Page 36 of Good Duke Gone Rogue

Reggia watched as Bernadette’s nostrils flared. “The lady just wants a quick ride, John. I’m sure that can be arranged.”

“I’m sure it can’t,” John returned.

“Come now—” Reggie intoned, feeling uneasy but now willing to step in.

But Bernadette stopped him with an extended palm and a small glare. The behavior surprised him. He’d never been the recipient of Bernadette’s censure. He wasn’t sure it soothed the edginess of the situation. It wasn’t to be his battle to fight though.

“John,” her voice started out sweet. “As you know, I have the rights to stud Prince. Since I’m no expert at racing”—she was momentarily interrupted by a grunt—“I’m going to auction off this right.” And then her voice dropped low, “And I can auction it off toanyoneI want. And that person, regardless of status or intention, will then possess one of Prince’s offspring.” She waved the note to fan herself. “As it currently stands, I plan to sell to the highest bidder with good character references. But,” she narrowed her eyes at him, “I am a desperate woman. And I may change my mind.”

Reggie, though pricked at being dismissed earlier, was pleased to see her stand her own ground. A small cough (or stifled chuckle) from Quinn made its way to Reggie’s ears while darting a glance at John. He could see the man was wrestling with his past and future pride.

John grunted. “You’ve got ten minutes.” His back was already turned to go grab a saddle.

At the begrudging capitulation, Reggie sighed in relief.

“I’m going to grab a drink. I’ll return when the veterinarian arrives,” Quinn waved and made his way to this house.

And then as Reggie watched Bernadette ride the horse, beaming, his heart warmed. She was glorious. Cautious but with a reckless streak. Demanding when she needed to be. And not willing to put herself in a desperate situation, despite her earlier claim. She looked delighted to be on the horse. Taking a ride on a mount that few had the privilege to claim was quite the feat. As he watched the horse roll into a canter, he could feel his restlessness returning. He wasn’t sure how accomplished of a rider Bernadette was, but if she wanted to ride the horse, he had to trust her that she knew what she was doing. But when the canter turned into a gallop, his heart thudded along with each thump of the horse’s hooves. From behind, he could see her clinging to the horse, but he couldn’t interpret her body enough to know whether it was fear or excitement. Then, as she rounded the corner, he saw her face, and she was a goddess. Pure delight.

It took the same amount of time for her to return to where he stood as it did his heart to return to a more normal pace.

“That was a wonderful ride,” Bernadette exclaimed upon her return.

“It looked like you were enjoying yourself.” Reggie glanced around. Seeing John in the stables, out of earshot, he added, “At least that makes two of us.”

Bernadette chuckled. “Worth it.” Her smile glowed. “Totally worth it.”

When she dropped down, Reggie caught her in his hands, and mumbled, “It’s always worth it with you.” It was the second attempt. The start of something like opening his heart.

And she had missed it. “What did you say?”

“I said that—”

“Greetings!” A new voice called out. “You must be Lady Bernadette and Lord Reggie? His Grace mentioned that I could find you both over here.”

“Hello. You must be the veterinarian?” Reggie asked, and even in asking, he had an ungainly tension mounting inside of him.

The veterinarian swept a lock of hair away from his eyes. Eyes that widened expansively upon seeing Bernadette’s mien. Her beautiful, still diamond of the first water confidence and glow, shocked him.

“What a beauty…” the veterinarian whispered in awe while looking directly at Bernadette.

“I beg your pardon,” Reggie grumbled.

“That must be Prince.” He pointed to the horse. “What a beauty.” And he had the audacity to let out a long, low whistle.

Even though everyone knew in reality what he had said and done, there was no point in contradicting him. Well, there was a point to Reggie. A very pointy point, at the end of a sword, that was worth pointing out to this handsome, young-but-not-too-young, daring veterinarian.

“We just need to know if the horse is healthy or if there are any concerns we need to be made aware of.”

“No concerns that I can see.” And he was back to looking at Bernadette.

Reggie’s blood was boiling. What a strange thought…boiling blood. If anyone’s blood should be boiling, it should be the veterinarian’s. And that, at the hand of Reggie.

It was unreasonable though. She was a free woman. She could choose to be with any man she desired. Those thoughts were only adding the fumes billowing up within him.

Even if she wanted to be with an obnoxious veterinarian, Bernadette didn’t deserve to be looked at and spoken to in thisfashion. But the man was charmingly deceptive. Acting in one reality and speaking in another.

“Shall we get on with it then?” Bernadette finally spoke up.

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