To Tempt a Dashing Lord

by Lucy Langton

  Marcus was leading the black horse from the stables, having saddled the beast himself, when Catherine came walking across the lawn towards him. She clearly was not sure what Marcus was doing by the way her brows furrowed and her arms swung at her sides as she tried to quicken her pace.

  “What is the matter?” she asked as she came to his side. “Your note sounded urgent.”

  “All is well. I simply did not think you’d enjoy yourself sitting amongst the women all day,” Marcus said as he gestured to the horse. “Perhaps you would prefer riding with me instead?”

  “Horseback riding? But, Marcus. I have never ridden a horse in my life,” Catherine exclaimed.

  “We can ride double on the stallion. You won’t have to do anything but maintain your balance,” Marcus reassured her.

  “This does not sound rather proper,” she reasoned as she reached out her hand and began to stroke the horse’s mane. The horse in response nuzzled his nose against her chest until she was encouraged to use both hands to scratch his neck.

  “It will not matter when everyone remains inside, afraid the sunlight will scorch them or a little bit of exercise will do them harm,” Marcus teased.

  “Very well. How do I go about riding a horse with you?” Catherine asked as she stepped back from the horse and placed her hands on her hips, looking at the saddle as though it would speak and explain what to do next.

  “Here, I’ll help you up. Just place your right foot in the stirrups here and push up while swinging your other leg onto the other side while you grab the saddle horn,” Marcus explained as he pointed to the different parts of the saddle.

  “If anyone does spot us, they will surely see my ankles,” Catherine said as she shook her head.

  “Then let us hurry before anyone has the chance,” Marcus encouraged as he gestured for Catherine to come near. As she placed her foot in stirrup, Marcus guided her hands to where they needed to grip on the saddle. As she pulled herself up, Marcus pleasingly used his hands on her bottom to push her up until she was seated properly on the saddle.

  “I feel you enjoyed that very much,” Catherine said with a chuckle.

  “I will not deny that I did,” Marcus replied. He then handed the reins to Catherine before getting up onto the saddle behind Catherine, instantly loving the feeling of her body pressed up against his as they were forced to ride close together on the horse.

  Taking the reins from Catherine, he urged the horse away from the stables and down the worn path through his family’s lands. He knew exactly where he wanted to take Catherine and hoped that she would find it as pleasant as he did.

  As expected, Catherine’s gown rode up her legs, exposing them. But without anyone around to see them, Marcus felt comfortable that he wouldn’t have to cover his wife. Instead, he enjoyed the view from time to time as he was able to see both her shapely legs and her large bosom. Marcus urged the stallion into a faster trot before guiding him into a full gallop, the wind whipping by their faces. When he heard Catherine laughing with glee, his heart filled with more joy than before.

  It was only when they approached the fishing pond that he pulled on the reins to slow the stallion. At the slow trot, Catherine reached up her hands to fix her hair. Then she folded her hands on his as they rested on the saddle horn.

  “That was the most amazing experience of my life,” Catherine declared as she turned in the saddle to look at him.

  “Even better than our passionate lovemaking?” he teased.

  “That’s different; something that can’t be put into words,” she said as she blushed. “But soaring across the land on this horse, with you holding me close, I’ve never felt more free or safe in my life.”

  “That is why I love to go horseback riding, myself. It’s free and liberating. As though the world no longer exists besides the land in front of you,” Marcus agreed. As he pulled the horse to a stop, he slid down from the saddle and helped Catherine to do the same. Then, after tethering the horse to a tree branch, he led Catherine down to the water’s edge.

  The sun reflected off the water, sending rays of sunlight all around them. Marcus spotted fish along the surface, nipping at the horseflies that buzzed across the pond. He held Catherine’s hand firmly in his as he looked out over one of his most favourite places in the world and the fond memories of his childhood.

  “There is a reason I brought you here today,” Marcus said as he turned to Catherine. “When I was young, I often came here with my brother to fish. It holds many great memories, and I wanted this to be the place that I finally told you something important.”

  “Oh? And what would that be?” Catherine asked, a smile on her lips as her bright blue eyes looked up at him.

  “Catherine, I am not sure when exactly it happened, but I know for sure now that marrying you was the best decision of my life. And not just for Beth’s sake, but for mine as well. Catherine, I am certain, without a shadow of a doubt now, that I have completely and utterly fallen in love with you.”

  Catherine’s eyes grew wide as she looked up at him. Her smile eventually brightened, and then she was pressing herself onto tiptoes to kiss him soundly while she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Marcus was thrilled with her response as he wrapped his arms around her waist and returned her passionate kiss. He only wished he’d thought to have brought a blanket so he could lay it down and make sweet love to the woman he had fallen in love with.

  “I love you, too,” Catherine declared as she broke their kiss. “It was hard to put a name to because I have never loved someone before and wasn’t sure what this strong emotion for you was. But I know now that it is love.”

  “It pleases me no end to hear you say such words in return,” Marcus said as he raised his hand and cupped the side of her face. Catherine leaned into his touch as she closed her eyes from a moment. “I wish this moment would never end.”

  “As do I,” Catherine said in a soft voice as she opened her eyes again. He saw tears in her eyes then and wondered what had caused them.

  “Are you alright?” he asked, concerned.

  “Yes. I am simply so happy that I feel as though I may burst with happiness,” she said, a tear slipping down from her eye. “I never thought I’d fall in love and have the kind of life I always dreamed about. It is you, Marcus, who has made all my dreams come true.”

  “I would do anything for you, Catherine. You’ve driven me mad with love and now I shall spend the rest of my days with you by my side.”

  “I shall never dream of going anywhere but with you. I look forward to raising Beth with you and having an even bigger family one day,” Catherine said, causing his heart to burst with love for this magnificent woman.

  They shared many tender kisses then. These kisses were special because they weren’t filled with desire and need. Instead, they were gentle and enduring, expressing their love for one another. They kissed without hunger, but with a feeling that they wanted each other to know just how much they cared for the other and truly wanted the other to feel utter happiness in this moment.

  After a time, they finally untangled their tongues and lips, Marcus leading Catherine back over to the stallion. He knew that eventually they would need to return to their guests for the brunch that was scheduled for that afternoon before the ball. Marcus wished that they could simply return home and not have to worry about entertaining anyone but Beth. He was looking forward to dancing with Catherine that evening, but that was all.

  “Marcus, I am so utterly happy,” Catherine said as she leaned against his chest in the saddle as Marcus guided the horse into a trot.

  He leaned down and kissed the top of her head before saying, “I am so glad you are happy, just like I am happy. I hope each day we are together will be filled with this sort of happiness.”

  “As long as we never forget this moment, I am certain that we shall always be happy,” Catherine declared. He took his promise to heart, determined to always make his darling wife happy.

  Chapter 17

/>   Nothing in the world seemed to bother Catherine as she readied for the ball. All her fears concerning her brother and Lord Whetstone seemed to escape her mind as she focused solely on the love she had felt from Marcus and the love she felt for him. To think she had fallen in love with her husband, a man she didn’t know well before marrying him, pleased Catherine no end.

  She knew she was certainly lucky to have experienced love in her life. And to think that she was married to the man she loved only helped her realise just how lucky she was in life. When so many people often married for security, opportunity, and gain, she was lucky to have fallen in love with the man she had unexpectedly married.

  As her lady’s maid helped her into her ball gown, a pale pink gown made of silk and lace, Catherine imaged what it would feel like to dance with Marcus. There was so much about a traditional Season that they had missed. And though she hadn’t danced in some time, she was looking forward to experiencing her first dance with the man she loved. She felt rather young again, like a giddy young lady who was getting ready for her first ball.

  “You are utterly radiant,” her lady’s maid said as she finished pinning her curly hair.

  “I couldn’t have done all of this without you,” Catherine replied.

  “It is my pleasure, My Lady,” she replied as she lowered her eyes and curtsied. After applying some rose water to the underpart of her neck, Catherine felt ready to head downstairs to join the others for the evening.

  The only thing she dreaded was the fact that she wouldn’t be wearing the brooch that Marcus had given her. She only hoped that he wouldn’t notice so that it wouldn’t be brought up in conversation. And if her brother could receive the money he needed from helping Lord Whetstone, regardless of what that help entailed, perhaps at least she could get her brooch back without ever having to tell Marcus the truth.

  Once ready, Catherine made her way downstairs after dismissing her lady’s maid. The rest of the guests had arrived for the ball, filling the manor with all sorts of conversation. The air buzzed with words that could be heard from the ballroom below. Catherine couldn’t wait to join Marcus for the evening and spend the night dancing with him alone.

  Excitement filled Catherine as she walked down the hallway through the west wing and towards the large staircase. Her hand went to the railing as she slightly picked up the hem of her gown so she could easily step down each stair. The footmen were ever present, ready to assist or carry out orders. With so many families in attendance, everyone was needed to ensure that the evening would be perfect.

  Catherine took a deep breath as she neared the open doors of the ballroom. Candlelight reflected off the polished floors and the many mirrors that had been hung on the papered walls of the ballroom caused that light to spread across the whole room. Several chandeliers hung from the ceiling, the crystals shining from above like stars in the sky.

  Everything had been designed elegantly, from the bouquets of flowers positioned around the manor to fill the air with a fragrant aroma, to the open windows and doors that let in a steady breeze of refreshing summer air. As Catherine stepped into the ballroom, she tried to take in the splendour all at once.

  Everyone in attendance was dressed in their finest attire. Where most ladies wore gowns of crèmes and whites, Catherine felt elegant in her own coloured gown. And with the ball having been dedicated in her honour, she felt she had the right to stand out amongst the crowd.

  As Catherine made her way through the room, she eventually spotted Marcus standing close to Lady Evergreen as the woman sat on the settee along the wall with the other older women. They were all pleased to sit and watch the others, the dancing reserved for the eligible ladies and gentlemen, and those young enough to still enjoy dancing. As soon as she saw Marcus, she quickly made her way towards him, but was rudely halted when someone reached out and grabbed her elbow.

  Catherine spun quickly to see who would dare reach out and touch her so, and her face only softened slightly when she saw that it was Denver who had done so. He looked very handsome in his dinner jacket and black trousers, his hair combed to the side. But as she looked into his face, she saw how tired he looked.

  “I just wanted to say that you look rather lovely this evening,” Denver said as he dropped his hand from her elbow. “You never had a proper debut, and I think you deserve all of this. I can only say that Lord Kingston is a good man.” Denver lowered his eyes when he was done speaking, as though to examine the shine on his boots.

  “I hope that he is a good example to you, Denver. You could one day be as great if you only tried more,” Catherine said, her anger always seeming to get the better of her when she was with her brother. She knew that she should finally soften her heart towards her brother, but until he actually proved to her that he was making a change for the better, then she was certain to always feel like this towards him.

  “That is why I am giving you this back,” Denver said as he reached into the pocket of his dinner jacket and revealed the brooch he had given her. He then came close and pinned it to her gown. She couldn’t believe it as she reached up her hand and felt the encrusted pearls once more. “I have never done much for you, Catherine. But I will at least do this one thing for you tonight.”

  “Thank you, Denver. You have no idea how much this means to me,” Catherine said as she looked up into his eyes. He simply nodded in return before he turned away from Catherine and disappeared amongst all the guests. She watched him go for a moment before making her way to Marcus’ side.

  “Good evening, my dear,” Marcus said as Catherine came towards him.

  “Good evening,” she replied. “And a good evening to you, Auntie.”

  “My word, such a gorgeous complexation. You’re almost more beautiful than on your wedding day,” Lady Evergreen remarked.

  “She certainly is,” Marcus was quick to add. Catherine smiled at them both, appreciating their praises. “And the brooch looks lovely on you.”

  “My word, is that your mother’s brooch?” Lady Evergreen asked.

  “It is,” Marcus confirmed. “I wanted Catherine to have something special for her special night.”

  “Marcus, I had no idea it was your mother’s,” Catherine said, feeling even more touched by the gift, and the fact that Denver had given it back to her. She was even more thankful for her brother than she had been before to discover the truth of it.

  “I didn’t want you to feel overwhelmed by it,” Marcus said sheepishly.

  “I only think it is more wonderful than it was before,” Catherine said.

  The sound of the musicians beginning their first song filled the ballroom, causing the crowd to make room for the dancing to begin. Marcus dipped his head to Catherine and extended his hand towards her, which she happily accepted with a bright smile. This was the moment she had been waiting for all day and she couldn’t wait to experience her first dance with Marcus.

  With her hand in his, Marcus led them to the middle of the ball room to join in with the dance. The music was elegant as it filled the whole room, and when the dancing began, Catherine lost herself in it all. She was quick to discover that thankfully Marcus was a good dancer.

  As they went through the motions together, their hands touching and their hips grazing one another as they turned and twisted with the steps of the dance, Catherine found the dance to be as pleasurable as their lovemaking. It was a new type of pleasure that Catherine would want to experience again and again.

  “You are a vision,” Marcus said to her in passing, causing her to smile brightly at his remark.

  “I suppose you expect me to say how handsome you are in return,” Catherine teased as they came back together through the dance, their hands coming together for the next few steps.