Page 41 of Married to the Forbidden Duke
She stepped forward, leaving the protection of his support and limping closer to the mare, resting her hand against the horse’s neck. “I shall call you…Fortuna,” she declared, her tone soft but reverent. “You are a symbol of good fortune to come.”
Frederick rubbed at his chest, where he felt as though he might have heartburn, and strode forward to the special saddle he’d had prepared. #
“Why don’t you ride around the courtyard to get used to it?” He flicked his fingers and attendants came to affix the saddle toFortuna. It was side saddle, of course, but with a built-in support for her damaged leg, holding it steady and straight.
“Ingenious,” she murmured, reaching out and pressing her fingertips against the leather. “Can it be adjusted?”
“Here.” He showed the straps that bound the leather to her leg. “That way, as you build up muscle, it will continue to fit you. Until perhaps you no longer need it after all.”
Her gaze flicked to him and then away, so fast he almost missed the movement. “Do you think that’s likely?”
“That you’ll recover enough to ride without help?” He shrugged.
The doctor had given him little enough in the way of assurance every time he’d asked, but he understood that was because her case could not be guaranteed. Still, he felt hopeful. Already, her frame seemed stronger, and although she still walked with the stick, he fancied she needed it less.
“I think it entirely possible,” he nodded. “Nothing in this life is certain, but we can work under the assumption it is, and make provisions if it’s not. I will keep trying to find a way if I have to.”
He paused, and she glanced up at him with an expression he couldn’t quite decipher. The air crackled with heat and tension—as though she had not expected his pronouncement, and couldn’t process it.
At the same time, he saw gratitude in her eyes. Reluctant, but present nevertheless. Relief warmed his chest.
He waved a hand at Fortuna, now saddled and bridled and ready to be ridden. “This shall always be here in case you need it, and there are other ladies’ saddles available if you ever have need of them. And Fortuna, so I believe, will suit an expert rider well, while still being sweet-tempered.”
“You think of everything.” Although her tone was wry, the smile slipped from her eyes as she regarded him. “Thank you. You didn’t need to do this.”
“What have I told you.”
At a quick glance, the servants bowed and left the courtyard, so there were just the two of them standing together. He rested a hand on her upper arm, drawing her fractionally into him. His blood heated, calling for her touch, but he dared not get any closer. “You are my wife. I will always do things that will make you happy and improve your quality of life wherever possible.”
“Discharging your duty toward me,” she murmured, tipping her head back. Her eyes were beautiful today, somber and deep, like twin pools of honey he could drown in.
“If that’s how you’d prefer to think of it,” he replied.
“Do you like me?”
He frowned, unsettled by the question. Fortuna snorted beside them, standing patiently, but it was as though Alice had forgotten all about her horse as she looked at him. As though she might be falling into his touch just as much as he fell into hers.
“How do you mean?” he asked cautiously.
“I mean, if you didn’t think you owed me, would you have any desire to do this for me? I know you—” Here, her cheeks reddened. “I know you find me attractive. But what of…”
“I would like you better if you stopped requesting Cook make kippers for breakfast.” He laughed softly at the unexpectedchagrin that crossed her face. “But yes, I do like you. I think you are clever and strong and even though we have not always gotten along…” Now it was his turn to pause. “You know my wishes for you.”
“Mm, I know.” The corner of her mouth tilted mischievously, though it didn’t lift the dark expression in her eyes. “You want to kiss me.”
“Very much,” he murmured, looking down at her mouth. “I have ever since…” Ever since the day he had first kissed her. “And you?”
That was an admission too far for her, he could see; her lips tightened and she would have stepped away if not for the hand on her arm. “Would you like to kiss me now?”
“I—” The desire that kicked through his body felt like a punch to the gut, stripping his breath from him, but he peered down at her even so. “Do you mean it?”
Her chin rose. “As a thank you. For the horse.”
“You don’t need to offer me your body as a gesture of appreciation,” he said soberly. “That is not why I did it.”
“I have nothing else to offer you.”
You could offer me your forgiveness. But that wasn’t likely. Nor was it right.
