Page 54 of Duchess By Accident
Adrian did not break his eyes away from her.I will not let her win this little game that we are playing.“I shall have to keep that in mind.”
“See that you do, husband dear.” Natalie winked at him.
“I feel like I should get you a gift.”
“A gift?”
“Yes.” “Though it will have to be a most unusual gift to be worthy of you. I know, I shall get you a bow and arrow!”
He jerked his head in the direction of the archery course that she had set up to spite him. It was hidden by the sweeping shrubs of the garden, but he knew she would know what he was referring to.
She gave him a teasing smile and batted her eyelids at him. “And are you not worried I would use it on you?”
“I think you would miss our banter too much to use it on me.” He winked at her again, catching sight of her rolling her eyes even as two faint spots of colour appeared on her cheeks.Two can play this flirting game, Little Thief.“Besides, I would not let you get that close.”
“The benefit of a bow is that it is designed to be used at range.” She laughed.
“I suppose that is true. Though as I have yet to see you shoot one, there is nothing to suggest you would be capable of striking me.” He chuckled.
“I will have you know I am a rather excellent shot.” She straightened, a flash of pride stealing across her face.
He canted his head towards her. “Are you indeed? In truth, the image of you as Artemis on high is rather… fetching.”
“I had not taken you as someone who enjoyed being hunted.” Her eyes sparkled in the sunlight, and a lock of hair fell across her face.
He reached up and tucked it behind her ear, his fingers lightly brushing her smooth skin. “Who ever said I had any intention of being the quarry?”
Her lips parted and he felt a rush of warmth spread through his fingers. He half expected her to move away from him, but she did not.
Natalie’s voice was soft. “We cannot both be the hunter.”
“Are you sure about that?” He arched an eyebrow at her, his voice full of silken promise.
She rested a hand on his chest, her lips quirking upwards as she murmured “Perhaps we could take turns.”
His own breath caught, the warmth of her spreading through him.She is getting better at this.She shook her head, and moved away. The world seemed to snap back into life. A stab of disappointment filled Adrian, and he frowned.
“Why are you getting me a gift anyway?” Natalie asked.
“To say thank you.” Adrian ran a hand through his hair.
“For what?” She frowned at him.
“When we made the agreement, I had no idea just how much of a difference you would make to life at Blackwood Castle. How much of a difference you have made to our lives. You have saved my daughter in more ways than one, and I would honour that in some way.” He shrugged. “Whatever you want – name it and it is yours.”
An odd look flitted across Natalie’s face at his words, but it was gone too quickly for Adrian to understand it. For a moment, he had thought it was hurt, but that made no sense.
She glanced out of the window. “I do not want a gift. I do not want payment of any kind. Melody is not a burden or a chore. She is precious and full of love, and I would do most anything for her. I do not need payment for loving your daughter, Adrian. My love cannot be bought – it is freely given.”
“I was not suggesting that it could.” He canted his head towards her, taking in the hard set of her jaw and the tension in her shoulders.
She glared at him. “Were you not? Because that is what it felt like.”
“That is not how it was meant. Melody is my pride and joy. I had not expected, nor even hoped that you would be as protective of her as I am. Nor that you would cherish her as I do, and the depth of that affection means a great deal to me.” He made a placating gesture.
“Is that not what it means to be a mother?” She folded her arms across her chest.
“To some, perhaps.” He clenched his fist and shrugged. “But not to everyone.”
