Read Love's Misadventure (The Mason Siblings Series Book 1) for Free Online

have a matter that I wish to discuss with you.
     
    I will be in your front drive at one of the clock precisely, should you wish to join me. There is no need to reply to this letter.
     
    Lane
     
    It was a strangely unemotional and undetailed missive, which was entirely at odds with his customary letters.
    She glanced at the mantle clock and gasped. It was nearly noon! She leapt from her seat and fled the room, pausing in the foyer. Bernard stood at attention against the far wall.
    “Bernard, would you have Lady Maximus saddled and brought round front for one of the clock, please?”
    He bowed. “Certainly, Miss Bradley.”
    “And if you could send Marie to my bedchamber, I would be much obliged.”
    “Of course.” The young footman hurried to do as he was bid, and Anna continued up the stairs.
    Within moments she sped through her bedchamber door, closing it behind her. She pulled her deep-blue riding habit from the wardrobe and draped it over the foot of her bed.
    There was a tap at her door, and she called entrance.
    “You rang for me, Miss Anna?”
    Anna smiled at her maid. “Yes, I’d like to wash and change into my riding habit, if you please.”
    “Of course, Miss.”
    Together they worked at giving Anna a standing bath and getting her riding habit on in time to meet Lane. By the time Marie was fixing her hair, it was nearly time.
    Anna’s stomach jumped with nervousness. She had hoped to be mounted on Lady Maximus before Lane arrived.
    “This will do, Marie. My bonnet will cover my hair anyway.”
    The maid was hesitant but acquiesced. “Very good, Miss.”
    Annabel left her bedchamber with a thank you to Marie and hurried down the stairs.
    Tim looked on as she descended. “Miss Bradley, your mount is on the front drive, and Hawkins is ready to accompany you,” he said from his position at the front door.
    “Thank you, Tim!” she said breathlessly.
    She accepted her bonnet and gloves from a footman with a smile and began to put them on.
    “Anna.” Charles stepped into the foyer from the parlour’s opened door, his expression uneasy and a mite pale.
    “Oh, hello, Charles.” She stepped forward in concern. “Are you well? You look positively ashen.”
    He grinned at her. “Quite well, I assure you. Must have been something I ate.” He cleared his throat. “Where are you off to?”
    Reassured, she tied her bonnet ribbons beneath her chin. “I am to go riding with Lane.”
    He nodded. “I will see you at supper, I trust?”
    “You will. Have a pleasant day, Charles. Do feel better.”
    “Thank you, dear sister.”
    She sent a smile to everyone in the foyer then strode quickly through the front door. The day was indeed lovely. The sun shone brightly, the sky was nearly cloudless, and the birds were happily chirping in the nearby trees. It was a splendid day for a ride.
    She slipped her hands into her white kid gloves and fastened the button at each wrist. Had Lane met a woman that he wished to court? Her stomach knotted at the thought. Perhaps he had finished reading the novel she had lent him and wished to discuss it.
    “Good afternoon, Hawkins.” She smiled at the head groom as he made a step with his hands to assist her onto her horse.
    “Good afternoon, Miss Bradley,” he grunted, as she placed her weight into his awaiting palms.
    Comfortably situated on Lady Maximus, Anna gave the grey mare a pat and a rub to her neck. “We will have a good ride today, my Lady.”
    The clip-clop of a horse’s hooves came from behind her, and she turned Lady Maximus to face the rider.
    Her heart began to drum wildly against her ribs as Lane walked his big, black gelding toward her. He made a striking figure on that horse. His tan riding breeches fit snugly on his muscular thighs, paired with a brown riding coat that reminded her of her evening hot chocolate and matched his warm eyes.
    Hawkins mounted his horse just as Lane reached them.
    “Good afternoon, Annabel,” Lane rumbled as he pulled Pegasus