Page 11 of The Love Potion
Damnation, she had been trying to get him time with Zoe, not create a stir around herself. But there was nothing to do now except curtsey as was proper and pray that Zoe understood the truth of the situation. Either way, tomorrow morning promised to be an interesting opportunity, if only Kynthea had the wit to manage it right. And more importantly, if Zoe managed to act like a lady twice her age. As for the duke…
Well, what did she hope for the duke?
Goodness, she didn’t want her thoughts to wander in that direction. Because, truth be told, she already had too many exciting thoughts about the man. By God, the memory of his wink set her belly aflutter. And that smile of his? Parts of her were tightening in a way she’d never felt before.
What was wrong with her? And damn it all, she had to throw the man at Zoe. Sometimes the life of a companion was horribly unfair.
Chapter Four
Ras was wrongabout Nate. Apparently the man was desperate enough to find an heiress that he maneuvered to join the morning ride. He showed up bleary-eyed at the stable, but he was there, his curly hair in rakish disarray.
“Good lord, man, did you sleep at all last night?”
His friend shrugged. “A gossipmonger’s work is never done. Especially when one wants to put it in print. Many people deny the words, but I—”
“Use a pseudonym so that no one knows who pens Mr. Pickleherring’s salacious tales.”
Nate grinned. “It pays the tailor bill, and that is all I care about.”
He cared about a great deal more since he did verify his gossip. Ras knew the real reason Nate haunted the gambling dens and society ballrooms was so he could expose the liars and the cheats. If someone had warned Nate’s father about the conman who sold shares in a bogus investment years ago, Nate wouldn’t be reduced to penning a gossip column to pay his tailor now.
But that was yesterday’s tale. Today’s activity included a morning ride with the most intriguingly odd woman he’d ever met. She spoke with absolute rationality about the business of marriage and in the same breath discussed love potions. The discontinuity of that made him smile and, more important, she seemed to understand when he was making a joke. His senseof humor was lost on most people, so he appreciated that she looked a little deeper. That was so rare that he immediately wanted to know her better.
What he hadn’t expected was that he’d spend the night reliving every second of their conversation together. For all that she tried to appear a conservative chaperone—with modest brown hair, a simple gown, and restrained gestures—it took very little for him to see that she had strong thoughts and wasn’t averse to challenging his opinion. No one had taken him to task in years, and he was startled to discover that he found the experience arousing. Unpleasant, to be sure, and yet so interesting as to make her the most attractive woman in the room.
What a perverse creature he was, and yet the pleasure he had derived last night from remembering every moment with her, even the uncomfortable ones, had led to erotic imaginings that still had him randy at seven in the morning.
He glanced at Nate, who was not as bleary-eyed as he looked. “What’s got you so happy? You’re practically dancing in the saddle.”
They were on their way to pick up the ladies, with the grooms and other horses following at a steady pace. Thankfully, the streets were not very crowded.
“I am my normal happy,” he responded levelly. “I enjoy my morning rides.”
“No, you’re not,” Nate returned as he scratched at his jaw. “You’re practically grinning.”
He was not. But he might be smiling which, admittedly, was rare. Fortunately, they arrived at their destination and headed for the door. Lady Zoe was the daughter of the Earl of Satheath and so resided in an appropriately grand residence with a butler who opened the door well before he and Nate made it up thesteps. They were escorted inside with all the normal pomp, only to find Lady Zoe nearly vibrating with excitement.
“I see you brought Swirl and Rumble,” she said when they entered. “Excellent choices, though I do hope you will allow me to ride Rumble.”
Ras paused in the middle of his bow, only to straighten up with a frown. “Swirl and Rumble?”
Lady Zoe had been perched at the edge of a settee, looking out the window. She now seemed to drag her gaze off the horses to him. “Yes, the two mares, Swirl and Rumble. Swirl because of the whirls she has on her cheeks and Rumble because of the noises she makes when you groom her.”
“The mares are named Epona and Nevarra.”
“They’re…oh.” She pressed her hand to her mouth as her cheeks heated. “I am merely repeating what the grooms called them.”
Ras straightened until he was peering down his nose at her. “And how do you know what the grooms call my horses?”
“Um, well, as to that…” The girl fidgeted with her riding gloves. “I happened to be near your stables a few weeks ago. I love horses, you see, and couldn’t resist.”
Nate chuckled from where he stood beside the tea tray. He hadn’t waited to be served but had helped himself to a strong cup. “You cheeky minx. You have been secretly visiting Ras’ horses.”
“It wasn’t a secret!” she cried. “I, um, I…”
“Good morning, my lord, Your Grace.” Miss Petrelli entered behind them, moving quickly as she brushed an errant strand of hair out of her face. “My apologies for being late. The countess required some extra attention with her morning chocolate. Ah, Lord Nathaniel. I am so glad you didn’t wait on ceremony with that tea. It would be cold otherwise.” She shot a hard look at Zoe who had apparently forgotten she was supposed to serve.
“Not at all,” Nate said with his customary enthusiasm. “We were just discussing how Lady Zoe is already familiar with Ras’ horses.”
