spoke of animals coupling.

Sophronie, on the other hand, had stated the latter so matter-of-factly, she might’ve been conversing about the ocean’s tides or how to bake scones. No bashful blushes, stammering, or downcast eyes. Sophronie Slater was the only female of Evan’s acquaintance who could discuss such a delicate subject with ease.

He supposed he ought to be shocked or appalled, but he found her candidness refreshing.

“I’ll race ye to the hill,” Evan said on a sudden impulse, pointing to the mound a quarter-mile away.

Sophronie laughed and shook her head. “This little darling cannot hope to keep up with Eclipse. It would be most unfair. She may get her pride bruised.”

Evan couldn’t help but notice the way Sophronie’s trim, muscled legs flexed as she expertly kept her seat upon the saddle.

He gave a sage nod. “Aye, I suspected ye’d be afraid of losin’ to me.”

“Afraid?” She scoffed, narrowing her eyes until only the irises showed. “If I win, you owe me an apology.”

Eyebrows drawn together, Evan searched her flushed features and sparkling eyes. Why hadn’t he ever noticed her beauty before? Probably because every time she opened her mouth, they clashed. Nonetheless, at this moment, suspended in time with the sun’s newborn rays feathering her face in soft light and with the Highland meadow as a backdrop, Sophronie Slater was a heart-stopping vision.

Disturbed with the direction his wayward thoughts had taken him, Evan gave her a cocky grin. “For what?”

“Take your pick.” She swirled a hand in the air near her ear. “There’s been no shortage of offenses.”

“What do I get if I win, lass?”

“You won’t.” In a trice, she kicked Starlight’s sides, and they bolted into motion.

Evan laughed, feeling younger and more carefree than he had in years. At one with the horse, Sophronie Slater rode like no woman he’d ever seen. Strength and litheness encapsulated in agile, graceful femininity. A juxtaposition of contrast and expectations.

“Ye cheated,” he called, taking after her in hot pursuit. Eclipse could effortlessly overtake Starlight, but Evan found the chase every bit as exhilarating as the win.

Laughing, her strawberry blond hair slipped loose from its moorings and flowing behind her, Sophronie said something over her shoulder. Evan only caught part of what she shouted.

“…fair…love…war.”

All’s fair in love and war?

He let her keep a lead until they were within a few yards of their goal, and then he urged Eclipse past Starlight so that Evan won by a nose.

Eyes glittering, her face radiant, and her cheeks pink from exertion, Sophronie reined in her horse. She leaned forward and stroked Starlight’s neck.