“I still have a choice. Remember I gave you a chance? Prove that I should.”
He looked between us all in the room and I saw the arrogance leave his face as he dropped to one knee in front of me.
“You have entrapped me with your wit, kindness and have shown me such even as I showed you none. You have entangled me in feelings that I didn’t know still existed inside of me, I will do anything. Please, Alana,” he whispered, “Come back to me.”
I grinned and patted him on the head, “All you ever had to do was ask. Remember what you just said.”
I kissed Derek on the cheek and the same with my grandfather. “I shall see you soon. Good-bye to you Grandfather and good day to you, Cousin.”
When I saw the stunned look upon his face I patted his cheek. “Let us go a fetch your sister, I miss her already.”
The Final Deal
It was only a short ride back to find his sister and to stall Lord Grayson as long as may be. I had hatched a plan and I was ready to put it into motion. With a sly smile on my face I confessed all to his sister who grinned in return.
“A most brilliant plan if I do say so myself,” she agreed.
…
“I don’t agree to this!” he shouted aghast
I crossed my arms. “This is how it will be. I will only marry you if you let me ride Champ in the final race. Also you sign him over to me as soon as we are married. You have an eye for the races but not horses.”
“Bloody hell woman, have you any idea what people of the ton would say about such a thing. The few who knew it was you at the last race could be kept quiet. But just about every lord in the House will be at this race!”
“That is the deal. My grandfather, the Duke of Norfolk, said he would be more than happy to take me into his home should I find you not to my liking.” I smiled sweetly up at him.
He gritted his teeth and then suddenly out of nowhere he pulled me into his arms and kissed me full on the mouth. His lips were gone as soon as they were there and I found myself left alone in his study.
I grinned. I had won again, one day he would do as I asked without question, if only with a raised brow.
…
The race came and went with little accident. It wasn’t until after that I learned that Lord Grayson had found out who had been after me and my horse putting a stop to it, secretly. He refused to tell me anymore than that.
But as promised for letting me ride in the race, I would marry him. It looked as if we would need a little work on our relationships, but then again who didn’t!
It took less than a month to plan the wedding and for him to obtain the special license we needed. Samantha was bouncing off the walls and her brother was hiding away. Hoping to avoid being thrown into to wedding plans by any female, he hid in his study.
It was currently the only place he and I could steal away for a much needed break and a few stolen kisses.
“My God, woman,” he groaned as he let me slip from his arms down his body. “You will be the death of me.”
I giggled deliriously. “And you, my lord, are fun to be around. Why is it you are only a stiff around everyone you know but me?”
He gave me a crooked grin. “Because this is the me you created. You better be ready for it, in less than a week you shall be mine.”
She pulled him down to whisper in his ear. “You best be ready when I show you how to break a wild stallion.”
Before she could say anything he took her mouth once more.
Deeply.
Passionately.
This was a ride she was ready for.
The Danger of Dukes Page 8