They Dared the Maid to Ride the Duke’s Wildest Stallion—She Shocked Everyone by Riding It Bareback
Chapter 10
The hunting lodge stood beyond the northern forest.
Alexander had been attacked on the road but escaped into the woods.
He had only two men with him.
One was injured.
The other had gone to seek help.
When Eleanor arrived, she found Alexander standing outside the lodge with a pistol in his hand.
He stared at her.
“What are you doing here?”
“Saving you from being murdered.”
He almost smiled.
“That is usually my responsibility.”
“Not tonight.”
Thunder snorted behind her.
Alexander looked at the horse.
Then back at Eleanor.
“You rode him here?”
“Yes.”
“Bareback?”
“Yes.”
He shook his head.
“You are either the bravest woman I have ever met or the most unreasonable.”
“Perhaps both.”
For a moment, they stood silently.
Then Alexander stepped closer.
He gently removed a leaf from Eleanor’s hair.
She froze.
His hand remained near her temple for a second longer than necessary.
Neither spoke.
Then a gunshot sounded.
Alexander pushed Eleanor behind him.
Men emerged between the trees.
Captain Harrow.
Lord Edmund.
And four armed riders.
Edmund called:
“Give me the deeds, Alexander!”
The duke stared.
“You attacked my men for papers you will never legally own.”
“They will be mine once you sign them.”
“You forged my seal.”
Edmund laughed.
“And who will prove it?”
Alexander’s gaze hardened.
“You just did.”
Edmund fired.
The shot struck the wooden post beside Alexander.
Chaos erupted.
Eleanor ran toward the horses.
Thunder reared.
She seized his mane.
“Come!”
The stallion charged.
Eleanor rode straight toward the attackers.
Harrow tried to block her.
Thunder swerved.
Eleanor reached for Harrow’s arm and pulled.
He fell from his horse.
Alexander fired.
Another man fled.
Edmund turned his horse.
“Coward!” Alexander shouted.
But Edmund disappeared into the trees.
Eleanor looked at Alexander.
“Why did he need the deeds so badly?”
Alexander lowered his pistol.
“Because there is another secret.”
“What secret?”
“My father’s will.”
He looked toward the dark forest.
“If Edmund obtains it, he can challenge my ownership of half the estate.”
Eleanor understood.
The theft had been planned for months.
And Thunder had been one small piece of it.
