Page 82 of Lord of Temptation
“I’m nothing at all like my brothers.”
“At your core, I suspect you are. Did you all fish with your father?”
“We did. God, I haven’t thought of that in years. Father was a large man—or at least he seemed so when I was small. His presence diminished everything around him. He was bold, strong, invincible. As grand as Pembrook. But at the pond, I would stand beside him and ...”
She watched his throat work as he swallowed. “And what?” she prodded.
“Suppose you teach me to play croquet.”
She’d rather pursue what had brought the melancholy to his eyes. She hoped it was tender memories, knew that even the fondest of reminiscences could bring a hint of sadness for the moments remembered, and those lost. He had lost so much. She was rather certain he’d share no more with her. Besides, it was best to move back into the fray of the party before her brothers decided they needed to interfere.
“It’s quite easy. I suspect you’ll be rather good at it. Come along.”
She retrieved two balls, told him to select a mallet.
“I’ll share yours.”
She gave him a pointed look. “You need one with a longer handle.”
“I’ll make do.”
“But you’ll have to hunch—”
“I’ll be fine, Princess.”
“You are quite the stubborn man.” Grateful others were farther along in the game, she trooped over to the first stake, well aware of his long strides keeping pace. “The object, of course, is to run the course, passing the ball through the wickets until we reach the other stake. Like so.” She positioned herself, concentrated on placing her mallet in alignment with the ball so that a smart tap—
She felt his arms come around her, his hands close over hers.
“What are you doing?” She hated that she squeaked, sounded breathless, was frozen.
“Learning to play croquet.”
“You could bywatchingmy movements.”
“And such lovely moments they are, but where’s the fun in merely watching? Much better to learn by experiencing. You see, this way, I know precisely how to hold the mallet, how much my body should tremble—”
“Tristan!” Her voice was low and sharp.
“Youaretrembling, Princess.”
“In anger. You’re making a spectacle of us.”
“You didn’t seem to mind my being behind you last night.”
Oh, dear Lord, she hadn’t. She’d been on her knees, he on his, when he entered her. “We didn’t have an audience.”
“I want you, Anne. Where can we go for a few moments alone?”
“You’re going to ruin my reputation. Then who shall have me?”
“I’m not doing anything improper.”
“You’re doing everything improper.”
“I thought the whole point with these games was to offer an opportunity for flirtation.”
“But not an opportunity to hold, to—”To be acutely aware of your warmth, to inhale your earthy orangy scent, to imagine those hands that are now tightened around mine luxuriously caressing my body.“You go too far.”
