A tiny smile tugged at her lips. "I admit I value him all the more for his good judgment."
"You should. Jared hasn't been thrown since he was-"
"What are you going to do with the stallion?" Jared interrupted. "Keep him as a pet to ride around your beautiful island?"
She stiffened at the faint sarcasm beneath the silkiness of his tone. "If I choose. Why not?"
"Because it's a damnable waste. A horse that fine should be put to stud and sire horses equally splendid."
"I do intend to breed him. I'm going to have a horse farm on the other side of the island."
"You have a mare?"
"Not yet. I haven't found one suitable."
"And I doubt if you will on this island."
She glared at him. "I found Kapu."
"One chance in a thousand."
"Fate," Bradford murmured. "It appears that destiny has a special fondness for this place."
"Not enough to provide a fit consort for the stallion," Jared said. "And do you have enough money to buy her if you do find her?"
"I will find a way to get her."
"You won't find a mare by playing in the sand and dreaming about it," he said tauntingly.
"What makes you think that's all I do?" Her hands clenched the arm of her chair. "You know nothing about me."
"Jared." Bradford's tone carried both puzzlement and warning..
Christ, Jared thought. The girl was gazing at him with defiance, but her eyes were glittering with moisture. He had clearly stumbled on a dream she was desperate to fulfill, and he was as puzzled as Bradford at his desire to rob her of it. He had found a weakness and had instinctively attacked. "My apologies. You're correct, I know nothing about you."
"I've been looking for a mare," she insisted. "I meet every ship and talk to the captains. I've traveled all over this island. I was going to Maui next month to see if-"
"I said I was sorry," he said roughly. "It's not my concern."
"No, it's not." She stood up and moved quickly toward the door. "I'll be back. I must see what's keeping Lani."
Bradford shook his head as she left the room.
"Don't say it," Jared said.
"I don't have to, do I? I just wondered if you were planning on sticking pins into her during supper. If so, I really prefer not to be around."
Jared didn't answer.
"Of course, there's the possibility she won't join us for supper. I don't know many women who would come back for that sort of punishment."
"She'll be there."
"You seem very certain."
He was certain. All through that barbed exchange he had been aware of the core of strength beneath her fragile, childlike exterior. She had not yielded; she had only retreated because he had struck her in a vulnerable spot. "She'll join us for supper."
"And you will be a cordial and well-mannered gentleman," Bradford said with firmness.
Jared looked at him in surprise. "Good God, gallantry?"
"On occasion."
"Not one I've witnessed."
"I make sure I'm seldom in a position where it's required. It's a most uncomfortable state for a rogue such as me." Bradford yawned and leaned back in his chair. "But I'm forced to defend mistreated horses and helpless children. So if you have a fondness for me, don't make me expend the effort. Behave yourself, Jared."
"By all means," he said mockingly. "I wouldn't want to disturb you."
"Splendid. Now, pour me another brandy."
Cassie stopped just inside the veranda door to gather her composure. She should not have let his criticism disturb her so much. She did not care what he thought of her.
You won't get her by playing in the sand and dreaming about it.
Those were the words that had struck home. Had she been dreaming like a child instead of acting to make her vision of a horse farm come true? She had made several attempts to find the mare, but had she tried hard enough? Had she used Papa as an excuse to avoid venturing forth? There had seemed no hurry, and she had let time drift by…
"Are you ill? Perhaps you should go back to your room."
Cassie looked up to see Lani coming down the hall, a concerned frown on her face.
She smiled with an effort. "I'm fine. I was just coming to look for you."
"I was in the kitchen trying to keep Uma from hitting Clara with a pot and going back to her village." She grimaced. "It wasn't easy. Clara is being more difficult than usual about the meal preparations for the English. She was raving about heathen servants and people who got in her way while she was doing her duty. I gathered the last volley was aimed at you."
"I didn't stay in the kitchen very long."
"Long enough to annoy her." Lani looked beyond her to the veranda. "If you're not ill, then you're upset What did they say to you?"
She should have known she could not deceive Lani. "Nothing important." To distract her, she said quickly, "Is supper ready?"
Lani nodded. "Clara sent me to inform our honored guests."
Cassie's stomach clenched with apprehension and dread. "Then let's do it."
"Wait." Lani's gaze was on her face. "You're sure you're well enough?"
"Of course." She turned and moved toward the veranda. "It's only dinner. It will be over before we know it."
It was a strained meal that seemed to go on forever. Neither Cassie nor Lani were eager to speak. Jared was fastidiously polite and cool as the North Star. Bradford was affable but gave up after a few attempts at conversation and devoted himself to the food.
Clara Kidman marched into the dining room after Uma had removed the main course. "I hope everything met with your approval, Your Grace."
Cassie looked at her in amazement. It was the first time she had seen Clara in Danemount's presence and was bewildered by the servility in her manner.
"It was absolutely delicious." Jared smiled. "I've not had such a fine meal since I left London. But it's only what I expected. I could tell the moment I met you that you had the reins of the household firmly in your hands."
A faint tinge of color flushed Clara's cheeks. "I know it's not what you're accustomed to, but it's the best I could do with only these heathen islanders to help me."
"Uma is not a heathen," Lani said quietly. "She studied with me at Mrs. Densworth's school."
Clara met Lani's gaze. "It takes more than a few lessons to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."
"You have a fine cook," Jared interjected quickly. "But I'm sure it was your expert supervision that carried the day."
"The meal was adequate," Clara said grudgingly. "But I couldn't trust the dessert to anyone but myself. I'll have it brought in at once."
"Thank you, but I seldom eat dessert."
Clara frowned in disappointment. "It's my own special lemon syllabub."
Cassie lifted her brows in mock surprise. "Perhaps he would rather trust his digestion to the heathens, Clara."
Jared's lips tightened as he met Cassie's challenging stare. "Nonsense." He turned to Clara with another brilliant smile. "I'd be delighted to try your syllabub."
Clara gave Cassie a triumphant glance and hurried from the dining room.
"Charming woman," Bradford said, looking at the doorway through which Clara had disappeared. "Am I supposed to compliment the witch on this delicacy?"
"With fervent enthusiasm," Jared said. "She may still prove useful."
Bradford shifted his stare to Lani. "I think not. You do it, Jared. It would stick in my throat."
"Because the old woman insulted me?" Lani asked coolly. "There's no wound. I'm accustomed to her venom."
"And Deville permits it?"
"She doesn't do it when he's here."
"But does he know?" Bradford probed softly. "That's the question."