This lively short story has a gorgeous cover. The tale begins in wealthy Sussex in 1819. Lady Arabella looks forward to riding out even in December, but answers her brother's summons to be told that he has chosen a husband for her. This man is an Earl, aged thirty-four - which seems very old to this young lady in her early twenties. Oliver Westwyck is to spend Christmas with them, and then they will marry. She feels as though she's being sold as breeding stock, but has no real say in her life.

THE EARL'S CHRISTMAS COLT takes an impish turn as Arabella's mare goes lame and she leads her to the nearest stable, a coaching inn. Riding on her own family's land she had no escort, and now assumes that the man she meets in the stables, informally dressed, is the ostler. In fact he's her future husband, but as they haven't been formally introduced he decides not to say so, expecting the lady to go in out of the weather. Instead she stands around dripping in her long riding skirt, giving directions as to how to care for her mare. Oliver smiles and proceeds with skill. He's a horse breeder, and Arabella is struck with admiration for the handsome colt he's brought along. Arabella thinks of staying for the night, but she's not chaperoned, and realises she cannot risk censure for hoydenish behaviour - which would give the earl every reason to refuse the wedding. The evening's rain is turning to snow.

I enjoyed the tale and both the characters and the horses came across very well. The only niggle I have with the writing is that the term sorrel is not in use in Britain; this colour horse would be called chestnut. The cover picture shows a woman riding astride, with long skirts on the right side of the horse when a lady at this time rode side-saddle with the legs and skirt on the left side, as the author described in the story. This horse also isn't in a double bridle, just a pelham bit. But the discrepancy isn't the author's fault, and it's still a gorgeous, eye- catching photo. Rebecca Thomas clearly loves horses and I hope to read more by her; THE EARL'S CHRISTMAS COLT isn't nearly long enough.

Book Summary

Lady Arabella Sutton is stunned to learn her brother has betrothed her to a stranger despite his promises for a season in London. Although she is the first to admit no man would suit, since she’s more interested in horses than marriage, the last thing she wants is to become a brood mare to a stuffy old earl. Facing a future she cannot abide, she takes an impetuous ride to clear her head and ends up tending her injured mare instead.

Oliver Westwyck, the Earl of Marsdale, can’t believe his luck when he stops at an inn the night before he’s to meet his fiancée. In the stable, while tending the colt he intends to give to his future wife, he happens upon her—rain-drenched but beautiful. She assumes he’s a stable hand, a fine joke he means to end...until Lady Arabella declares all noblemen are egotistical, conceited, and arrogant. How can he reveal his true identity before he’s managed to change her mind and win her heart?

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