Page 29 of It's In The Duke's Kiss
Emma nodded as Lucian got the horses moving again. “I read Burns last night,” Lucian said.
“You did?” Hehadbeen listening to her last night at supper! “Do you like him, or did you read his work to prove me wrong that he was the best poet?”
“No, you were perfectly right. I love him. But it had been far too long since I’d allowed myself the pleasure of simply sitting and reading.”
“How long?
“Several years,” he replied, his tone heavy with regret.
Emma gasped. “Years! That’s terrible. Why so long?”
He shrugged, but she could see by his wary eyes that it wasn’t a matter simply to be shrugged off. She placed her hand on his arm, and she could feel his muscles jump under her touch. “Tell me.”
“I have many responsibilities, and they consume most of my hours. I suppose I didn’t feel I had the time to stop and read anymore. I’ve spent a great deal of time sorting out messes Nathaniel’s made, and when that doesn’t occupy me, business does, or my mother does. It leaves little time for myself.”
“Did something change last night?” she asked.
His gaze locked with hers, and the memories of how he tasted burned in her mind.
“Yes,” he said, not breaking their contact. “I was reminded that I made a promise to myself several weeks ago to start letting my brother sort out his own messes.”
“And how is that proceeding?”
“I’m working on it,” he chuckled. “Thus, I paused to read a poem when an enchanting snow fairy revealed that she and I shared a love of the same poet.”
She frowned. “Your brother called me a snow fairy when we were ice-skating.”
“I called you that first.” Lucian turned the phaeton off the road and onto his drive. “I saw you twirling on the ice, and I immediately thought of a snow fairy.”
“Why didn’t you come out and skate?”
“Dukes don’t skate,” he replied, matter-of-fact.
She burst out laughing. “Someday, Lucian, I vow to get you on the ice and show you what fun you’ve been missing.”
They rode in companionable silence to the land adjacent to Lucian’s home. It was a wide expanse of green grass and gently rolling hills with a forest framing the grounds. Emma stared in awe and appreciation at the land as Lucian drove them up to the small party gathered near a meadow.
Before Lucian had even drawn the phaeton to a stop, Nathan was beside her. He held out his hand to her as he scowled at his brother. “I’m sorry I didn’t get the opportunity to drive you here myself,” he said.
With little choice but to take his hand or appear rude, she did so, but she gave Lucian a parting smile. “That’s all right.” Her reply was loud enough to ensure Lucian heard her. “Your brother is excellent company.”
“Is he now?” Nathan fairly snarled. “I promise,” he said, leaning down and surprising her by whispering in her ear, “I’m much better company than my brother.”
Before she could respond, he swept her away from the phaeton and toward a blanket spread out in the grass. It was set away from the others, yet still in sight so that it was perfectly proper. Nathan paused in front of his mother, who sat with Lillian and Lord Edgeworth.
Lord Edgeworth rose and bowed to Emma. “It’s good to see you again, Lady Emmaline. Will your parents and sister be coming to watch the race?”
“Oh, yes. They should be along shortly.”
He nodded. “Have you ever watched a horse race?”
“Certainly. I’d much rather be a participant, though.”
“Then why don’t you join us?” he challenged.
Emma laughed. “I dare not. My mother would have a fit of the vapors if I took to a horse and raced with the two of you. I got in quite a bit of trouble the last time I dared to race. Though, I promise, if I were racing, I’d be the winner.”
“Would you now?” came Lucian’s deep voice from directly behind her.
