Page 103 of Outrageous

“I wish you had time to make this decision, but there is none. Not only is the situation volatile, but I must get back.” He didn’t have to say why, and she certainly agreed with him. “If you decide you wish to leave with me, rest assured I will see that no word of these past few days gets out.” His expression hardened and Eva shivered at the cold determination she saw; the man was implacable.

“You should know that Byer has expressed a desire to marry you. When he learned that you were with Visel, well, he expressed his feelings for you most vocally. I’ll be the first to admit I’d not expected such depths from the man,” he said musingly, and then shrugged. “He told me he loves you.” An hour ago that news would have stunned her, but she’d seen the truth of her father’s claim in Tommy’s eyes. “You needn’t accept Byer or Visel, Eva. You can come home to Exham. Mia and I were planning to tell you this summer that you needn’t return to London. The only reason we insisted on one Season was to give you an opportunity to experience something other than school or life at Exham. It wasn’t meant to be a punishment.”

He looked so remorseful that Eva felt bad about the way she’d behaved for months on end. “It wasn’t all a punishment, Papa. I enjoyed being with Gabe and Drusilla. But I do not want to have another Season—especially without them.”

“So that is settled, then. If yo u decide to come back, we can find something else for you to do.” His lips twitched up on one side. “I know you’ve got a fine eye for cattle and I wouldn’t be opposed to giving in to Brewster’s incessant nagging to buy more bloodstock. We’ve certainly got the room for you to try your hand at breeding—on a small scale,” he added when Eva squeezed his hand hard enough to make him wince.

“Oh, Papa! Really?”

He was definitely smiling now. “Oh, Eva, really.”

She warmed under his teasing more than his actual offer, although the offer was the culmination of all her dreams. She could return to Exham and actually raise horses? It had been all she’d wanted since the time she’d cajoled Brewster to allow her to attend her first foaling.

It sounded too good to be true. Eva met his questioning, curious stare. “You really mean I could choose my own stock, have a hand in actual daily operations and not just watch from a ladylike distance?”

He raised his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Yes, yes, yes. You will be your own mistress in this matter—short of bringing your cattle into the castle or moving yourself into the stables, of course.” He hesitated and then said, “For some time Mia has argued you have talents that are not being utilized. I agree—you are a superlative horsewoman. She’s also argued you should be allowed to develop your talents without certain, er, how did she put it—ignorant male hindrance.”

Eva laughed. Yes, that sounded like Mia.

He gestured to her clothing. “I agree that gowns in the foaling or breeding sheds are dangerous.” Eva began to grin and he lifted an admonishing finger. “You will be allowed such liberties on my property only, Eva. The first time I catch you riding astride in town and scandalizing villagers—”

“Of course, Papa.” She bit down on her smile. It was like a dream come true; it was the only thing she’d ever wanted.

Godric’s face, red, smiling, and sweaty, flashed through her mind’s eye. Not the only thing you’ve ever wanted.

She lifted her hands to her hot cheeks and shook her head. No.

It is true. You’ve had him for these few nights and you want more. You want more of him and the things he can do to you, for you . . .

Her father squeezed her hand, the action piercing her erotic imaginings. “The decision is up to you, Eva.”

He released her hand and stood. “I will leave you for a little while to think on it. I am taking Bounder into town. I left James in charge of securing a decent team for our chaise.”

“James is here?” The marquess winced at her screech. “Sorry, Father, but—I’m just surprised he is with you.”

“It seemed a prudential decision for several reasons.” He frowned at her. “He was quite stricken to have left you, Eva.”

She nodded miserably.

“I know you are not insensible to the wrongs you have done him, or the difficult position you put him in,” he said, reading her expression accurately. “I assured him that he mended the situation as well as he could have after his initial mistake.”

“It was all my fault, Papa. James didn’t want to come along. I know he just came to keep me safe.”

“I know it was your fault. But perhaps in the future he will know to talk some sense into you or find somebody else who will talk some sense into you, before giving in to your every demand.”

“Thank you for not punishing him, Papa.”

One dark brow arched. “It is not for me to punish him. I will leave that in Brewster’s capable hands.”

Eva winced; James’s father was as terrifying as her own.

“Yes, just so,” the marquess said, once again interpreting her correctly. “Now, if there is nothing else?”

Eva shook her head as she looked up into her father’s blue eyes—eyes clouded with concern now rather than disappointment—and thought of Godric’s, and how she’d believed they were similar. Other than being blue, they were nothing alike, she saw now. Oh, her father and Godric were both strong, powerful men—they shared that characteristic. She respected her father a great deal and saw many of his qualities in Godric—for all that Godric had behaved like a madman these past months.

But he’d not acted like a madman these past few days. He’d apologized for how he’d behaved and appeared genuinely ashamed of his actions. If there was one thing Eva could sympathize with, it was being ashamed of one’s actions.

As the door closed behind the marquess, she sagged back in her chair.