A black stallion rushed at Anne from the side as she crossed the road. The horse reared and Anne screamed, stumbling to the ground.

The horse calmed and the rider, a handsome, olive-skinned man with dark hair and darker eyes slid from the saddle to help her to her feet.

"A thousand pardons. You crossed so quickly in front of me, I did not see you." His gaze ran the length of her body. "You're not injured, I trust?"

Flustered and smarting from her fall, Anne ...