Part 24 (1/2)
The marquess bowed his head. ”I will love you until the end of time, Elizabeth.”
Colin's eyes burned. He turned away and took out his handkerchief.
The marquess clapped his shoulder. ”It's time to return.”
Colin regarded his father. ”Thank you for sharing memories of my mother. It helps.”
That afternoon, Colin managed to evade a group outing and took Angeline to the stables where he chose a mare for her. ”We'll only trot,” he said. ”Those side saddles are dangerous. On second thought, I'll take you up in front of me on Aries.”
”You know I have a good seat,” she said.
”Humor me. Your father will kill me if you fall.”
”Colin, no.”
”Yes, do as I say. Aries is waiting.”
Aries snorted as if he agreed.
The groom helped her up even as she continued to protest.
”Hush,” Colin said. ”You'll enjoy this.”
”I rather doubt it,” she said.
He walked the horse along the path.
”Colin, why even ride if we're going along at a grandmother's pace?”
He kissed her neck.
”Keep your eyes on the path,” she said, ”or we'll both fall off.”
”I'll not let that happen. Hence the slow pace.” He didn't mention the enticing feel of her bottom against his groin. ”You can enjoy the scenery much better at a walk.”
”If I wanted to walk, I would use my legs,” she said.
He laughed. ”Relax.”
”What else can I do?”
”That's better,” he said. Lord, her soft bottom felt too d.a.m.ned good.
”Do you have a destination in mind?” she asked.
”Nothing in particular.”
”I don't believe you,” she said.
”Just a few more minutes,” he said. Ahead, he saw a spot beneath one of the barren oaks. He halted the horse and slid off the saddle. Then he reached for her and let her slide down his torso.
”You did that on purpose,” she said.
”Did what?” he said, pulling off the rolled blanket.
”If you're thinking of rubbing down Aries, you are wasting your time. He's probably put out that you forced him to a sedate walk.”
Aries snorted again and cropped the gra.s.s.
Colin took her hand. ”Come along.”
”Where?” she said in a snippy tone.
He liked it when she got feisty. ”Trust me.”
”Hah!”
He spread the blanket and pulled her down onto it with him.
”Why do I suspect you are scheming?”
”Because you're smart.”
”If I were smart, I would walk back to the house.”
”Don't be a spoilsport.” He lay on his side and propped himself up with his hand. ”Relax.”
She sat on the blanket and wrapped her arms around her s.h.i.+ns. ”I know what you're thinking,” she said, ”but it will not happen.”
”What do you think will happen?”
”You want to kiss me.”
”Will you let me?”
When she didn't answer immediately, his hopes leaped in his chest. ”Do you want to kiss me?”
”What I want and what I should do are two different things.” She looked at him. ”What happened with Faraday?”
”He's trying to decide between Sommerall and another property.”
”What is he like, this Faraday?” she asked.
”He's a gentleman. Arrived rather late.” He told her about Faraday's wife.
”Has she seen the house?”
”Apparently not. My father thinks she would make up her mind quickly one way or the other, but she obviously wasn't feeling well enough to join him.”
”So it ended up to be a waste of time,” she said.