Page 52 of The Love Potion
If the duke resented having a female school him about his own horses, he didn’t show it. Indeed, he challenged her straight on, forcing Zoe to defend her conclusions. By the time they arrived at his estate outside London, the two were having a lively discussion about breeding methods. It was not a proper topic, and yet, neither one flinched from the topic.
The discussion continued through their refreshment. The duke made pains to include Kynthea or to change the conversation to a more general topic, but she knew when she was beat. She laughed as she waved them both away.
“Go on with the both of you. I know Zoe wants to show you what she means. She’s always happiest when she has a horse nearby.”
“Miss Petrelli,” the duke rushed to say, “I’m afraid we’ve been terribly rude.”
“You have been nothing of the sort. Now go. I shall enjoy this lovely lemonade and then stroll down to join you in a moment.”
Zoe dimpled as she smiled at Kynthea. “My cousin understands me very well. She’s been a loyal friend to me.”
The duke agreed. “She has been very patient this day.”
Kynthea laughed. “Go away! I want to listen to the birdsong. We never hear it so clearly in London.”
The duke bowed to her and then escorted Zoe to the stables. Kynthea watched them go, her heart sinking at their obvious connection. She understood exactly what was happening here. Zoe was making her play for the duke’s hand in marriage, and from the looks of things, she was succeeding beautifully. Given that the Crown had already approved of their union, a sharedinterest would overcome most scruples. Indeed, it was a godsend for the typical aristocratic marriage.
Which meant that His Grace and Zoe would likely be engaged by the evening meal. And what a shock that was! The duke had been clear that he had no intention of marrying Zoe. And yet, the two had found a common interest. And with the pressure from the Crown, a marriage was the most likely outcome.
Which meant Zoe would indeed ask Kynthea to be her companion. But that would be a big problem for Kynthea.
It was a stupid thing, really. Indeed, she couldn’t possibly believe it had happened. She knew better, but it was too late. Her heart was engaged. She had no idea when she’d tumbled into love. Perhaps it was when he had sat beside her for a week defending her reputation. Or maybe it had happened when he threw off his spat and instructed the orchestra to begin the waltz again. She knew her body had thrilled to his kiss and then heated nigh until boiling at night. She couldn’t close her eyes without reliving every single touch between them, from their most formal greeting to the intimate thrust of his tongue.
She’d relived that latter thing many times. And when Madame Ilie had explained more lustful activities, her heart had pounded with excitement, and she’d lost herself several times in her imagination.
She was glad that Zoe had carried the conversation in the carriage because Kynthea’s mind had been almost wholly absorbed in wondering about the duke’s hands and where he might put them. About how it would feel to have him kiss her breasts or spread her thighs. Far from being frightened at the idea of him in her bed, she had imagined his thrust as he filled her. Her nipples had grown tight and her nether regions moist. It was not something a proper companion would admit, but she couldn’t lie to herself.
She lusted after the man, and it had been near torture to sit across him in the carriage and not feel his touch again.
She gave up the mental pretense of searching for a different protector. She wanted to become the duke’s mistress. It was the best option for her, and indeed, a dream come true if one examined what she’d been thinking last night. But now His Grace was set to marry Zoe. And though many men had a wife and a mistress, could she betray her cousin like that? Could she lie with Zoe’s husband?
The idea was repulsive. Which meant she couldn’t be the duke’s mistress. And she couldn’t be Zoe’s proper companion either. Not if this morning’s carriage ride was an example of what was to come. While Zoe and the duke had discussed horses, Kynthea had nearly melted from lust.
She’d hid it the best she could. Thankfully, once horses became the topic, Zoe wouldn’t notice a lightning bolt two feet away. But Kynthea knew how far she’d gone into lust, from the sweat on her brow and the uncomfortable way she’d shifted and moved on the squabs.
She wanted the man her cousin would marry, and if she remained Zoe’s companion, she’d spend night and day in the duke’s house. She’d likely have a bedroom down the hall from him. How could she possibly survive living in proximity to His Grace without completely disgracing herself? And humiliating her cousin in the process?
It was insupportable. And yet, what other option did she have?
Chapter Seventeen
Ras smiled ashe watched his stablemaster take Lady Zoe to task for working in his stable without telling him who she was. When Ras had first told Mr. Barnes that “Miss Daisy Duncan” was a well-bred lady, his stablemaster had all but called him an idiot. But now, with the two of them face to face, he was able to sit back and watch the sparks fly. To her credit, Lady Zoe held her ground. She’d worked for free and done a good job of it. She didn’t cower or apologize, and Mr. Barnes seemed completely flummoxed. At least until she started challenging his neglect of his older mares. Mr. Barnes had never neglected a horse in his entire life, but it was true that his attention centered more on the racing stock.
And so the two began a lively debate that would look to others like a full-fledged argument. But what he saw was two people who loved horses and who also enjoyed an energetic debate.
“Why don’t you show Mr. Barnes your father’s ideas for the stable?” Ras asked from a healthy distance. “See what he makes of them.” Ras knew quite well that Lady Zoe was the author of what she’d presented. Certainly, her father had given his opinions, but she was the one with the true vision. And if she could get his stablemaster on board, then Ras would come along as well. But first he had to see what Barnes thought. And he also had to get out of earshot before the two deafened him with their discussion. “I’ll go see if Miss Petrelli has gotten lost.”
Mr. Barnes acknowledged the statement with a tug at his cap. Lady Zoe on the other hand waved with a distracted kind of focus. Her eyes were trained on Whirl who was just being led out for her inspection. Not Whirl, he corrected himself. The horse’s name was… was… Oh hell. Now he’d forgotten.
He turned and went in search of Kynthea. He found her wandering down toward them. He took a moment to appreciate the sunlight as it turned her brown hair gold. Her gown was a muted blue, probably a cast-off from her aunt who preferred that hue. He would see her dressed in copper or gold. Or undressed and in his arms such that he could see the golden tones in her skin and the flush of rose as her breath increased. He would spread her thighs and…
Oh hell. He shut down his erotic thoughts and tried to focus on the woman as she approached. But that was a losing game. She was beautiful. She was refined in dress and composure. And he wanted her with a madness that was becoming uncomfortable.
She smiled when she saw him, and his body heated to flame. He smiled back and quickly made his plan. There was a tack room nearby. Perhaps it was empty…
“Have you abandoned Zoe already?” she asked, her voice light enough to tease. “Or did she ride off without you?”
“She and Mr. Barnes are coming to terms. I judged it best to back away until a truce has been called.”
