Page 31 of Secrets of the Marriage Bed
‘So your estates adjoin.’
‘Here they do. For a short distance only. Further that way we run up against common land.’
She smiled at him. ‘So, we are to visit an orchard.’
‘I thought we might,’ he muttered.
‘I should like that.’
‘We have to pass it, anyway.’
Why was he sounding so defensive? Or as if he was attempting to convince himself of the wisdom of showing her a bunch of trees?
A short way along the lane, the fields gave way to the distinctive shape of fruit trees. He dismounted and opened a gate in the hedge. He walked the horses through and closed it again. Trees stretched in neat rows as far as the eye could see. It would be a grand place for children to play. Trees to climb and hide amongst. She decided not to mention those particular thoughts.
‘This must be a sight to behold when the blossoms are out.’
His expression softened. ‘It is. It smells glorious.’
‘What do you do with all the apples?’ She grinned at him. ‘You couldn’t possibly eat them all.’
‘We make some of the finest cider in the country.’ His voice held pride. ‘Sackfield has no trouble getting and keeping labourers once they have tasted our home brew.’
‘That is bribery, sir.’
He quirked a brow. ‘Simply good management.’
She laughed. ‘These trees are not the same as those back there. The bark looks different as does the shape and the apples are not as far along.’
‘You are right. Those we saw first were Nonpareil. Here we have Golden Harveys and down that way Lemon Pippins for cooking. There are also pears and peaches against the wall at the south end.’
The horses wandered along the gap between the hedge and the first tree in each row. Alistair drew Thor to a halt and leaped down. ‘There is something I want to show you.’ The note in his voice was different. Darker, sensual. It touched her like a stroke across her shoulders. A little thrill ran down her spine.
Unhesitating, she put her hands on his shoulders when he came around to her side of Bella. Grey eyes met her gaze, molten with silver. Heat rippled through her at the feel of his large hands on her waist. The slow sensual slide down his body, with his gaze locked her hers, left her knees weak. When he finally set her on her feet, he held her steady for a moment or two, giving her time to catch her weight.
He knew exactly what he was doing. Flirting. The dissolute Duke had made an appearance here in the country. And wickedly, her body came alive under his hands. Desire. Along with a smidgeon of anxiety. He hadn’t approached her in this way since the moment they wed.
The thought hurt. She brushed the pain aside. He had saved her from a terrible situation with their marriage. She had no right to ask for more.
‘All right?’ he asked, his voice a low rumble.
‘Yes.’ Her voice sounded husky, breathless.
A wicked grin curled his sensual lips.
She swallowed.
He stepped away, tying the horses to a low branch on the nearest tree and unbuckling the rolled blanket from behind his saddle she had noticed, but not really thought much about. Clasping her hand firmly, he led her deeper into the orchard, ducking beneath low branches here and there, until they arrived at a huge tree with a gnarled trunk and low twisty branches.
‘This is the oldest tree in the orchard,’ he said. ‘We think it is more than a hundred and fifty years old.’
‘Positively ancient, then.’
He gazed upwards into the leafy canopy. ‘There is a great view to be had from up there.’
Her mouth gaped open. ‘Are you suggesting I climb it?’
‘It isn’t difficult. I’m told my mother did it.’ Again there was that odd note in his voice. Nothing of the chill to which she had become accustomed. And he was sharing something with her that seemed to have special meaning.
