Page 97 of His Duchess' Mischief

There were two women she knew who would be able to assist her in concocting a plan, but guilt washed over her as she remembered how they had parted.

I behaved like a child.

Pressing her lips together, she remained at the window for a little time, watching Seth’s strong figure bend over the beds and recalling how domineering and commanding he had been in the box.

She shivered, a smile tugging at her lips as she rang the bell for Rose.

By the time she went downstairs, Seth was still in the gardens. Whatever thoughts he was trying to banish with the rigorous activity were proving stubborn, indeed.

Alicia stood in the entrance hall, Dove held against her chest, irritated by her disappointment at his absence.

This was usually the time when they had breakfast. Seth would speak of some uncommon bird or owl that he had long been searching for across the English countryside, and she would enjoy listening to him describe its habits.

When did learning about birds become my favorite pastime?

Not wanting to miss an opportunity to spend time with him, Alicia strode out of the house and along the drive before she headed into the garden.

Seth’s shirt was soaked with sweat, clinging to his muscular shoulders, his biceps bulging against the fabric. Alicia felt a wave of want so potent that she stumbled across the gravel path.

At the noise, Seth twisted around, and for an instant, his gaze was black and furious. Then, as he saw her, his countenance softened considerably.

He glanced up at the house, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

“My apologies, did I wake you?” he asked, throwing the spade into the soil and turning to face her.

His shirt had come loose completely, and Alicia could not stop her eyes from roaming over the flat, chiseled planes of his torso.

When she glanced back up at him, his eyes glinted, and he smirked.

“Breakfast is served,” she said, her cheeks pinkening slightly at the need that crept into her voice.

Seth relaxed his stance, tilting his head to the side. “Are you unable to eat alone anymore, Duchess? I am honored that you require my presence.”

Dove was trying to scramble down to get to him, and Alicia frowned, pulling the kitten back against her.

“I am more than capable of eating alone, but I thought you would need some refreshment. You have been out here for hours.”

Seth glanced back at the beds and the tilled soil. Langham was making his way toward them from across the lawn, seeming completely unsurprised to see his master tending the soil.

“I suppose I have,” Seth said, his tone teasing. “I shan’t come back inside until you admit you want me to eat with you, though.”

Alicia glared at him, but he simply raised an eyebrow. She had to hold back the urge to stomp her foot.

The silence stretched.

“All right! I have grown accustomed to your presence.”

Seth threw his head back and laughed heartily, at which point Langham stopped, watching him with a smile of his own.

“Quite the endorsement, Duchess,” he declared. “Very well, you have convinced me. We cannot keep Miss Baines waiting, after all.”

He sauntered over, his long legs drawing her eyes even as she attempted not to look at them.

“Do you think I should change?” His voice was low and intimate as he loomed over her, his dark eyes like pits to lose herself in.

Alicia swallowed. “That would probably be wise.”

“You do not like what I am wearing? Perhaps I should sew a strange coat using the tattered pieces of my old ones, as you have done.”

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