“We started out together. Then I saw the village and wanted to take a closer look. He figured Id want to do some shopping, and he wasnt interested. So he headed back.
“Then who accompanied you to the village?
Shrugging, she shook her head. “No one.
“Are you telling me that you rode here without the benefit of chaperone or escort?
“I suppose I am. She gave him a pointed glare. “Ill see you later.
“Where are you going?
“Back to the manor.
“You cant ride back alone.
“Why not?
“Because its simply not done. A lady does not ride about the countryside alone.
She blanched at that, but jutted out her chin in defiance. “I do it all the time back home.
“Well, you shant do it on my watch. Ill escort you home.
“I dont need an escort, she insisted.
“Ill not have your father berate me for not seeing to your welfare. Unfortunately, the silversmith has not yet finished the task which Ive set to him. I was going to have a spot of tea at the inn just up the road. Perhaps youd care to join me.
Ah, he could see those little wheels of indecision turning.
“Mrs. Forest is known for her deliciously wicked chocolate desserts, he offered in an attempt to entice her.
“No.
He sighed deeply. “Very well. Ill escort you home and then return to finish my business.
“Thats not necessary.
“I fear it is, Lydia. What sort of gentleman would I be if I did not look after your welfare?
She leaned toward him, her eyes narrowed. “I know exactly what sort of gentleman you are, my lord .
The derision in her voice took him off guard. Was she still seething over the abuse of the horse, or did she have cause to be upset with him ? If so, what in Gods name had he done?
“What sort of gentleman is that? he asked.
“Hypocritical. Cruel. Unmerciful.
Devil take it! She could easily be describing Quentin. Rhys had been the scapegoat for far too many of his brothers actions. By God, not with her. Not with her.
Hed wrapped his hand around her upper arm before hed realized what he was about. Her eyes widened, her nostrils flared, and those damned lips parted. His body reacted as though shed suddenly fallen onto a bed of silk.
He wanted to crush her to him, not in anger, but in passion. If he were a wise man, he would allow her to return home alone, or hed find someone else to escort her.
Apparently wisdom did not run in his family.
“I believe a lesson is in order.
“I dont want you teaching me anything. Unhand me, she said in a low voice.
He did so, but only because his fingers were in danger of brushing against the side of her breast. And what would happen to his control then?
“Please, join me at the inn, he said in as level a voice as he could muster, hoping to give away none of the confusion swirling through him. Was this not the lady who had asked him to teach her? The lady who sat with him in his fathers bedchamber until the wee hours of the morning?
She gave a brief nod. “Very well. Dont touch me. Dont talk to me.
He arched a brow. “May we at least sit at the same table?
“I suppose.
“Very good.
Although in truth, he thought his words bespoke of an overly optimistic view for their time together.
Lydia couldnt believe shed allowed Rhys to browbeat her into joining him for tea. Although browbeat was a bit harsh. Hed seemed as gentlemanly as her stepfather while hed spoken to her.
It was the shiver that had cascaded through her body when hed grabbed her arm that had caused her to lash out at him. She didnt want to find herself drawn to this man who could so abuse animals.
Abusing animals was only a step away from abusing people. What did she know about him, really?
Hed been raised alongside her stepfather. Yet he hadnt. Theyd never allowed her stepfather to forget who he was or more importantly, what he was.
Now she was having afternoon tea with a man who jumbled up her emotions. Why did he have to be so devastatingly handsome, sitting at a table near the back of the inn, where the sunlight eased through a window and washed over him?
He was upholding the conditions shed placed on joining him. He wasnt touching her or talking to her. He was, however, managing to communicate with her. And she wasnt altogether certain how she felt about that.
Warm, tingly, flustered, short of breath.
His intense gray gaze had not left her since theyd sat. It stayed on her while he sipped his tea and ignored the cream-filled pastry slathered in chocolate that the serving girl had placed before him. Lydia had gobbled down hers as though she were at a watermelon-eating contest back home.
“What? she finally snapped.
A glimmer of a smile touched his eyes. “I was wondering if you might like to feast upon my pastry as well.
She shifted in her chair, her eyes darting to the thick chocolate on his plate. She didnt know why the chocolate here tasted so much better, creamier, and richer. It was impossible to resist.
“Its unladylike to eat two.
“Its unladylike to wolf it down without catching a breath between bites.
The heat of embarrassment scalded her skin, boiled her simmering temper. She tossed her napkin on the table. “Im going home.
Lunging partway across the table, he grabbed her wrist. She froze, glaring at him.
“Please, dont go, he pleaded quietly. “That was uncalled for and rude. Boorish. Impolite. I was being an ill-mannered lout. A corner of his mouth quirked up. “You may, of course, feel free to stop my self-flagellation at any time.
“Why would I when I think you deserve it?
“For teasing you about your enthusiastic response to the chocolate? He shook his head slightly. “I dont think so. There is more at stake here, and I cant figure out what. Most women would have been grateful to have been rescued from a brute such as Bower. You seem to resent my intrusion.
“Not your intrusion. You.
Slowly unfurling his fingers from her wrist, he straightened. “I see.
The wounded look in his eyes almost brought tears to hers. Was that his ploy? To seem cruel, and then appear hurt? Yet so often hed been kind.
“I saw your horses, she blurted.
Deep furrows creased his brow. “My horses? Of course you saw them. I assume you rode one into the village.
“The ones in the paddock behind the stables.
“Ah, those horses.
“Mr. Sims told me that you dont allow anyone else to ride them. Theyve been horribly abused.
“Indeed they have been, but not by my hand.
“Then whose?
“Quentins.
Lydia felt the force of that one word like a physical blow. The tightening of the muscles in Rhyss jaw, the hardening of his eyes, the firm set of his mouth told her that more than resenting his brother, he resented that shed assumed the worst of Rhys.
The anger shed been holding against him flowed out like the water of a lake through a busted dam. Relief rushed in.
“Im sorry. Mr. Sims
“Is not one to speak ill of the dead. No one, by God, is willing to speak ill of the dead. Almost makes me anticipate my death.
Reaching across the table, she wrapped her hand around his clenched fist where it rested beside his teacup. “I should have realized it wasnt you whod taken a whip to those horses.
“And why, pray tell, should you have realized that?
A thousand answers rushed through her mind. Instinct? Attraction? No, it went beyond that. It was an indefinable something that resided in her very core so that when she looked at him or gazed into his eyes, she felt as though shed discovered the better part of herself in him.
“I cant explain it, she finally confessed. “I just should have known.
She withdrew her hand and eased back onto the chair. “Why didnt you
stop Quentin as you did Mr. Bower?
“Two reasons. The first is that it is most difficult to alter the behavior and actions of any man when he outranks you, because he is held in higher esteem by the nature of his birth.
“And the second, she prodded, when it seemed he would not continue.
“I had not been to Harrington in years. I was unaware Quentin had begun to reveal his cruelties so flagrantly. Yet even so, some are still blind to his faults.
Her heart wrenched. “Your mother.
“Quite so.
“Im sorry. I shouldnt have suspected the worse. I should have asked you
“Let it go, Lydia.
Her name rolled off his tongue, reminding her of something thick and warm to hold the chill at bay on a wintry night. Why did he have this effect on her? Why did he make her want to rise to her feet and settle onto his lap? Wrap her arms around his neck and bring her mouth to his?
He did have the most luscious mouth shed ever seen. He pressed his thumb against his parted full lips. She watched, mesmerized, while his tongue stroked the underside of his thumb. Once. Twice. Three times. And she imagined placing her own thumb there, allowing him to dampen her skin.
His eyes glittered with mischievousness, as though he knew the trail down which her wayward thoughts were headed. Then he leaned toward her, and his thumb caressed the corner of her mouth, making her lips yearn for more, her pulse to race.
“The next time you take me to task, he said in a low, sensuous voice, “I suggest you do so without having a bit of chocolate teasing me at the corner of your mouth.
She jerked back as though hed slapped her. Humiliation swamped her. She snatched up her napkin and wiped her mouth.
“Too late. Ive already taken care of it.
She watched in amazement, while he returned his thumb briefly to his mouth, and she wondered if he tasted her as much as he tasted the chocolate.
“You should have said something. Her chastisement lost its impact when spoken with a squeaky voice.
“You are quite right. But I was too distracted wondering how the flavor of your skin would enhance the enjoyment of the chocolate.
And based on the taste hed just received, Rhys knew that it enhanced it a great deal.
Confound it! What was he doing speaking to her in this manner? Why, when he was around her, did he seem incapable of controlling his thoughts, his tongue, or his body?
She was staring at him with wide, curious eyes as though hed yanked her from her home and dumped her into a foreign land. Quite likely, she often did feel that way. Traipsing about the countryside on her own? Getting into a brawl with a man twice her size? What was he to do with her?
Certainly not what he wanted to do, what he craved doing. He had to put them both on an even keel. He swapped his pastry laden plate with her empty one.
“Finish off my pastry, he ordered.
“After youve insulted me twice
“No insult, he rushed to assure her. “Mere teasing on both counts. And unavoidable temptation.
She lifted her fork and peered at him through half lowered lashes. “Dont you like chocolate?
“I prefer to taste where its been.
He could not have spoken truer words, and he considered that biting off his tongue might be appropriate. He could see her running his words through her mind as though she were trying to determine how he could enjoy where chocolate had been. Unfortunately, hed never be able to demonstrate for her exactly how he preferred to have his dessert.
“Do you want me to scrape off the chocolate so you can have the pastry back?
He laughed. She was such an innocent delight.
He shook his head. “No, you finish it off. I rather enjoy watching the pleasure you take in eating sweets.
“I do have a weakness for chocolate, she admitted as she scooped up her first bite.
Unfortunately, he was beginning to fear he had a weakness for her . He relished every moment spent with her and wanted one more. One more conversation, one more smile, one more touchhellip;one more kiss.
He wanted what he knew he did not deserve.
Chapter 11
L ydia stepped out of the inn and glanced down the main street that ran through the center of the village. Bowers wagon was gone, but she could see where hed left a good portion of his furniture. Simply because Rhys had insisted.
Her family, her stepfather was influential in Fortune. She knew beyond any doubt he could have stopped Bower from making his horse carry such a heavy load. But he wouldnt have been able to accomplish the same results as effortlessly as Rhys had. Had her stepfather punched the man, the man would have no doubt fought back.
As much as she understood about the intricacies of the aristocracy, she was amazed to witness the power Rhys wielded simply because of his birth. His title. Hed only held his position for a few months. Yet people kowtowed to him, as though hed worn the cloak of a marquess his entire life.
She was quite simply amazed.
She darted a glance at him. Tugging on his gloves, he gazed around the village and nodded in acknowledgment to those who caught his eye. Life here was incredibly different. Certainly in Fortune, everyone acknowledged one another, but she sensed equality there. Her family was well-off, no two ways about it. But people didnt bow to them as they practically did to Rhys.
“The silversmith should be finished with his task by now, Rhys said. “Where shall we meet?
“I could go with you, she offered.
He seemed to hesitate, and she wondered briefly if he was embarrassed to be seen with her in public. Hidden away in the corner of an inn was one thing, but to walk brazenly through town might be considered quite another.
He angled his head slightly and held out his arm. “If you wish.
“Do you wish?
His gray eyes warmed as he gave her the barest hint of a smile. “Indeed I do.
Smiling brightly, she placed her hand on his arm. “Lead the way, my lord.
She was acutely aware he kept his steps short, slow, leisurely. He did not have the loose-jointed walk of a cowboy, yet he had a powerful grace to his stride that mesmerized her.
“Was there something in particular you were looking for when you came to the village? he asked.
She shook her head. “It just appeared quaint from a distance, so I wanted to have a closer look.
“Your brother didnt share your interest?
She laughed lightly. “He lacks the maturity to appreciate what an incredible opportunity we have to experience something so unlike what we have at home.
“Do you not have villages? he inquired.
“Not like this. We dont have thatched roofs and flower boxes at the windows. We have square buildings with false storefronts. Hot, dusty streets. Fortune has grown and flourished, but its more like a child still struggling to understand itself. This village seems comfortable with its place in the world.
“Youre quite the philosopher.
“Are you mocking me, sir?
His eyes warmed. “No, Lydia. I am intrigued by you.
He stepped toward an entry. “Here we are.
Before he could open the door, it was opened for him. A wizened gentleman wearing spectacles, with thick lenses that made his eyes appear huge, ushered them inside. “My lord, I have the watch all ready for you.
“Very good, Mr. Crump.
Lydia couldnt help but be curious about the watch, especially since hed given one to Colton. While Mr. Crump scurried across the store and eased behind a glass counter, Lydia followed Rhys until he was standing before the silversmith.
Mr. Crump brought out a silver watch, resting on blue velvet. On its circular cover had been carved the same image that was on Coltons watch.
She watched as Rhys slowly trailed his gloved finger over the etching. “Very nice, Mr. Crump. Please wrap it carefully, and Ill take it with me.
“Very good, my lord.
“Youre replacing the watch you gave Colton, she speculated softly.
<
br /> “Not exactly. I simply discovered I was in need of one similar to the first.
“Because you dont want your mother to know what you did.
He looked uncomfortable, avoided her eyes. “Its a rather long story, but has nothing to do with my mother.
She considered prying further, but as it was, he made her feel as though she was intruding where she had no business. Turning away, she browsed through the little shop, while Rhys finished dealing with Mr. Crump. Perhaps she should have waited outside.
Being around Rhys was too confusing. At times, she thought he had an interest in her. Mostly, however, she felt as though she was nothing more than a pain in his backside.
Riding alongside Rhys, Lydia fought to keep her attention focused on the scenery, but her gaze constantly betrayed her and wandered back to Rhys. Unlike Colton, who had complained about the odd English saddle, Rhys seemed completely at home in it. Powerfully elegant.
How he could be both powerful and elegant seemed contradictory, and yet he was. He was exactly what shed told her brother Johnny she was searching for in a man. His presence had dominated the village. Something about his persona implied hed never cower before anyone.
How difficult it must have been for him to grow up in the shadow of a brother who did not deserve to cast one.
“I dont understand how your mother could prefer Quentin over you. Ive only been here a short time and already Im well aware he was not a nice man.
“He was quite good at manipulating people, skilled at hiding his true self.
“How could he hide what he did to those horses?
He shifted his attention to her, and she felt the full weight of his gaze. “I imagine he found some way to justify his treatment of the animals. He no doubt told anyone who would listen that they were disobedient.
She shuddered. “Thank goodness he had no children. She tried to recall what else she knew of Quentin. “Was he married?
“For a time. He pointed across the land. “If youve no objection to a bit of rougher riding, the scenery is much more pleasant if we cut across the estate.
“Im used to rough riding, she assured him, delighted by the thought of a challenge.
Something primal flashed in his eyes, and she had the feeling hed read something more into her statement, something not entirely innocent.
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