Page 58 of Dangerous

“Are you telling me I have created a hoyden by giving you a horse, my lady?”

“Oh no, I already was one. You are only providing a hoyden with the proper accouterments.” Her smile faded slightly. “My father is a great hunter and was desperate for a son. My mother had tried and failed thrice before they had me. I believe he was beginning to become resigned to me when Cian was born. But Cian was a very sickly child so His Grace made certain to prepare me for the hunt to cover his bets, I believe the saying is?” She cocked an eyebrow at him.

“That is one way of putting it. Is that something you picked up since your return to England?”

She shrugged, the gesture elegant and exotic when she did it. “I learned it on board the Batavia’s Ghost. The men did almost nothing but gamble when they were not at their tasks. It was very amusing to watch and listen although my—my servant was very disgusted in my interest in their games.” She gave him a vague smile, her face oddly flushed.

Now what was that about?

“When my brother grew stronger and it became clear my father would have the son he wanted, my mother decided she would have the daughter she wanted.” She gave him a wry smile. “And she did not want a girl who rode horses all day and spent the remainder of her time in the stables following the grooms and coming in late for dinner smelling like a horse.”

Adam could easily imagine her as a little girl: skinny, wild hair flying, mischievous green eyes.

“Your seat is very good,” he said, deciding he would let the earlier hitch in conversation go unremarked. He was far too suspicious of every small thing.

“Thank you, my lord. Thank you also for Maven. Will we take her with us?”

“Yes, of course. Although it sounds as if you might need a couple of hunters to keep up with you in the country.”

She gave a delighted laugh. “I would love to ride to hounds.”

Adam basked like a lovestruck ninny in the warmth of her laughter.

“Tell me of Exham Castle and the country around it. What is it like?”

“The castle was commissioned to protect England against the incessant threat of French invasion. It overlooks the River Exe and the earliest parts date from the 1380s. We no longer have catapults and cannons, of course, but you can see the places where they were once anchored. The castle has hosted its share of famous guests over the years, among them Richard III, Henry VIII, Queen Elizabeth, and Charles II. During the Civil War the castle was held by Baron Robert de Courtney against the Roundheads for almost a year, until he was finally felled and the castle taken. But Robert’s loyalty was not forgotten and Charles II granted the castle to his offspring, Adam de Courtney, and elevated the family with an earldom.”

As Adam described the impressive de Courtney seat, he realized how much he was looking forward to going home. He missed both Exham and his family, no matter that each visit to his daughters was accompanied by so much anxiety.

He went on to describe the countryside, the small town of Exham, which had grown up to serve the castle, and the challenges of making a residence out of a military fortification. The ride passed quickly and they were back at Exley House before he knew it.

“What a chatterbox I am, my lady,” he murmured.

“I believe it is the first time you have spoken without the application of hot irons, my lord.” She looked at him with such open affection it took his breath away. Good God, she was adept at working her way under a man’s skin. Or at least his.

“Have we plans for this evening, my lord?”

“I had not made any. What would you care to do?”

“I thought perhaps a quiet dinner at home.”

Adam tried to ignore the rush of pleasure he felt at her words. “Very well. Perhaps afterward we can have that game of chess you threatened me with?”

“On one condition.”

Adam met her dancing green eyes and shook his head. “You haggle like a fishwife, my lady. What, then, is your condition?”

“I would ask that we dine less formally?”

“Do you mean with fewer servants? Or perhaps you mean you prefer to dine naked?”

She laughed and cut him a wicked look as they approached the waiting groom. “You will find me more than amenable to both suggestions, my lord.”

Adam was glad to dismount as his current condition was rapidly becoming unconducive to either comfort or his health. “You are being wicked, my lady,” he murmured, loud enough only for her ears.

“I trust you will not forget my wickedness ... Adam.”

Good Lord.