Page 2 of Invitation to Pleasure
With a sigh she made to dismount just as the stable door crashed open and voices started yelling. Apollo reared and Lady Marsh went flying through the air, landing with a thump on the straw covered floor. Daniel raced forward and tried to block the colt from crashing down on the prone young woman. The horse butted him with his head and he fell backwards on top of her, at least he’d protect her from further harm.
However, Lady Marsh spoke to the excited colt in a calm, lilting voice and the animal stopped prancing, and stood with nostrils flaring and eyes wide in the middle of the stall.
The pair lay still not wishing to startle the colt again. Daniel didn’t mind. The soft curves he lay upon reminded him it had been a long time since he’d been with a woman. Then he chided himself. Lady Marsh was not a lady to dally with unless he wanted marriage. At three and twenty he had no intention of seeking a bride. He had his estate to rebuild first. There was nothing he could offer a woman of her stature.
Michael, the head groom arrived with a halter and soon led the animal to another stall. He returned immediately. “The grooms have been drugged. I believe someone is out to steal some of Lord Hascombe’s horses.”
Daniel felt her stiffen beneath him.
“Well, the thief is not in this stall.” He watched Michael lift up the lantern he carried and look at the second pair of boots sticking out from under Daniel. “This is my paramour from Kent. She came up to surprise me. It was not safe for her to travel dressed as a woman. She couldn’t go through Christmas without some of my loving,” and he ran his hand down Lady Marsh’s side. He enjoyed hearing her quiet hiss of outrage.
“Well, you picked a dangerous place for a liaison, my lord. Apollo isn’t used to his new surroundings yet.” Michael looked over his shoulder. “Plus, it looks as though we have a thief on the premises. He or they have drugged the other grooms. I only avoided being doped because I had to help his lordship with the Christmas tree. You may well have stopped him stealing this valuable colt.”
“I’m sure I did,” he said ironically. “He wouldn’t have expected to find me here.” That got him a jab in his ribs.
“I shall leave you to your… , well, be careful and keep an eye out for the culprits.“ With that Michael backed out of the stall. He stopped and bent down to leave the lantern at the door to the stall. “You’ll need this so you are not surprised again.”
As soon as Michael’s footsteps faded, Lady Marsh pushed at Daniel’s chest. “Get off me.”
“I’m quite comfortable where I am, thank you. Besides, is that any way to thank me for saving your neck, Lady Marsh.”
Her breathing was her only reply.
Daniel’s temper flared to life. “Would you have preferred me to introduce you as the person who drugged the staff and tried to steal the colt? I’m aware that a lady’s reputation is far more valuable than the colt.”
“Not to me. If not for you I’d be well away with Apollo. Now I’ll never get him back.”
“Is your Grandfather alive to vouch for his gift?” He noted that she was no longer trying to push him off and he wasn’t going to move unless she asked. The feel of her beneath him stirred very pleasant sensations.
“Oh, for goodness sake. If he were, would I be here risking everything to steal him? Now get off me,” and she shoved hard sending him slipping sideways onto the straw. She was on her feet and racing to escape before he’d taken his next breath.
Daniel stuck out one leg and sent her tumbling face first onto the hay. He was on top of her in a moment. “You may be a lady but your manners are appalling. Where is my thank you?”
She turned her head to look at him over her shoulder. “And if he hadn’t called you lord, I’d never have known you were a gentleman. This is no way to treat a lady.”
Daniel snorted. “Ladies don’t steal high spirited colts,” he whispered in her ear.
“You know who I am, however I have no idea who you are. What is your name?” He couldn’t help a smug smile. She was interested in him, but then to his regret she added, “So I know to avoid you in future.”
“Daniel Kerrich, Baron de Winter, at your service, my lady.”
She frowned and said. “Blast. The Earl’s brother-in-law has caught me. Are you going to tell him what I tried to do?”
She knew who he was, that was interesting. He’d never been to London in his life, but he supposed people had gossiped about Rheda and her background. “Perhaps you could persuade me to simply let you go,” he suggested nuzzling her neck. That got him an elbow in his stomach. He laughed as he rolled off her. “I was teasing.” He leapt to his feet. “Come on,” he held out his hand to help her to her feet. “I’ll introduce you to Rufus. Let’s see what we can sort out.”
She took his hand and he marveled at how finely boned she was. Her hand was tiny compared to his. How on earth she’d had the strength to control Apollo…She must have the touch. Some people could almost talk to a horse and get them to do anything. He was one of those people. Maybe she had the gift too. He pulled her to her feet with little effort.
“Why are you doing this for me?” she asked quietly.
When she turned into the lantern light, he finally got a look at her face and he almost stopped breathing. Her hair was a mess, and her face was covered in dust and dirt, yet, she was still the most arresting woman he’d ever seen. Strands had come loose and wisps of hair fell around her face, as if it too wanted to stroke the perfect unblemished skin. He would have known she was highborn; her breeding was evident in her fine features. Her nose, eyes, and lips were in perfect symmetry to the size of her face. Vivid blue iris’s surrounded dark pinpoints that flared as the light flickered. Her eyelashes were so long he wondered if she had to detangle them every morning when she woke. Her nose was cute to the point of being childlike, but her lips… They were definitely all woman. Pouty and luscious, and he wanted a taste so badly he had to pinch his thigh to remember who she was.
“I’m the only man who could understand why you’d get worked up about a horse. Once you bond with a special stead it’s difficult to part with them.” She opened and then closed her mouth obviously surprised at his understanding. He bowed and with one hand indicated she should precede him from the stall. “Let’s just say I admire a woman who is passionate about horses.” Under his breath he added, “A passionate nature usually means passionate in bed too.”
They reached the entrance to the large stable block and Daniel’s body hummed when he saw the mistletoe hanging above the large barn door. He slowed his step and pulled her to face him, pointing upwards as he did.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I am not going to kiss you, I hardly know you. Besides because of you, my plan is ruined.”
“I can’t help the fact your plan was a terrible one. For all you knew, Rufus might have wanted to show Apollo off to his visitors. The estate is large. Did you really think you’d be able to slink in and out unaided?” He pulled her closer. “As to a kiss, a chaste peck is often the norm, but a more passionate kiss would be appropriate considering I saved you from facing Michael’s wrath.”
