Page 20 of Claimed By the Duke of Ice

“You can’t be serious.”

Grace laughed at him, sending another shot of amusement through him.

“You keep saying that,” she retorted, “but you will soon find that yes, I am indeed serious about my passions. Come,” she urged playfully. “Race with me. We shall make it a game. If you win, I shall promise to ride sidesaddle whenever we have company.”

“Is that so?” he mused, enjoying the way she seemed to challenge not just him but their society’s rules. “And if you win?”

Grace’s eyes softened, and she reached toward him slowly. He tried to let her touch his arm, but at the last second, he pulled away, not wanting to take the chance. Instead of getting upset, however, she only smiled at him, her eyes shining with a tinge of sadness.

“If I win, you must kiss me,” she replied.

Sparks of arousal shot through Nathaniel’s veins as she spoke so boldly. He knew he should be offended by her disobedience, but instead, it only made her more alluring. Who was this bold woman he had married?

“Very well,” he agreed, shifting in his saddle, “I hope you will enjoy your new side saddle.”

“Don’t worry,” Grace laughed, readying her starting position herself, “I won’t need it.”

Hoping to throw her off a little, Nathaniel let out a sharp whistle, signifying the start of the race, and kicked his heels into his steed’s side. He raced the first couple of strides alone, but within no time at all, he saw Grace’s black mare race alongside him. At seeing her gain ground so quickly, he realized that she might actually win and that he would have to hold his end of their bargain. A kiss. So consumed by this, Nathaniel lost focus, and Grace gained the lead.

By no more than a stride, Grace won the race, and as she drew her mare to a stop at the end of the meadow, she climbed down from her saddle with great ease and began to jump and dance with enthusiasm.

“I won!” she sang exuberantly, spinning in a circle. “No more talk of side saddle, dear husband, for a deal is a deal.”

Unable to not be affected by her burst of happiness, Nathaniel chuckled as he slid off his saddle, so he, too, could let his beast rest.

“I suppose it is,” he agreed. “I’ve never lost to a woman before.”

Grace smiled back at him triumphantly. She looks so beautiful like this, he thought as they stepped toward one another.

“There is a first time for everything,” she replied, her voice dipping into a sultry tone. He immediately recalled their first kiss and how it had sent a shiver of pleasure throughout his entire body.

“Indeed, there is,” he murmured as they closed the space between them.

Some of Grace’s excitement faded away as she looked at him, the emotion replaced with angst. As if she feared he wouldn’t hold up his end of the bargain. Her face was still flushed from the flurry of the race, looking bothered in a delicious sort of way that pleased him. A similar flush had taken over her when he’d kissed her, and he liked it then, too.

“A deal is a deal, husband, is it not?” She askeds, holding his gaze.

“Are you sure that is what you want?” he challenged, raising a brow at her.

Passion sparked in Grace’s eyes as she nodded, and Nathaniel couldn’t help but admire her dedication to her winnings.

This time, as Grace reached for his arm, he didn’t pull back. Instead, he let her touch him, and he felt relief when the numbness didn’t come. Feeling emboldened by this, he leaned down as he stroked her cheek with the back of his gloved hand and kissed her softly. He almost moaned immediately as he felt her lips against his. He’d forgotten how soft and full her lips were, how her taste pleased him so.

A small moan slipped from Grace’s lips as she shifted and pressed herself tight against his chest. She felt so small in his arms. So soft and inviting. But as their kiss deepened and his arms tightened around her, Nathaniel began to feel the numbness. It started in his hands, like it always did, and then itched up his spine. He pulled away suddenly, unable to control the spasms that came next and took several steps away.

“What is it?” Grace asked, reaching for him in concern. A look of hurt came over her face as he stepped further back, rubbing his hands together in hopes that it would lessen the numbness.

“We should not do this,” he stated, going back to his horse.

“I am your wife, Your Grace,” Grace responded, sounding confused, “If kissing should not be done with me, then whom else should it be done with?”

There was no answer that Nathaniel could give to appease her curiosity. Not one he was willing to give her, at least, and he knew that. Part of him hated himself for not being truthful to her, but another felt it was the only way to protect himself.

“Do not dare question my authority,” he snarled, turning back to her.

“I am not questioning your authority, Your Grace,” Grace bit back, stepping toward him. “I’m questioning why you sought to marry me if you do not wish to be around me.”

While part of Nathaniel admired her fierceness, he, for the most part, was annoyed by her quick wit and ability to stand toe to toe with him in argument. He didn’t need someone around demanding an explanation from him. Especially this particular one.

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