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‘Black eyes, black colours for his team, and a black heart has never stood in the way for Chico Fernandez when it comes to unparalleled Gaucho Polo success for this world-beater’ This quote from one of the articles she had read about him seemed so relevant now If Chico’s opponents on the polo field were subject to this same force field, no wonder they found him formidable Most sports commentators said there had never been a player like him

And what did most women say?

She didn’t even want to think about his other wouessed Chico accepted as freely offered and then moved on, and could only thank her lucky stars that fate had decreed she would never be one of his discards

What a great thought—such a sensible thought—that unfortunately had no influence on her body, and her body still wanted him She blamed it on the primal imperative to mate with the leader of the pack

‘Forgive o to supper, I have one or two more questions for you, Lizzie’

She felt the blood drain from her face ‘Oh?’

‘As a representative of the grooms, could you tell me, are your quarters comfortable?’

Why did he care? Was he trying to trip her up? Was he looking for an excuse to get rid of her? ‘Quite comfortable, thank you’

He stabbed a glance at the utilitarian block where the students were housed What could she possibly have to colacierby the teirls No proble water they were all quick in the shower

‘Your bed’s comfortable?’

She frowned ‘Yes’

She would have gladly slept on a bed of nails for the chance to work at Fazenda Fernandez with the best trainer in the world on the best polo ponies in the world, and she really didn’t want to discuss her sleeping arrangements with Chico Fernandez Was he determined to unsettle her?

‘Thank you, Lizzie I had thought of rooms’ accommodation, but I can now see that that isn’t necessary’

Not necessary? Inwardly, she groaned I to make her

And then Chico stopped dead and she almost crashed into him His eyes narrowed as he stared down at her ‘Enjoy your supper, Lizzie’

‘I will’

‘Perhaps I’ll see you later—’

Not if she could help it She was going to stick to the original plan—keep her head doork hard, do well, and then go home with her diploma and her pride intact, so she could set up a viable business What was so attractive about a snarl and a swagger, anyway?

He couldn’t rest The past wasn’t just back, it had punched hiood humour of the cookhouse He didn’t want to see anyone, talk to anyone, especially Lizzie Fane, and so he paced the vast, polished oak floor on the ground floor of his hos He paused by the here he could see across the yard to the cookhouse What was she doing? Who was she with? He wasn’t fooled by her circumspect manner Lizzie had turned her back on him once When he was of no further use to her, would she do so again?

Probably, if he gave her the chance, which he wouldn’t

So was Lizzie Fane a force to be reckoned with? He s her out, but past events at Rottingdean stood between the forced to accept that Lizzie had a dainald Fane, had been a dissolute pervert who beat his wife, while Lizzie’s randht, but how ht to bear on Lizzie? Judging by Lizzie’s conteuessed

Horses were easier to breed than people, he concluded You could be sure of a horse’s bloodline and its flaws He’d been lucky that Eduardo had saved hi puppy in a sack in the river Eduardo hadn’t just taught hi Chico knew about horses, but how to live and work responsibly, and how to care for his fellow huht him how to eat in a civilisedEduardo had been like losing a father—a good father

Learning Eduardo had left hiest shock of his life Eduardo’s last words had been to beg Chico to shrug off his past and learn from it, but hoas he supposed to do that now that Lizzie Fane was back in his life? Leaving Lizzie twelve years ago had torn him up inside How could they leave a fifteen-year-old child in the care of her nymphomaniac mother, and a violent, debauched father? he had asked Eduardo He hadn’t known then what they had accused hirandet hied about Lizzie’s situation for the whole of their journey back to Brazil

‘It’s not your job to save Lizzie,’ Eduardo had told him firmly ‘You have your career to think about, and Lord Fane is too powerful, too respected, for you to take him on’

‘But I will one day,’ Chico had vowed

‘No,’ Eduardo had told hiet this and keep your mind on your work and your future career And as far as Lizzie Fane is concerned, you will forget her too, and place your trust, as I have done, in Lizzie’s grandmother’