The Earls lie or a scoundrels promise

And not just in mens clothing.

Chapter Ten - And not just in mens clothing

Lizzie woke early the next morning, early enough to ride before the rest of the house would be up and about, she hurried out the servants door through the courtyard and down to the stable where Misty would be saddled and waiting, she couldn't wait to ride, she'd tossed and turned all night at the thought of his heat between her legs. She knew it was risky with guests but the sun had only just began to start her morning ascent. She slipped into the stable as dawn crept across the hills.

'Good morning Henry'

She didn't even look toward the stable boy, who saddles Misty for her. She was to eager to excited to ride, she need to ride hard and fast to let off some of the tension she felt,

She heard Henry shuffle outside as She ducked behind a beam, behind several stacks of hay and changed as fast as she could. She folded her simple dress and hid it in place of where her riding clothes lived. She tucked her hair under the cap and was ready.

Blake watched her sneak into the stable, and waited until he saw her alter ego emerge. He'd hazard a guess that she'd want to ride today, and with a house full, her best opportunity would be early morning. He had risen in time to hopefullly join her, he'd been waiting long before the sun.

He watched her ride off picking up pace, watched her round bottom slap against the saddle rhythmically. He waited until she was a good distance before making his own way around the edge of the fields, so that she wouldn't notice him. He didn't once take his eye off her.

She was an incredible horsewoman. She was at a pace that most men wouldn't dare. He had to pick up his own pace if he were to catch up to her. When he finally found her, she was sat atop her horse as it drank from the edge of a small lake.

He came up behind her, keeping his distance so he might have a little fun with her.

Elizabeth was so engrossed in the morning ride, catching her breath, enjoy the feel of the speed, the power of the horse, she hadn't heard the sound of hooves until it was too late.

'You boy! Don't you know this is private land?'

That glorious, thunderous voice. She knew it in an instance, What to do? She can't be seen like this, not by him, not by anyone!

She held up a hand as if to apologise and went to move off,

'Wait'.

She froze at his command just as she was about to move off as fast as she could.

Oh god oh god oh god!

'Are you the stable lad?'

Really? Did she really look like Henry?

'Yes, Sir '

She cringed at the attempt to lower her voice

'I thought so, well lad what are you doing out? I saw you ride across the land. Don't you have duties to be attending? I mean I had to saddle my own horse'

'Aye, sir.'

She pulled her cap lower and kept her back to him

'Don't you think you ought to face me while I address you?'

She turned her horse to face him and kept her head down. She was sure she would be caught.

Blake had a hard time not laughing. She was trying, and trying hard. She had even dropped her voice a little.

'That's better'

He brought his horse alongside her and she knew she would be caught.

'Now when I return to the stable, I would like you to rub down my horse, brush him, clean him and check his feet, I need him in tip top condition. His tail alone must be brushed 500 strokes to really get it to shine and...'