Ledbetter appeared with the brown waistcoat. He ventured to say, “You’ve never worn this before. You said it was ‘overly ornamented.’”
“Hand it to me,” Anthony growled. If Anna decided not to wait on him and had returned to the nursery with the children, she’d be as safe as a nun locked in a cloister.
He buttoned the waistcoat, yanked his coat in place, and strode out the room. He reached the foyer and was relieved to see his quarry standing at the bottom of the stairs before the wide cheval mirror, adjusting her collar. “Miss Thraxton.”
She peeped at him from beneath the brim of her hat, an almost mischievous expression in her light gray eyes. “Lord Greyley, you are late. I was just going to ask one of the footmen to send you a note.”
“I’m afraid I overslept.”
“Did you?” Anna gathered her skirts and walked past the footman who held the door open, the white feather on her hat bouncing cheerfully. “I’ve been ready for hours.”
Anthony frowned. She should be wary, if not irritated, he’d foisted this ride on her. He was halfway down the steps when he realized what had left his future mistress in such good spirits.
Not two, but seven horses were saddled and ready for the ride. At the front sat Selena astride a very fat old pony that appeared none too pleased to be awake at this time of the morning. “We’re going riding,” she piped up, her voice breaking the chill morning silence. “With the sun!”
The other children broke into burbling talk, annoyingly eager to be off. Even Desford seemed less filled with scowls.
Anthony caught Anna’s arm and brought her to a halt before him. “This was not part of our bargain.”
She pulled her arm free and tugged on her gloves. “We had no bargain. You invited me to go for a ride and I accepted.” She turned a calm gray gaze his way, her lashes casting shadows over her cheeks, her wide mouth curved in a smile. “What difference does it make, Greyley? The children won’t slow us down. They are capital riders, even Selena.”
“Perhaps I wished for the opportunity to speak with you without interruption.”
“If we ride two abreast, we will be able to do just that,” she returned, then sailed down the remainder of the steps and allowed a groom to assist her onto her horse.
Anthony watched her with reluctant appreciation. The minx had outmaneuvered him. So far. A ghost of a grin soothed his irritation. His success might be delayed, but only that.
He followed her down the steps and mounted his own horse. Soon they were under way, the wispy morning fog lifting as the sun heated the day.
Anthony led them to a wide, leafy pathway that led to a small, gurgling river. He’d originally intended to take another route, but there would have been no opportunity to ride two abreast on such a narrow path.
But Anna still managed to avoid him, riding forward to check on Selena, whose stubborn pony showed an annoying tendency to stop walking and take a nap, or to quell Desford and Richard, who wanted to race at breakneck speed.
Content for the moment just to watch her, Anthony let her have her way. She was amazing with the children, speaking to them as if they were adults. She calmed Elizabeth, who had developed a fear of Marian’s pony because it tried to nip at her, convinced Selena to be firmer with her stubborn mount, and then adroitly soothed Richard’s wounded feelings when Desford decided to ride ahead.
Finally, there was nothing more to be done—the children were settled, enjoying the ride and the feeling of the crisp air and the bright sunshine. Anna returned to ride by his side.
Anthony nodded toward Desford, who rode just ahead. “I remember very little about being that age.”
“Even if you did, it wouldn’t help you to understand Desford. Poor child, he doesn’t have anything of his own. Not really.” At Anthony’s surprised look, she waved a hand. “Oh, I don’t mean clothing and such. I mean personal items. I, for example, have a locket that belonged to my grandmother. It isn’t very valuable, for Grandpapa bought it for her at a fair. But it is dear to me all the same and gives me the feeling of belonging somewhere.”
“Surely he has something of his father’s?”
“No. Not a thing. I gather the children were collected from their home and brought here in a rather abrupt manner.”
Had they? Anthony’d sent Dalmapple to bring the children to Greyley, but he couldn’t remember telling anyone he was in a hurry. Oh, he might have told someone not to dawdle, but surely—He caught Anna’s accusing stare and frowned. “I never intended that they leave anything behind.”
“That’s not the impression they were given.”
“I shall remedy that as soon as possible.” Ahead, Desford was engaged in a loud argument with Marian about the quality of their mounts. It reminded Anthony so much of himself and Sara at that same age that he almost smiled. “I was about Desford’s age when my stepfather gave me my first knife. I have it still. Perhaps I should pass it on to him.”
She slanted him an interested glance. “Your sister once told me that you were fond of your stepfather.”
“I try to live up to his name every day.
Anna tilted her head to one side, a fat red curl coming to rest on her collar. “I think you are far more St. John than Elliot.”
“Miss Thraxton, you unman me.”
“If it were that easy, Lady Putney would have done it long ago.”
He had to laugh. “Indeed she would.”
Anna smiled and they rode in silence for a way. The sunlight dappled her hair with a lacy pattern and caressed the white line of her cheek. She had the smoothest, most perfect skin of any woman he’d ever seen, white as cream and silken to the touch.
The increasingly loud sound of rushing water interrupted his thoughts and they came to a large clearing beside a stream. “We should stop here,” he said just loud enough for the children to hear him.
“May we swim?” Marian asked, already sliding off her pony.
“Not in those clothes,” Anna said.
“Oh,” Marian said, disappointment in her tone. She looped her pony’s reins over a bush and looked longingly toward the stream. The other children did the same, Desford helping Selena down as soon as his own mount was secure.
“Maybe we can just wade,” Elizabeth said hopefully.
“There is a path you can explore,” Anthony offered as he dismounted. The children were off down the path in a trice, talking excitedly. Desford followed at the rear, casting one or two curious gazes behind him as he went.
Anthony glanced at Anna. “The path only goes a short distance and leads them away from the water. They will be back within thirty minutes, depending on how long they tarry.” He looped his reins over a branch, then returned to Anna. “It appears we will have some privacy after all.”
Anna’s fingers curled tightly about the reins. For some reason she was finding Greyley’s dark glances even more disturbing than usual. “That was devious.”
“Surely not.”
She ignored his outstretched hand. “I don’t like the children wandering through the woods. They could get hurt.”
“They are within shouting distance. Once you dismount, we could wander in their direction. I daresay we’ll meet them coming back.”
She looked down at him, at the way his dark gold hair fell over his brow, softening his stern features. There was a hint of humor about his mouth, and in his dark brown eyes. “You wish to discuss that damnable schedule.”
“Among other things.”
She really didn’t have a choice. To remain on horseback put her at a distinct disadvantage in locating the children. With a barely repressed sigh, she dismounted. Instead of stepping away, he moved closer, clasping her waist with a strong grip. Anna was used to being as tall as, if not taller than, most men, and she noted the strength of him with approval.
Once her feet touched the ground, she glanced up at him. “Thank—”
His mouth descended on hers, warm and commanding. For a startled second Anna did nothing, but
savored the feel of a man’s arms about her, of being possessed and cherished. His hands tightened, then moved to her hips, and suddenly it was as if her senses exploded in a flame of searing heat. She forgot where she was, forgot who she was, and melted beneath his kiss.
The kiss deepened and Anna moaned restlessly. She was afire, hot and restless, drained of the will to protest. She didn’t want to protest—she wanted this man in a way she’d never wanted another. The realization shook a path through her bemused senses and she broke free, stepped away, trembling. “You cannot do that.”
His eyes glowed with heat. “Why not?”
“Because you are an earl and I am a governess.”
He smiled then, and captured her against him, his warm body sparking a response deep within her. “You are also a Thraxton while I am a mere Elliot. Your family is far more respectable than mine.”
It was madness. It was folly. It was also unaccountably delicious. So long as I keep my heart in my possession… She found herself leaning forward, her lips brushing his with the faintest of touches.
The simple touch was lost in an avalanche of emotion. They were not just kissing, they were tasting, devouring, their hands pulling each other closer, harder. Anna moaned as Greyley’s hands cupped her bottom intimately, pulling her against his erection. She tilted her head back and his lips traced an impassioned line down her throat.
“Miss Thraxton?” came a childish voice.
It broke over Anna like a wave of icy water and she took a stumbling step away from Greyley.
There, not ten feet behind her, stood Selena. The little girl eyed her warily. “Are you sick?
Heart thudding, Anna managed an uncertain laugh. “Sick? No, no! I’m fine.”
“You were moaning like your tummy hurt.”
“It wasn’t her tummy,” Greyley murmured, his voice low and indecently husky. “It was her—”
“Eye,” Anna said sharply, glaring at him.
“That’s what I was going to say,” he replied, a dangerous quirk to his mouth.
Anna conjugated the Latin word for “kick” before she managed a smile at Selena. “We were just looking for something that was stuck in my eye.”
“A large piece of bark,” the earl offered.
“Exactly,” Anna said, a little mollified the blackguard was finally assisting her.
“A large, hard piece of bark,” he added.
Anna snapped him a look. “I’m sure Selena does not need to be told every little detail.”
His smile disappeared. “Little?”
“Little she repeated firmly.
“There you are,” Desford said, coming down the path, his gaze on Selena. “Where have you been?”
“Talking to Lord Greyley and Miss Thraxton. She had a piece of bark in her eye and he was kissing it out.”
Anna made a distressed noise while Desford’s gaze narrowed thoughtfully. “No, no,” she said. “It was nothing like that.”
The boy’s mouth pursed, but to her surprise, he made no further comment. Instead, he took his sister’s hand and led her back down the path. “We found a waterfall,” he said as he went, disappearing behind the curve of the trees.
“Oh no,” Anna said fretfully.
Greyley’s warm hands encircled her waist again, but Anna moved away. “That’s enough of that.”
“You didn’t enjoy it?”
“On the contrary,” she said bluntly. “I enjoyed it far more than was suitable.”
His gaze flared and he took a step toward her, then stopped, his hands fisted at his sides, a smug expression on his face. “What are we going to do about this, Thraxton?”
“About what?” she asked, desperately bidding for time.
“This attraction we have for one another.”
“Nothing, of course,” she said, smoothing her hair and trying to appear sane and sensible. “We have responsibilities. And treading down this path would be very dangerous for both of us.”
“I like danger.”
Good Lord, so did she. But not here. And not now. She knew the ending of this story, and it was nothing but heart-break and the loss of her self-respect. “Not possible. We, Lord Greyley, are going to forget this ever happened.” Anna turned on her heel and walked down the trail where Desford and Selena had just disappeared. “I’m going to see to the children.”
He made as if to follow her, but she held up a hand. “Stay here and watch the horses.”
His face darkened. “Anna, I—”
She left, almost running in her determination to get away. Once she was out of sight, she stepped off the path and leaned against a tree, pressing trembling hands to her heated cheeks. Ahead she could hear the children laughing, the sound calming her somewhat.
Damn Greyley for kissing her and making her forget herself and her responsibilities. She might be a Thraxton, but she was also the governess, and if anything were to develop between her and Greyley, it would be heartache of the first order. And for what? A few moments of passing pleasure? He couldn’t possibly want more than that. And neither, Anna decided with a loud sniff, did she.
That decided, she gathered the children for the ride home.
Chapter 18
Marriage is a fine institution. Fine for women and an institution for men.
Sir Rotherwood to Edmund Valmont, while discussing the merits of remaining single
Anthony awoke to the sounds of rain. It thrummed on the overhang of his window and slapped the glass panes. He sighed and rolled onto his back, staring up at the red curtains that hung around his bed. The rain put an end to his hopes of another ride with Anna, even if he did have to take those blasted children along.
Actually, though, he hadn’t really minded the children. As they’d ridden back, they’d stopped along the way to enjoy the sight of a cow rubbing its back against a tree and then again later, to enjoy a lively discussion over which thicket hid a particularly large rabbit that had frightened Desford’s horse by running across the road in front of him.
To his surprise, Anthony had enjoyed himself immensely. He’d also discovered things he’d never known. For example, he’d never realized what a talent Marian had for riding, but she was amazingly adept, far too much to be riding such a slug. He would look for a new horse for her today.
Then there was Richard. Though the boy’d remained silent, once or twice Anthony thought he’d seen just the hint of a smile, which was indeed something new. Perhaps it would just take some time and the warmth of the sun to bring the child back to life.
Anthony had enjoyed the antics of Selena and Elizabeth, too, as they shamelessly vied for Miss Thraxton’s attention. He didn’t blame them for their efforts—the governess showed to advantage in her sapphire blue habit, that ridiculous hat pinned to her red tresses, the long white feather caressing her cheek every time she turned her head.
It was enough to drive a man to drink. Worse, she had been noticeably cool toward him after their kiss, keeping her attention focused on the children.
Anthony tossed the sheets aside, then stood, the cool morning air brushing over his naked body. The wind moaned against the outside of the house, rattling the windows. Anthony dressed and had just begun to knot his cravat when a brisk knock heralded the entrance of Jenkins, who carried a crisply folded note. Anthony recognized the elegant script immediately.
Greyley,
After careful thought, I realize that we cannot continue our rides. However, the children are more than eager for the exercise and thus await your pleasure once the weather has cleared.
Sincerely,
A. Thraxton
Anthony wadded up the note and sent it sailing toward the fireplace. Damn the woman. He returned to knotting his cravat, meeting his own gaze in the mirror. Anna Thraxton was not making his quest easy and it didn’t surprise him the least bit.
What was it about her, he wondered, absently noting the St. John talisman ring where it sat neglected among the fobs on his dresser. He pushed the ring aside and se
lected a ruby cravat pin. Perhaps it was the challenge of the chase—he hadn’t been so amused in some time.
Just being with her made him feel…He shrugged. It was the excitement of something new, something different from the ordinary. Something to be savored, for it would not last long.
Ignoring Ledbetter’s plea to wear a more significant pin on his cravat, Anthony left his room and made his way to the library. Mr. Dalmapple awaited him there, a list of pressing decisions carefully scripted on a neat sheet of vellum.
Anthony listened to his man of business with half an ear, his gaze fixed on the streams of rain that cut across the library windows. He rubbed his mouth thoughtfully, smiling a little to himself. All he had to do was find a way to get her alone again.
Going to the nursery was cut of the question. Somehow, some way, he had to get the lovely Miss Thraxton to come to him.
Excitement stirred in his stomach and quickened his blood. What would tempt a woman bent on remaining within the strict boundaries of propriety? What would lure her from the safety of the nursery?
Perhaps…perhaps a simple game of billiards. What could be more innocent? For an instant, he imagined the sight of Thraxton’s pale skin against the green felt of the table, her auburn hair splayed like a fan about her face. Hell, nothing was innocent with a woman like her around. Still…the word “billiards” would conjure no such indecent thoughts in a woman with such strenuous notions of propriety.
Grinning, Anthony reached for a sheet of vellum. He ignored Dalmapple’s running commentary on the state of the west fields and dipped his pen in ink.
Thraxton, he wrote with a nice flourish.
I hope this note finds you well and none the worse for yesterday’s—
Anthony paused. Yesterday’s what? Sensual kisses? Forbidden touches? He chuckled and then wrote:
—vigorous activities. As the rain appears to have ended our hopes for a ride, a game of billiards will have to do as a substitute. I will be in the billiards room at ten. I trust you will be there when I arrive.
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