Page 9 of The One With the Rogue Duke

“No.” But she tried.

“Just out for a walk then? Alone?”

That was perfectly plausible. “Yes.”

“Nice day,” he said in a low seductive tone—no, not seductive at all. Just a regular old male tone.

“It’s a wonderful day. Hence I needed to find you to discuss the riding event.” Well now she’d done it. Blown her cover.

“So you did come to find me?” He must be very relaxed, considering the casual nod he gave her.

“That’s besides the point—”

And just a few feet away, Blackmare whinnied.

The blasted half naked man dashed off to tend to the horse, so of course she followed close behind.

Upon closer inspection, Blackmare’s sides were soaked in sweat. “Why is she kicking at her belly?” Verity asked.

“I don’t know. Something is definitely wrong though.”

Restless, the horse tried to lay down and then got right back up.

“Oh my God, she’s having a baby,” Verity declared.

“Don’t be ridiculous—”

“There’s a hoof popping out.”

“What?”

“You didn’t know she was pregnant? What kind of groom are you?”

“Not the kind you think. But this is not good news. We don’t have time to get back to the stables. We can’t move her, and that foal is coming out right now.”

“Why is only one hoof coming out?”

“I don’t think that’s a good sign.”

“You don’t think? What do you even know about horses?”

“I’m still learning about the pregnant ones,” he grumbled, but went on. “We don’t want a bent leg.”

“We have to reach up there and help her.”

The man stared at her. Naked chest and all. “All right—”

“I’ll do it,” she stated. For some inexplicable and deep-seated reason she wanted to be the one to help this mother in need.

“But—”

“I’ll do it. Just keep her calm.” Verity crouched by the left side of the horse’s rump, careful not to be directly behind her, and then slowly reached up and into the canal. She didn’t have time to cringe as her hand searched for a hoof.

“I can’t…find it.” Her voice caught on the words.

“You can do it. Just breathe in deeply.”

“Now what?”