Page 6 of Enslaved to the Seduction of a Lady
Chapter Three
Alison stopped outside the stables and took a deep breath. She dearly wanted to see Luke, but every time she approached the stables, she felt the need to pause, to take in her surroundings. Her heart began to beat too fast, her skin flush and sensitive. As she approached, she became aware of every part of her body, her flesh alive with an excitement and yearning she did not understand. But she liked it, and she wanted more of it.
From where she stood, hidden from view, she could see him working, his face so close to the horse she had no doubt he could smell her, his words whispered so quietly that Alison could not hear, but that voice drew her like a charm. She craved to hear him whispering in her ear, calming her. She shook the thoughts away, took back her breaths and let them come slowly, steadily. He meant too much to her for her to risk anything with such desire.
This was the place she came to calm her soul, to put herself at peace. Riding made her feel free in a way that no activity ever had before, and ever since Teresa had gone missing as a child, visiting the stables had become a habit of Alison’s. She loved the horses. To Alison, there were as close as family as she could get and for a long while, they acted as a replacement for her missing sister.
But it was not only the horses she wished to see. As much as she tried to push the emotion away, knowing it would not be something her parents approved of, she could not help but yearn after seeing Luke again. As time went on, and as he went from stable hand to groom, she found herself craving his company, seeing his sweet, handsome face, more and more.
At first, her parents had insisted she stop her frequent visits to the stables and yet, she could not. She was not even in love with Luke at that point, but she was filled with a desire to be free and to forget—and that is what the stables gave to her. It hadn’t taken her parents long to forget their concerns and allow her visits, though, because they understood how distressed Alison was, and as time went, her visits to the stables became one of her quirks.It’s just something Alison does, they would say, and she would smile at all they did not know.
“Good afternoon,” she said as she approached Luke. He looked up suddenly from his brushing, as though he had expected her and yet was surprised all the same. His grin grew broad and open, and he let the brush drop to the floor, rushing to her.
She forced herself to calm her breathing, to not stare wantonly at him.
“Good afternoon,” he said, his voice a rush of happiness. “I didn’t think you would come today, what with the party preparations.”
“You know me,” she said with a shrug. “I cannot keep away from my horses for long.”
“No,” he said. “I don’t suppose you can. There is a fine breed of stock in these stables.”
“Indeed there is,” she said, not taking her eyes from him, feeling the desire for him. She felt a stirring inside her, of emotion and of passion. She loved spending time with him, this man who had helped her through the darkest times in her life. It was Luke she went to whenever she felt sad or scared, but it was Luke, also, that she wanted to share her joys and happiness with. When they were together, she felt a peace, free to be who she wanted to be, and they laughed together often.
“So it is not me you wished to visit then?” he said, his lips twisted into a tease.
“And why would I wish to visit a blunderbuss such as yourself?” She raised her eyebrows, pushing her lips together to try to stop herself from laughing.
“Blunderbuss?” he asked. “That’s a new one, for you.”
With that, she let her giggles burst out of her, and he laughed with her. It was so easy to be with him, so liberating. And she couldn’t deny he was handsome as well, as she looked at him with yearning.
He cleared his throat and looked away, a fine dust of pink on his manly cheeks. She realized in that moment she had been staring for too long. She quickly looked away, laughing at herself.
Luke glanced back at her and smiled, wry and knowing, then he leaned down and started untangling the tackle. She watched him, the muscles in his back moving beneath his shirt, and she looked away, biting her bottom lip.
“Well, anyway,” she said, forcing the images away.
Do not ruin what you have by being wanton.
“Anyway?” he asked, looking back up at her with a half-smile.
“The garden is looking wonderful,” she said.
“I had no doubt it would,” he said. “You are very good at that sort of thing, you know, Lady Alison. It’s quite a talent you’ve got.”
“And you are quite the charmer, Luke Jones,” Alison said. “Is that how you win over all your lady friends?”
“You know me,” Luke said with a wink. “I keep all my charm for you.”
That made her smile broaden wider still. She knew he only teased her, as they liked to tease one another often, but still, his words made her heart sing with delight. She knew there was no way she could accept the likes of the Earl of Belmont while Luke existed in the world.
She forced herself not to step forward, not to say something to him, not to beg for his kiss, but she was saved when he spoke.
“How is your Father?” she asked after a moment.
“Jack? He’s doing well enough,” Luke said, his tone gone to one of concern. “Although I suspect he is not long for this world. The coughing is worse and he wheezes often.”
“I am dreadfully sorry,” Alison said.
