Page 38 of Taming Ivy
“I intended on releasing him from the wager.” Ivy grimaced when another toss of the rake garnered more laughter.
“That wouldn’t do at all, my dear. If you believe he will allow you to forgive a debt, you’ve much to learn. The man always pays what he owes. And collects what is due.” The lady’s smile turned unconsciously sultry.
What remained of Ivy’s self-confidence disappeared like a puff of smoke. A romantic connection once existed between the earl and this old friend. Perhaps it still did. Strange how such matters held a great clarity now. Was it possible others could see what lurked beneath the surface when she and Sebastian were together? It was a disquieting thought.
“Have you known the earl for long, Lady Robertson?” The devil prodded her to ask the question.
Caroline’s laugh was far from malicious. Waving to a gentleman arriving at the stables, she admitted, “Long enough to know the man is an awful tyrant! Now, there’s Lord Daven, the handsome thing. He’s to be my companion today. Try not to tweak Ravenswood’s nose too much.” Then, with a sly wink, she added, “Unless you are interested in his ideas of retribution.”
Excusing herself, Caroline nearly sprinted across the courtyard, calling out to Lord Daven. Ivy stared after her in confusion as Sara came up to link arms with her.
“It would be for the best if you released him from the wager.”
Nodded at the group standing precariously close to where Sebastian worked, Ivy said, “I’m afraid to get any closer to tell him. Besides, I’ve just been advised Ravenswood will not allow it.”
“I should stay close to you today.” Sara smoothed away a few scone crumbs from the sleeve of Ivy’s riding habit. “It’s not safe, darling.”
“If I go through with it, I intend to keep him busy with plenty of demeaning tasks. He’ll not have time to attempt, nor think of improper things. And should he find a spare moment, the man will be so irritated, seduction will be the last thing on his mind.”
“It’s not safe,” Sara repeated when Sebastian lifted his head, scanning the faces of those gathered around. Like a tiger on the hunt for the lone gazelle left on the plains, he found Ivy in the crowd.
Ivy’s heart swelled. The man was worldly and handsome and oh, so dangerous. Her previous trepidation concerning his pursuit suddenly seemed to be a moot point. After all, he was no different from other members of the pack…regardless of the anticipation tingling in her veins every time those grey eyes of his slid her way.
Sara groaned in exasperation as Ivy returned Sebastian’s heated stare with an answering smile. The air between the two of them fairly crackled with electricity and people were whispering of it. “If you are not careful, you will find yourself truly ruined before this weekend is over. You are already being referred to as Ravenswood’s Lady Butterfly by some here.”
“It is much better than Poison Ivy,” Ivy replied with firm practicality. “Sara, you worry overmuch. In the midst of all these people, I am perfectly safe with the earl. As safe as you are with yours.”
Had Ivy bothered to notice, she would not have missed the guilty tremor in Sara’s voice, nor the flush in her cheeks when her friend breathed, “Safety in numbers, my dear, is vastly overrated. Certain men have little problem overcoming even that dubious handicap.”
Sebastian feigned concentration on the muck shovel gripped tight in his hand. Was Sara reminding Ivy to have a care for her reputation? Warning her away from him? Considering the challenge thrown at Bancroft last night, it would not be farfetched to think so. His interest in her was clear enough; upon their return to London, it would become blatantly obvious.
Ivy would ignore Sara’s warnings. She was close to succumbing, ready to drop into his lap like a bit of ripe fruit. The Revenge Situation, as he now referred to it, was moving along very well indeed.
After wiping his hands on a hot towel a stable lad offered him, he made his way to where the horses waited. On the other side of the courtyard, Ivy hugged Sara and began walking toward him. Hiding a smile, he whistled a light tune as he tightened the sidesaddle’s girth and adjusted the single stirrup on the mare assigned to her.
“I did attempt to catch you before it was too late. How could I know you were so eager to muck stalls?” Ivy stroked the dark bay mare nuzzling into her palm. “Hello, Lilly. Oh, you are a beauty, aren’t you?”
“Merely fulfilling my part of the wager.” Sebastian’s bow was mocking. “As your slave, I’m yours to command.”
“You are not to be my slave.” Her grin held no artifice. “Just a groom.”
“Let us not quibble over the designation.” Removing the halter, Sebastian dropped a bridle over the mare’s head, slipping in the bit with practiced ease.
“I do hope you have been given a steed befitting your new status. A cart horse, or a mule perhaps?”
Sebastian gathered up the reins to lead her horse from the railing. “I brought my own.” His nod indicated a dark gray stallion standing apart from the others. Occasionally, the beast flung out a massive rear hoof, followed with an inquisitive look from liquid dark eyes to observe the victim. When a boy carrying a grain bucket jogged by, the stallion bared his teeth and gave a low whinny. Recoiling in surprise, the lad dropped the tin container, spilling half the oats. The horse nickered in satisfaction, dipping his head to the limits of the reins tethering him to the post and lipping up the feed in record time while the youngster collected himself and the empty bucket. Shaking an angry fist, he hurried on before the stable master learned of the mishap and boxed his ears.
“Dear Lord,” Ivy breathed. “He is most certainly not a servant’s mount.”
Sebastian chuckled, wagging a finger at her in mock disappointment. “Like his owner, he is quite capable of behaving when necessary.”
The gray calmed with a quiet word from Sebastian, and as the bay mare came alongside him, nickered softly and lowered his head.
“There is nothing to be afraid of,” Sebastian said to Ivy. “Raven has certain ideas how he should be greeted. Keep your hands level and approach from the side, so he may see you better. I’m unsure how he formed these opinions, but it’s easier to humor this small vice than to try and change him.”
“I’m not afraid,” Ivy retorted. “But I’ll blame you should I come away with half an arm missing.” She stroked Raven’s neck, wary enough not to get too close, but the horse stepped toward her, bumped his finely sculpted head into her chest and promptly dozed off in contentment.
Sebastian leaned in. “See? Nothing to be frightened of. In fact, I daresay he likes you.” Holding Ivy’s gaze across the expanse of Raven’s broad head, he smiled. “Your touch soothes him.”
