Taming the Duke (23 page)

Her arms twined around him, lost in the glory of the moment. If only they could remain like this, hearts beating as one, lost in their own sweet heaven.

Chapter Fourteen

D
alton watched her, snuggled against his shoulder, sleeping so trustingly in his arms. For the longest time he had lain there, fighting the effect her warm breasts, nestling intimately against his bare chest, had on his body. In fact, everything she did affected him. He knew she had a passionate nature, but he had no way of knowing that her shy attempts to bring him pleasure could unleash such profound ecstasy.

But her effect on him was more than just lust. Never before had he felt such vitality at being alive. Despite his ingrained cynicism, he was left in awe at the change in him. Feelings long buried and unfamiliar were springing to life. Longing caught in his chest. With her at his side, the world was a special place.

The scent of roses from the bouquet on the mantel curled around them, pulling his thoughts back to the present. Dawn was slanting its pale light across the sky. Although he didn’t want to leave her warmth, he knew the servants were up. Expecting
the cottage to be empty, a maid might wander inside to refill the vases with fresh flowers and startle Alicia awake. Instead, he would leave word at the manor that no one should disturb the cottage until her ladyship awakens. He eyed the empty wash basin and pitcher and an idea formed in his mind. How surprised she would be to find warm water for her morning ablutions. If he hurried, he would have time to fill the pitcher himself before she awoke.

Dalton lifted the silken drift of her hair across his chest and carefully rolled away from her. She murmured slightly, yet the tiny sound tightened every muscle in his body. He drew a shaky breath and eased the sheet higher, covering her shoulders. She shifted to her side, facing him, her rosy mouth pursed, as if awaiting his kisses.

He couldn’t remain another moment and not taste those sweet lips. He groaned and forced himself to his feet. When he had quietly finished dressing, he grabbed the empty pitcher and slipped quietly from the cottage.

When Alicia opened her eyes, sunlight streamed through the open window, filling the room with a cheery glow. Far off, a robin trilled sweetly to its mate. Happy and sated, she smiled, stretching like a contented cat. She glanced at the empty place beside her and tenderly touched the slight impression in Dalton’s pillow. He must have arisen early. Perhaps he was in the stables preparing the horses for an early ride before breakfast.

She threw back the sheet and got out of bed. The
porcelain pitcher, filled with warm water, stood on the nightstand. Dalton must have summoned the maids already this morning, she thought with surprise. No one knew they would be spending the night in the cottage.

She felt a blush warm her cheeks as she wondered what Hortense and Marie must have thought. She poured water from the pitcher into the wash basin, then began to bathe.

She didn’t expect to see a great deal of her husband once they finally settled down to everyday manor life. He had several vast estates to oversee, and she would be engrossed with managing the households. However, that could wait. For the next few days, she wanted to remain with him—by his side. She wanted to know all she could about this fascinating man who was hers.

After she had bathed, she chose a blue riding habit from the clothespress and dressed quickly, hoping to join him. Although they had made love for most of the night, she found that she still ached for him. More shocking was that she wondered when they would make love again. Heavens, but she was becoming insatiable!

When she finished dressing, she studied the image of herself in the mirror. Did this wondrous glow show in her face? She laughed aloud at the scatterwit notion. She was feeling too happy to care. All her life she had been so wise, so practical about matters of the heart. Today was the first day of her married life, and she was feeling glorious.
But she was still practical enough to know this feeling wouldn’t last, and wise enough to enjoy it.

Before Alicia arrived at the stables, she saw a groom lead Bashshar to the paddock where Dalton waited. When he saw her, he motioned for her to come toward him.

“Good morning, sleepyhead.” Dressed in a pearl-grey riding habit, he looked positively dashing. Alicia caught her breath just at the sight of him. He smiled. “I’ve already asked that Jupiter be saddled for you. Such a beautiful morning, I thought you might enjoy riding with me.”

Not trusting her voice, she nodded and smiled with delight, then hurried toward Jupiter, who impatiently pawed the ground. After the groom helped her onto the sidesaddle, she brought Jupiter alongside Dalton and Bashshar. The two stallions eyed each other uneasily. Although it wasn’t often stallions were allowed close proximity, Alicia felt Jupiter’s presence might help instill pride and confidence in Bashshar.

Dalton and Alicia rode along the neatly clipped path for a long time before she spoke. “Jupiter is full of energy and wants to lead. What do you say to a race?”

Dalton glanced across the meadow and patted Bashshar on the flank. “Good idea. We’ll cross the field and head toward the waterfall.”

She laughed. “Splendid.” She waited until Dalton brought Bashshar up alongside Jupiter. “Are you ready?”

A wide smile was Dalton’s answer. Alicia gave Jupiter his head as the horse took an early lead across the rolling fields of yellow wildflowers. Wind whipped her hair, and she felt exhilarated.

Dalton rode the black stallion easily beside her, and she was thrilled to see Bashshar accept the challenge so readily. The weeks of intense training and practice showed. Bashshar’s long, easy strides proved his champion bloodline. But Jupiter came from superior stock, as well, and the young stallion showed equal promise.

Alicia set her jaw and leaned over Jupiter’s neck, balancing low over the saddle. Gently, she coaxed the stallion to break away with a sudden burst of speed. Beneath her, she could feel the stallion’s powerful muscles flex, his breathing deepen.

Almost as if Dalton sensed her strategy, he urged Bashshar faster, both horses now neck and neck.

Alicia knew she shouldn’t take her eyes from her mount, but she couldn’t help stealing a glance at Dalton beside her. His shadowed jaw, clenched in determination, matched the challenge in his eyes. In that instant, Dalton edged Bashshar ahead of Jupiter. Alicia’s stallion fought to keep up, but Bashshar’s last minute burst of power carried him past Jupiter as the horses rounded the grove of larch trees bordering the waterfall beyond.

Alicia laughed as she eased Jupiter into a trot. “I’ve never been more happy to lose,” she said when she came up beside him. Happiness welled inside her as she watched Dalton with the horse. This was the first serious ride that Dalton had undergone
since Bashshar’s accident, and she knew that he was delighted with the stallion’s improvement.

“Thanks to your help, I believe that Bashshar might possibly race again,” Dalton said, rubbing the stallion’s neck.

Her heart swelled with pride. “Of course he will. Perhaps you should enter him at Newmarket.”

“I don’t know. That’s less than six weeks from now.”

“He may not win, but the training and experience will do him good.” She felt exhilarated by the idea. “If we both work with him, he’ll be ready in time.”

Dalton’s dark brows knotted in thought as he dismounted. “What of Jupiter? I thought you hoped to enter him at Newmarket?”

“We can enter both horses.”

Dalton’s smile was dazzling. “That’s a champion idea!” He helped her dismount. “If I’m not mistaken, Ives should have our breakfast set up by now.” Dalton glanced at the grassy knoll overlooking the waterfall. “I thought you’d enjoy an outdoor breakfast.”

He was looking steadily down at her, her face shaded by the brim of her peacock-blue hat. Wisps of coppery strands blew around her smiling face. He felt a sudden twist in his chest as he realized, again, this beautiful woman was his. What would she say if she knew that he wanted to make love to her, here in the meadow beside the waterfall? They could bask in the sunshine, naked, and they could make incredible love all day.

He watched as she tethered Jupiter to a tree, the powerful stallion following behind her like a tame pussycat. Dalton was amazed again at the profound joy of a simple morning ride with this exceptional woman. Never had he smelled sun-kissed air in his lungs, seen the vibrant tapestry of fields and woods, or felt such joy in his heart.

Alicia
. He watched her face light with childish delight when she found the white-linen-covered table and chairs that Ives and the servants had left for them. Yes, it was Alicia who ignited his senses. She called to him and laughed; her laughter hung in the air like warm honey.

He smiled, hurrying to her as she dove into the picnic basket, bringing out a bottle of wine, glasses and covered dishes. “Hurry, or I’ll eat everything and not leave you a crumb.”

Whatever this wondrous feeling was that possessed him, it left him feeling wobbly and unsettled. But he wouldn’t have traded these last twenty-four hours for anything in the world. Alicia was the most incredible woman—innocent nymph and knowing temptress all in one. She was enough to dazzle any man’s senses. And she was his bride.

She called to him again, and this time he joined her across the table. “Squab, sausages, partridge and boiled eggs. Ives has arranged a feast.” She uncovered a large bowl of bread crumbs. “And what is this?” she asked.

“Bread for the swans. After we eat, I’ll show you the other side of the river. Below the bridge, swans, ducks and all manner of game birds come to feed.
The gamekeeper has strict orders to protect their breeding grounds from hunters.”

“Your orders, I presume?”

He smiled. “I strongly believe in protecting the birds and other game for future generations.”
For our children and grandchildren
, he thought with a start. He looked across the silver river wending through the meadow, its surface smooth except where it bubbled over rocks along the shore. He could almost imagine their children’s laughter carried on the wind. Children. Yes, it was entirely possible. Although he always knew he would need an heir, he’d never before visualized his son, with his mother’s warm dark eyes, or a daughter with a musical laugh. He gloried briefly in the awakened sense of wonder.

“My grandfather believed in protecting the hunting fields at Marston Heath,” she said wistfully. He watched as she removed her bonnet, the wind lifting her chestnut curls around her shoulders. She dished up a small helping of squab and handed it to him.

“Will your father allow you to oversee the improvements you plan to make at Marston Heath?”

“He will have little say.” She smiled as she prepared a plate for herself. “But my mother is most pleased.”

“Your mother is a fine woman.”

“Yes,” she said simply, but love and admiration for her mother reflected from her expressive eyes. She was silent a moment, then her voice grew serious. “I was so pleased that your mother attended
our wedding. Did you have a chance to talk with her before the ceremony?”

Dalton knew her simple question held her relentless hope to see peace restored between his mother and himself. He would grant Alicia anything, but when it came to the dowager…

He shook his head. “We exchanged only a brief tête-à-tête. But I’m glad her presence pleased you.”

She offered him a cluster of grapes. “Perhaps I shall invite her for a visit. I’d like to arrange a birthday celebration for you. Do you think she will accept?”

My God, she was serious! He took a swallow of wine. He didn’t want to abate his wife’s hope, but the dowager believed the more distance between family, the better. Yet he found himself fascinated by his wife’s insatiable concern for people. “My mother has caused you nothing but grief. Why do you still care about her feelings, my dear?”

“Your mother reminds me of someone who has been very hurt. Sometimes it’s those who act unlovable who need love the most.”

How fresh and unspoiled Alicia was. She could never understand a woman as complicated as the dowager. “My mother prides herself on not showing emotion. She considers stoicism a virtue.”

“That’s false pride speaking. She believes everything she’s done in the past was for your and the family’s best interest. She cares very much for you, Dalton, but she’s unable to show love.”

He hid a smile as he wondered what his mother might say if she knew of Alicia’s sentiments.
“You’re most generous to a woman who has done everything to ruin you.” He couldn’t take his eyes from her. “Yet you’re willing to forgive her. Why?”

Her dark eyelashes lowered, her cheeks pinked quite becomingly. “Because without forgiveness, there can be no healing.” She put her hands in her lap, then looked up with what he almost thought was shyness.

“I don’t understand. Why would you care, Alicia?”

She gave him a coy look. “Perhaps I’ll tell you later.”

“Alicia,” he said gently, extending his hand, “if you wish to invite her, then do so.” He felt suddenly in need to protect this lovely young woman. “But promise me you won’t be hurt when she refuses.”

She clasped her fingers around his hand, her only answer a gentle smile that tugged on his heart.

While they finished their meal in silence, Dalton wondered if Alicia might better understand his mother if he told her the one secret he vowed never to share. “Alicia, there’s something I think you should know,” he said with hesitation.

She glanced up over her wineglass.

“When I was two and ten, my favorite horse was an Arabian mare, Quicksilver. I was delighted when she gave birth to a foal. I had been up most of the night with her, and when she finally had the colt, I could hardly wait to tell my mother. My father was in London, on business. I raced up the stairs to her bedroom suite. There were no maids or footmen around. I rushed into my mother’s bedroom and—”

Her eyes widened, waiting. “And what?”

Dalton glanced away. “I found my father’s brother, Uncle George, with her. My mother was beside herself. She ran after me, trying to explain. I ran off. I took refuge in the hunting lodge where one of the gamekeepers found me.” His eyes met hers again, and he saw the shock and pain in those large dark eyes. “I’ve never forgiven her for deceiving my father. I never will.”