Chapter 1
"Alright Little one, looking good, one more round and you have to go before your father comes here looking for you"
Y/N sighed "Do I have to go? He's trying to arrange a marriage for me and every man he's brought over was vile. Brock Rumlow was disgusting."
Thor chuckled "Sorry princess, daddy is the boss and we both have to toe his line. Now get Destry out there."
She turned Destry back towards the arena and patted his neck "Good job boy, once more and we can both rest" She looked over at Thor and grinned.
Thor looked at his stopwatch "And....go!"
Destry sailed over the jumps until he faced the water feature and balked so Y/N had to circle him back and try again. He only hesitated for a second before he cleared the jump and finished the course. She looked at Thor with a question in her eyes.
Thor shook his head "You will never make the team if he can't handle a water feature. We'll work on it more tomorrow, you need to hurry up to the house. There are already guests arriving."
She frowned as she dismounted "Fuck! I hate this bullshit. Why can't he leave me alone with you and the horses? But no, I have to be traded off to some "businessman" to help his interests"
Thor smiled sadly at her "I know, Little one but that's the life you were born to." He kissed her on the top of her head and took Destrys reins. "Go on now, I'll take care of him"
Y/N gave Destry a kiss on his forehead and kissed Thor softly on the lips "I'll see you later, hopefully I'll be able to sneak away after lunch."
Thor laughed and grabbed her ass "You know where to find me, princess"
Y/N strode away from the barn and across the lawn to the back door of the house. She opened the door as quietly as she could and softly climbed the rear stairs to her room. Once inside she quickly showered, changed into a dress that her father would approve of, fixed her hair and applied light make-up. Once she looked like she could pass his muster she slipped into a pair of heels and headed downstairs.
Unfortunately, her father had already sent one of his men to find her. She opened her bedroom door and ran right into Clint.
"Easy princess, don't hurt yourself." He looked her over appraisingly "Not the best I've seen but you should be acceptable for your father. Come on before both of us are in trouble"
She smiled stiffly at him "Gee thanks, I've always strived to be acceptable. What arrogant creep am I meeting today?" And took his offered arm.
Clint escorted her to the stairs "If you bothered to look at the email I sent you you'd already know who he is and some basic facts about him." He sighed "I know you don't want to do this but you don't have much choice. His name is James Barnes, he's th-"
"Yeah, king of Brooklyn, I've heard of him." She rolled her eyes "Doesn't he have a girlfriend? That redhead you were into if I remember right. Natalie something."
Clint nodded "Yeah, Natasha, she strung me along trying to get me to spill details about your fathers business, then went back to Barnes."
They reached the first floor and she leaned over and whispered "You deserve better" as he let her go to greet her parents.
"So do you, princess" Clint whispered as she walked away from him.
She curtseyed in front of her parents "Mother, Father"
Her mother smiled warmly "You look lovely dear, Mr Barnes will be blown away"
Her father scoffed and pulled on her hair, showing her a straw of hay he pulled out. "Could you at least make a sincere effort to look presentable? This horse obsession is getting old."
Y/N took a breath to compose herself "Thor thinks I have a good shot at the Olympic team this year"
Her father shook his head "Well this is your only chance. I expect you to be married by the end of next year and I doubt any man will tolerate your silly hobby. Enough of this, Mr Barnes is here." He leaned into her and whispered "I expect you to be on your best behavior."
"Of course, Daddy" she snipped before she turned around to greet their guests.
"Mr Barnes, this is my daughter Y/N"
She looked up to see a beautiful man with dark hair and the most startling blue eyes she had ever seen. Her breath caught and she felt a stirring in her core as she offered her hand to shake "Pleasure to meet you Mr Barnes" she said demurely.
He flashed her a stunning smile "Please, Doll, call me James" and kissed her hand. "This is my right hand, Natasha."
The gorgeous redhead at his side clenched her jaw and offered her hand "Nice to meet you Miss Y/L/N"
Y/N's father smiled and patted James on the back "Please, lets go sit, lunch is waiting."