Page 54 of The Untamed Duke
“Llyr dinna suffer durin’ the stay at Oakmont,” Hugh commented, coming to stand beside her.
Yesterday, the last of the breeding with the mares Sebastian sent was completed. Now, together they watched the stallion in his turnout. Llyr’s ebony coat shone like onyx in the sun as he pranced, shaking his head until the thick mane tumbled over his thickly muscled neck. Grace was reminded of his arrival nearly five years before and the difference from then and now.
She also thought of Nicholas and her comparisons between him and the horse.He probably believes I am the most eccentric of females, even if what I said was the truth. He is like Llyr. Proud. Wounded. Resilient.
“They took excellent care of him while we were there,” Grace answered the stable master honestly.
“Ye dinna say if your offer was taken.”
She could not look at Hugh, afraid he’d see the truth on her face. Afraid he’d recognize the sacrifice she made for Bellmar Abbey. Numerous times the man brought the subject up, and Grace avoided it every time. Now was no exception. “I told you before. It’s complicated, but for the moment Bellmar is safe.”
Hugh tilted his head, disappointment darkening his weathered features. He pulled his grey mustache in agitation. “I dinna think ye would do it. What I knew ye was plannin’. But still, ye did, aye? Och, lassie…”
“You needn’t worry. Things will work out.”
“But ye—”
Hugh was abruptly cut short. Rounding the tree-lined drive, a four-in-hand team approached, mud-splattered horses high trotting. The coach bore a familiar dark blue color, the Ravenswood shield emblazoned upon the door. Grace inwardly groaned. She expected someone from her cousin’s stables to arrive any day to collect the Ravenswood mares. She did not think it would be the earl himself.
“Not another word on the subject, Hugh. His Lordship must not know I ventured anywhere near Oakmont. Or the duke,” Grace warned, leaning away from the paddock fence. She waved at the approaching vehicle. “Promise me.”
The Scotsman tucked his chin and grumbled beneath his breath.
“I’ll take that as your vow.” Grace patted his arm.
* * *
“Grace! Hello! Grace!”Lady Ivy Ravenswood hung out the open window of the coach, laughing, waving frantically with one hand, the other holding her hat atop chestnut hued curls. Obviously, Sebastian did not care to see his wife draped through a window, shouting like a washwoman on Sunday. A masculine arm wrapped about her waist and tugged her back inside.
But Ivy was difficult to keep contained. As the coach rolled to a stop, the young countess appeared once again in the narrow opening.
“My darling Grace! I’ve not seen you in forever! Hurry, Sebastian. I must get out of this coach at once.”
“And I must insist you wait at least until the vehicle is no longer moving, my dear,” Sebastian drawled from the shadowy interior, the request clear above the sound of horse’s hooves.
His tone exhibited the highest affection for his wife, and a shot of envy zinged Grace. The love these two shared was deep and unequivocal. They cared not a whit that it was unfashionable for spouses to be so deeply infatuated with one another.
“Wretched man.” Ivy laughed, leaning back into the coach.
Grace was fairly certain her beautiful cousin-in-law was at that very moment pressing a warm kiss upon the earl’s lips. Her own lips suddenly tingled as she recalled the feel of Nicholas’s mouth on hers. And other places.
Hoping it might dispel the images flashing in her mind, Grace wiped her mouth with a shaky hand.
When Ivy finally tumbled from the coach, she immediately wrapped her arms about Grace, squeezing tight. “Sweet little cousin! How happy I am seeing you again! It’s far too long since you’ve visited Beaumont. You left us no alternative other than braving the wilds of Cornwall just so we might see your beautiful face.”
“I’ve missed you both terribly. What a pleasant surprise you’ve come for a visit.” Extracting herself from Ivy’s arms, Grace returned Sebastian’s affectionate embrace, accepting his kiss on her cheek.
“I know we’ve surprised you; however, Ivy would not be deterred. Although, I suspect her true motive for coming along was simply that she’d have me alone in a coach for an extended period of time,” Sebastian said, flashing a grin at his blushing wife.
“You reprobate.” Ivy wagged her finger at the handsome, dashing earl. “Behave yourself, my lord.”
“I always try, madam.” Sebastian executed a slight bow, lips turning upward with amusement.
Two servants sitting topside with the coachman jumped down and began removing the couple’s baggage. While that was undertaken, Ivy linked her arm with Grace’s.
“I’m assuming all has gone well with the mares?” Sebastian asked, watching the men handle the bags. Once assured all was taken care, he turned his attention back to the women as Grace ushered them all into the house.
“No problems at all. We finished yesterday...the storm set us back a couple of days.”
