Games (Timeless Series) by Sandy Loyd Read Free Book Online Page A

far from being an old maid.”
    “I am almost twenty-one. My sister was married at eighteen and was a widow at twenty.”
    “I’d hardly call twenty old . Besides, didn’t you say Marguerite married for love?” At her nod, she went on. “She was one of the lucky ones to find it so young.”
    Giselle thought she’d found it too, but she’d been totally mistaken. “I have met so many men and no one strikes my fancy.”
    Libby walked gracefully to the fence and hefted herself on it in a carefree manner . Giselle followed. Leaning next to her, she took a deep breath while scanning the landscape. She sighed. “Maybe the fault lies in me. I like Bradford and he likes me—too much if you really must know the truth. Why can’t I fall in love with someone like him?”
    “Maybe you simply need to give him a chance,” Libby replied, distractedly tearing a leaf she’d picked up in two . “Don’t compare him to Simon.”
    “I do not.”
    “Are you sure?”
    Giselle remained quiet, not liking the answer.
    “Besides, I would think having someone to count on is important . One thing I’ve noticed. You can count on Bradford being here every Saturday at two o’clock sharp.”
    A nother burst of laughter rushed up. “Then you marry him. Oh, that’s right. You have already married an exciting, good-looking man. So you do not need predictable. Confess. You also find him unexciting.”
    “A bit . But I do think that in itself could be a good thing.”
    “Yes, maybe for someone like Amelia Higgins .” Shy Amelia was a friend the two women mainly saw at church on Sundays or while visiting in town. Thinking of Simon’s bold moves the night at the ball and the next day, Giselle smiled at the thought of what Amelia’s reaction would be if Simon had waylaid her. “She would die of fright if a bold man ever paid any attention to her. Of course, since we are talking about me, it is just my luck that it will take a bold man to keep me from dying of boredom. Too bad Colin does not have a brother.”
    Libby chuckled . Just then, a long, wet nose nuzzled between them searching for Libby’s hand. Looking down, Giselle noticed the young stallion, his proud head bobbing up and down. The horse neighed.
    “Well, look who’s trying to get my attention,” Libby said triumphantly. “Let’s see how much he wants to please me.” She jumped off the fence and moved to observe what the horse did when she placed the bit into his mouth. When he responded favorably, she laughed. “Yes, there is something to behold in the predictability of the male species. Some males hate to be ignored. They will do anything to keep that from happening. Don’t you agree, Giselle?”
    “Wholeheartedly .”
    “Shall we finish here and then go for a quick ride?”
    Giselle nodded. “I would love a ride.”
    After completing their tasks, the two women headed toward the stables .
    ~~
    He stayed in the shadows, watching them lead their horses out of the stable, laughing and joking with not a care in the world. He swallowed a snicker. They had no idea he stalked them—no idea he stood so close. Smiling maliciously, a thrill passed through him. Too easy, he thought, and somewhat disappointing at what little challenge was required. He’d been working at Twin Oaks for over a month, blending in, biding his time, and learning the daily habits of all those on Colin Thorpe’s stud farm. Trusting fools, all of them. So totally caught up in training and working. Just as his employer said they would be, and just as the other owners had been. No one had any clue of the danger.
    Clenching his fist at his side, he could almost feel the weight of the added gold, easiest coin he’d ever make .
    After waiting several more minutes, he slipped farther into the stable, unobserved.
    Stalking up to Fortuna’s stall, he noticed the horse give a nervous neigh and shy away . He stopped when he got to her closed gate and let out a low, menacing chuckle. Yes, he thought. The