Under the heiress facade

Nicholas glanced out the window again and noted the busy highway they were on. It was a complex structure that stood above rushing rapids. At the sight of this, he immediately shut up.

He was the only son of the Sanderson family. Not once in his entire privileged life had he been made to endure such indignation. Nothing had gone according to his plan today, and he wondered why the world was out to get him.

This was supposed to be his trip, for heaven's sake. He was supposed to be the main character.

An hour and a half later, they pulled up at a beautiful farm. The boulevard leading up to the farm was paved with vibrant flowers, and a wide meadow lay behind the farm. The landscape was bordered by a distant mountain range, offering a breathtaking view.

Hera and Samantha made a beeline for the meadow the moment they got out of the car.

Hera had learned to ride a horse during her time with the Killians, but she had not seen a meadow since she went to live with Catherine in the mountains.

Samantha, on the other hand, had dabbled in horseback riding while she was abroad, but she doubted the royal equestrian club covered even a third of this meadow.

Bernard, Shaun, and Nicholas followed the ladies out to the meadow. Wayne, having parked the car in the designated area, went to check them into their rooms.

"Want to ride?" Bernard asked when he stopped next to Hera.

Horse groomers were leading horses across the meadow while the tourists on horseback drank in the view around them.

"It's been a while since I rode on

rounds before nightfall," Samantha said as she led the group toward

when he heard that they were going horseback riding. He was brilliant at this sport, if his track record at Jedburgh's equestrian

suggested, "If we're all well-versed in riding, what do

the winner get a prize?"

will be the commander of this trip. Whatever he or she says

easy on Hera. She hasn't ridden on horseback

for the fun of it. You guys can

"Sounds good to

up, "It's a little juvenile, but I'm in if everyone's up for

of them

elegantly built Asterian Horse; Nicholas chose a black Thoroughbred; Shaun's mount was a white Quarter Horse; Hera settled on a silvery-white Heavenly Horse, and Bernard's horse was a

meadow, where a horse racing section had

thousandth yard of the

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Ready...and go!"