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spine and she wondered at this cruel trick of fate.
Christopher Claybourne Kit, her husband was alive and
well. But how could this be? The shock that he was made her
forgetful of the soft meanderings of her mind whenever she
thought of him. Now his very name scalded her being with hot
indignation, and she wanted to scream in utter rage. Of all the
people her father could have hired to train his horses, why did
Helen Dickson 87
it have to be him? She looked this way and that for a means
of escape, but her father had seen her and was beckoning.
Reluctantly, her tension mounting, she walked towards
them. Christopher climbed over the fence and stood beside
her father, watching her approach, so sleek, so confident, so
devilishly attractive in his riding jacket and breeches and tan
leather boots. In fact, with his wicked smile and hair tumbling
darkly about his face, all he needed was a ring in his ear to
make him a handsome buccaneer. The man she had seen in
prison in his shabby garb was gone for ever metamorphosed
into this taut and fine-drawn man of steel and iron.
Please, God, Amanda thought with a feeling of terror of
what his appearance could mean for her, don t let him have
told Father who he is. What did he want? What was he doing
here with her father?
Wide awake to the implications of his reappearance into
her life, she stopped in front of them. Her heart set up a wild
beating as she looked up into her husband s face. Something
in his bold look challenged her spirit and increased her ire.
Taking her arm, her father drew her closer. Amanda, it
pleases me greatly to introduce to you Kit Benedict. He s the
man I told you about who s to train my horses. Many of them
are novices and need bringing on, so he s going to have his
work cut out.
Yes, Amanda thought, he had told her how he had met
someone at the sales who was more than willing to work for
him, but she had only listened with half an ear. Now she
looked at Kit directly, into his dark eyes set beneath sweeping
brows. His look was in no way threatening, yet there was a
sense of force distilled and harnessed in his stance. His lips
curved as he bowed his head, his eyes never leaving hers.
To Kit at that moment, this woman, his wife, was the most
ravishing beauty he had ever seen, and despite her delicate
88 Rogue s Widow, Gentleman s Wife
features and soft olive green eyes and the rosy softness of her
full lips, there was a boldness and confidence about her look
he well remembered from his prison cell. Her long hair
hanging down her back was as straight as a horse s tail and
quite astonishing a hundred different shades and dazzling
lights, ever changing in the sun s glow. He could not decide
if it was wine red, claret or the deepest colour of burgundy.
I am honoured to meet you, Miss O Connell.
There was no denying the reality of that familiar deep
voice. Her face expressionless, Amanda merely inclined her
head slightly in acknowledgment.
Nay, not O Connell, Kit. My daughter s Mrs Clay-
bourne sadly a widow, but tis not a permanent state, is it,
daughter? Though you seem to be in no hurry to be acquir-
ing another husband.
Amanda looked at her father and her eyes flared. It will
be as permanent as I want it to be, Father. It is not that I
oppose the institution, but I am in no hurry to relinquish my
single state just yet.
Aye, well Henry chuckled in good humour, his nose red
from the cold as he winked at Kit it becomes apparent to me
that you ve an error in your way of thinking. What say you, Kit?
Kit seemed to digest his words with a certain amount of
knowing amusement. The quirk in his lips deepened as he
peered at Amanda enquiringly. Perhaps your daughter s ex-
perience of marriage was not to her liking and she is reluc-
tant to repeat it.
Amanda responded with a feigned smile. My marriage did
not last long enough for me to form an opinion of it one way
or another, Mr Benedict.
Consulting the huge turnip-size watch he carried in his
waistcoat, Henry frowned. I must be getting back to the
house. I ve my lawyer coming from Manchester to talk over
Helen Dickson 89
some affairs. He should be here any time so I ll be off. He
glanced at the two of them. Stay and let Kit show you my
latest acquisitions, Amanda, he said, beginning to walk off,
and you can give me your verdict over dinner.
Watching her father s retreating figure, Amanda was alone
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