Page 95 of Taming Ivy
Ivy's aqua eyes smoldered with a mischievous light. "And I as well. Do you think lovemaking to be the cause for our perfect slumber?"
Sebastian chuckled, his gaze dropping to where she held the covers to her bosom. With her sparkling eyes and that wild tumbling hair cascading over creamy bare shoulders, she looked sinfully delicious. "I've no doubt that’s true, and on that subject, would you care to undertake a little experiment this morning?"
"Afternoon.” Ivy automatically corrected, her voice high with nervous excitement. “What do you have in mind, my lord?”
Taking the teacup from her, Sebastian set it on the tray. Slowly, inch by inch, he tugged the covers from her grasp until she was bare. Ivy shivered, but let him gaze his fill in the soft light. “Have you wondered if that tub is big enough for two?” he murmured, reaching out to brush her hair back from one soft shoulder.
“I have.” Ivy did not look away from the possessive light in his eyes. “And is it?”
“I’ll let you determine that”
CHAPTER 33
That same afternoon, Sebastian led Ivy to the stables. Samuel, the stable master, met them in the entranceway, his smile warm with welcome before making an excuse to disappear quite abruptly.
Ivy gave Sebastian a quizzical glance at the man’s odd behavior just as he reemerged from one of the aisles, leading a dappled grey mare. The horse’s polished hooves danced a delicate tattoo on the cobblestones, her head high as the stable master grinned with pride. Ivy’s eyes lit up, a longing on her features that could not be concealed.
“Her name is Spring,” Sebastian said, taking the lead rope from Samuel. The horse gazed at them with dark, sweet eyes then butted a finely molded head against Ivy’s shoulder in curiosity.
Ivy ran a hand down the sleek neck. "She's perfect. And so beautiful.”
“No denying that,” Sebastian agreed. “She’s one of Raven's get. I bred him to one of Bentley’s finest mares before I left England and to our surprise, that mare threw twin foals. Alan gifted the filly over to me and kept the colt.” He ran his hand over the mare’s flank, pleased when she did not nervously dance away. She was a good mount for Ivy; spirited and gentle. "She's yours, if you would like her.” Smoothing his hand over Spring’s rump, he gave it a light, affectionate slap. “Or, if you rather, you may have your choice of any horse in our stables. We can even journey to Tattersall’s…I will purchase whatever horse you…”
"Oh, I love her, Sebastian,” Ivy interrupted, her face glowing. “She reminds me of my pony, Heather. She’s retired at Somerset Hall, the old girl. They are almost the same color, although Spring is certainly taller, nor as plump. I shall go change into my riding habit at once.”
Sebastian shook his head in regret, smiling at her impulsiveness. "Have you noticed the lateness of the hour, love? It will be nightfall soon. Tomorrow, we’ll set out and explore the estate and you can ride her then. It pleases me that you like her but she only arrived this morning, so a bit of settling is best on her first day.”
Ivy glanced out the double doors of the stables. The afternoon had quickly slipped away. Stable boys lined up buckets of oats for the evening rations while high overhead in the lofts, other lads tossed down hay into the individual stalls. She stroked Spring’s velvety nose, leaning to breathe deep her sweet horsey smell. "You are right. It’s so hard to wait, but tomorrow will be a lovely day to ride. Thank you, Sebastian. Thank you for gifting her to me."
Sebastian handed the mare’s lead rope to her and crossed over to Raven's roomy corner box. Slipping inside, he ran a hand down the stallion's legs, checking for any lingering effects from their late night ride. Giving the restless horse an identical pat on the rump, Sebastian’s words drifted to Ivy standing outside the stall.
"I rode Raven fairly hard last night, but he'll be itching to get out tomorrow. He's not one to appreciate confinement.”
Sebastian leaned over Raven's stall door, his eyes dancing. Ivy’s cheeks were pink. Studying Spring’s dappled pattern, she traced the curve of the mare’s slightly dished nose before sneaking a glance at him. Her sudden silence must be in response to the unspoken reminder of what occurred in the library and that morning. Exiting the box, he retrieved Spring’s lead rope, guiding the mare back to her stall with a clucking sound.
"Why doesn't he like it?" Ivy asked, an odd breathiness to her voice.
Sebastian shot her an inquiring glance as he closed the stall door, throwing the iron latch to secure it.
His wife was truly dazzling. Like a sweet piece of fruit, she stood in the center of the cobblestone aisle way. The apple green dress turned her eyes to a sparkling shade of emerald, dust motes dancing about her, caught in shafts of late afternoon sunlight. The stable boys, busy with their chores in anticipation of the end of the workday, buzzed about her like industrious bees, unable to take their eyes off her.
"Samuel,” Sebastian called out, his eyes never once leaving her face as the man came jogging up. "We require the use of your office. Her Ladyship feels a bit faint. Just the excitement of the new horse, I'm sure, but a moment of privacy will be appreciated.”
Ivy stared at him in amazement when he took her arm. Before she could voice an objection, Samuel wholeheartedly offered the use of his office for as long as necessary, although everyone understood Sebastian did not need to provide an explanation for its use. The Earl of Ravenswood could go and do whatever he desired.
Sebastian directed Ivy to the opposite end of the building and into a spacious room. It was an orderly space. A battered and scarred oak desk containing various stacks of paperwork relating to the operation of the stables took up most of one corner. Pieces of bridles and snaffle bits were interspersed among the papers, with some used as paperweights. Against one wall was a narrow cot, useful for when the mares were in foal, and a spot was required to rest.
Shutting the door behind them, Sebastian lit a lantern to supplement the golden light streaming through the upper gallery style windows. A traditional window just behind the desk was open to the late afternoon breeze. Pastures were visible through it, the green grass gilded gold as the sun began to descend behind the trees.
"What devilry are you are about?” Ivy watched Sebastian lean against the functional desk. "I certainly don't feel faint.”
"Don’t you?” His eyebrows soared. Folding his arms across his chest, legs stretched and crossed at the ankles, his expression was curious. "You appeared quite pale for a second there. And you sounded a bit shaky.”
A nearly invisible shiver ran through Ivy.
"What is the matter, love?" he murmured. "You know, I can always tell when something is vexing you.”
She stared at him, eyes wide. "You can?"
