Page 58 of His Wild Duchess
Breathing a sigh, she led Vaun towards them, her eyes never once daring to leave George.
CHAPTER 16
George doubted he’d ever be able to get used to seeing Penelope riding upon Vaun as though he were nothing more than a child’s pony. Not only that, but he had never realized how thrilling it was to see a woman as uniquely beautiful as Penelope managing to tame a frightening looking stallion. Sure, his size made him stronger than other breeds, but it was the midnight colored coat and lustrous black eyes that brought experts and aficionados to their knees.
To Penelope, Vaun was only another horse, one that deserved the same love and affection as any other. George watched as she rode the stallion around the short path outside of the townhouse, dirt and grass kicking up all around them. Even though she was only riding him, there was something about it that caused George’s heart to soften, as though he watched her care for a child or a wounded animal.
After a short tour of the townhouse, Winnifred complained of sore ankles and a pounding ache in her temples from the long travel, and insisted on taking herself to bed. George had yet toshow Fred how Vaun had been coping with the location change, and if he’d settled comfortably into his new life. They went out into the yard, expecting to spend a moment or two in the stable, only to see Vaun running wild and free with Penelope holding the reins. Fred eagerly jogged forward when they caught sight of her, as Vaun was the horse he had spotted in the wilderness all those years ago.
“Well, I’ll be,” Fred murmured. “Wasn’t he wild?”
“You remember as much as I do how wild he was.”
“But no longer?”
Sighing, George tucked his hands within his trousers, unable to stop himself from grinning as Penelope sped by them, still unaware of their presence. “You tell me, Freddie.”
Fred would never outrightly call himself a horse expert, despite being exactly that. Growing up in western America meant being surrounded by all kinds of wildlife, including horses much like Vaun. Wild mustangs frequented the hills around Fred and Winnie’s farm, and some of their blood ran in Vaun himself.
“Can’t say I’ve seen somethin’ like that,” Fred said. “You know what I’d give for a talent like that, Georgie.”
“I hear you.”
“In all of London,” Fred continued, “How’d you manage to get a hold of a woman like that?”
George chuckled. “Better not let Winnie hear you talking like that.”
“Now, I said,in all of London,Georgie.”
Letting out a loud laugh, George nodded, holding up his hands defensively. “You got me there, Freddie. And I told you before. Marrying Penelope was nothing other than a burst of luck. The one good thing my father managed to leave for me.”
“And you’resureit’s fake?”
George side eyed him irritably. “I’d know, wouldn’t I?”
“Well, now I’m not too sure of that.”
Ignoring that last comment, George focused his attention back on Penelope. As she came around a curve, dipping close to them but still not acknowledging their presence, George caught a glimpse of a wild and carefree smile that had overtaken her face. Whether or not she knew it, the expression lit up her entire person, creating a beautiful creature that had to have been torn right out of a storybook. George found himself enthralled as if he were a schoolboy reading fairy tales.
“For someone who claims to be in a fake marriage,” Fred suddenly drawled from his right, “You sure look like that’s your girlon that horse.”
“Lord, Fred, don’t say that here.”
“What?”
George lowered his voice. “Girl. She’s, ah…”.”
“What, is that a cuss word over here?”
Rolling his eyes, George focused his attention back on Penelope, her auburn hair flying behind her like a torch. “You know what I mean, Fred.”
“How you Londoners say anythin’ youtrulymean, I dunno.”
“Don’t start with that again.”
“Fine,” Fred grumbled as he leaned against the stable, hands tucked within his suspenders as they watched Penelope in the distance. “How ‘bout we start with that young lady again?”
George found himself unable to take his eyes away from her. “What about her?”
