Page 48 of Claimed By the Duke of Ice

“No imposition at all, dearest,” she purred, taking his hand. “What do you have in mind?”

“Do you recall our first horse race?” he asked.

Grace laughed as she rolled her eyes and nodded. “Oh yes,” she replied, “it was a… “spirited” day, wouldn’t you say?”

“Indeed,” he replied, knowing he shared the same mixed feelings as she did about the day. “Well, I have decided that I would like a rematch.”

Grace’s eyebrows flew up in surprise. “A rematch? So that you may be bested twice instead of once?”

Nathaniel had grown to love the way Grace’s words could be both playful and truthful, and he smirked at her response.

“I wasn’t ready then,” he replied playfully, sliding his chair closer to her. “But I am quite certain I am now. We can even bet on it as we did before if you wish. In fact, I prefer it.”

A flare of interest shone in Grace’s blue eyes, and she began to trace her fingertips over the top of his gloved hand.

“And what, pray tell, would be betting this time?” she asked in a sultry tone.

Nathaniel’s cock immediately jumped at attention when the pitch in her voice changed, and in a quick moment, he seized her hand and brought it to his mouth.

“If I win, then I shall get to take you against a tree,” he proposed, meeting her eyes with a dark look. He watched in satisfaction as Grace’s eyes glittered back at him with arousal and challenge.

“And if I win?” she asked, a smile playing on her lips.

“If you win,” Nathaniel murmured, placing kisses against her hand, “you may ask for whatever you want, and I will not be able to refuse.”

Excitement and desire twinkled in Grace’s eyes as her smile spread wider across her lips.

“Anything?” she whispered.

Nathaniel nodded as their eyes remained locked. “Anything.”

“Very well then, husband,” she agreed, rising from the table. “Let us have a race.”

* * *

“Where on earth did this beauty come from?” Grace gasped, spotting the new mare as soon as she and Nathaniel walked into the stables. With brisk steps, she walked up to the lithe, black beauty resting in the first stall and held out a patient hand. Immediately, the beast jutted its muzzle into her hand and whinnied. She turned back to Nathaniel, waiting for an answer and saw he was grinning from ear to ear.

“She’s a Friesian,” Nathaniel explained, joining her. “From the Netherlands. They are known to be calm and not spook easily.”

“She’s beautiful,” Grace breathed, petting the horse’s long nose.

“And strong,” Nathaniel agreed, pointing to her hindquarters. “Note her muscle structure, her mane. She is the epitome of perfection.” He paused, turning his gaze toward his wife. “Just like you.”

Grace felt herself blush as she let go of the new horse and went into Nathaniel’s arms. He kissed her soundly, holding her close as their lips came together.

“It only recently dawned on me that I never got you a wedding gift,” he murmured, their lips still slowly coming apart and joining together in small kisses. “Do you like her?”

Grace gave Nathaniel a final kiss before she lowered her head and tucked her body tight against his in an embrace.

“I love her,” she replied emphatically. “Thank you so much, my darling. She is absolutely radiant.”

“I am so glad you enjoy her,” Nathaniel replied warmly, turning her in his arms so that her back was to his chest. “She will be ready for you to ride in a week or two. Her training is going very well, I’m told, but she just needs a bit more time.”

Playfully, Grace squirmed out of her husband’s arms and went to the wall of bridles and horse tack.

“She will do just fine today,” she replied with a cocky grin.

“Grace, no,” Nathaniel countered, stepping between her and the new horse. “She’s not ready yet. She rides well, yes, but she still needs to learn her new surroundings and get adjusted to the terrain.”

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