Vow of Seduction. Angela Johnson

needs so simple, and their love unconditional. She had much love to give. And with a child to love and to love her in return, she would finally have the acceptance she desperately craved.

      “This is the stable,” Matthew said in surprise.

      “Aye. There is a friend of mine I want you to meet.”

      They entered the large stable, the wide-aisled structure cool in the shadows. The familiar smells of saddle leather, hay, and horses that Kat loved filled her nostrils while her eyes adjusted to the dimmed interior. Thirty stalls lined each side of the long pillared building, only a third of them with occupants. Apparently, the king was out hunting with his court, one of his favorite pastimes.

      A familiar whinny drew Kat down the aisle to an occupied stall. Behind her, Kat heard Matthew whisper in awe, “He’s a beauty.”

      Opening the wooden door to the stall, Kat chuckled. “He is a she, and her name is Lightning.” Patting her palfrey’s muzzle affectionately, Kat crooned, “Aye, my lovely lady, you are without compare. And please forgive Matthew, he meant no offense by mistaking you for a male.” The mare was steel gray with a black mane and tail, but in the sunshine she took on a silvery hue.

      Matthew hovered outside the stall, his eyes filled with awe and a little trepidation. “Is this your horse?”

      “Aye, and my best friend. Come on in, Matthew. Grab that stool as you do.”

      When Matthew hesitated, Kat coaxed him in a soothing voice she used to calm her mare. “Lightning is a very special horse. Gentle, too. She was a bride gift from my father-in-law. You need not fear her.”

      “I’m not afraid,” he said quickly, and bravely entered to stand beside her.

      She took the stool from his hand and set it on the hay-covered floor. Lightning bent her head and nudged Kat with her nose. Matthew laughed, an infectious giggle that warmed her heart.

      “Climb up on the stool, Matthew, so you can reach her.” He obeyed immediately and Kat showed him how Lightning liked to be petted.

      Matthew had a charming dimple in his left cheek when he smiled. “She is so warm and soft,” he said, stroking the gray mare’s chest. His eyes sparkled and Kat was glad she had helped him forget his cares for a while.

      “Whenever I am troubled, Matthew, or need to get away from my worries, I come here. Just being with Lightning makes me feel better straight away.”

      “You are lucky to have such a friend,” Matthew whispered, his face averted.

      The statement verified what Kat had already suspected, and she blinked back the tears welling in her eyes. She well remembered the loneliness of her own childhood. Children were sometimes cruel and, as a child, she was teased and tortured for her mannish behavior. She was stronger for it, but that did not make the hurt any less.

      “I want you to consider Lightning your friend, too. You may come and visit her in her stall whenever you want, whenever you need to be alone. Do you understand what I mean, Matthew?”

      His brown eyes grew wide and filled with understanding. “I would like that above all things.”

      “Good.” At that moment, Lightning whinnied and shook her head. Kat patted her in acknowledgement, lavishing her with attention. Beside the mare, Matthew wrapped his small arms around the warm horseflesh and laid his cheek along Lightning’s neck.

      Kat had not lied to Matthew earlier. Whenever distressed, she sought the company of her horse. And Alex’s return certainly qualified as distressing. She had a very important decision to make whether to accept the devil’s bargain.

      After removing a curry brush from the back wall, she showed Matthew how to groom the gray mare. As she did, her troubles seemed to slough away like horsehair from Lightning’s back. A sense of peace filled her. Even so, quietly and insidiously, one thought resounded in the back of her mind: ’tis merely the calm before the storm.