Page 79 of When the Marquess Was Mine
I’ve never been known for my saintliness, but this time I’ll try.A fever-flush of exhilaration warmed Georgiana. It would take a lot more than Lady Sidlow’s counsel to make her turn away Rob now.
“Did you have a pleasant conversation with Major Churchill-Gray?” she asked to divert her chaperone.
“Yes,” Lady Sidlow admitted. “He seemed determined to sing his brother’s praises, as if we might see both of them again, and often.”
“Well.” Georgiana cleared her throat, unbearably pleased that it was true. “Perhaps we shall.”
Chapter 26
“You’re going to get us arrested,” muttered Tom.
“Doubt it.” Rob swung down from the saddle of his horse and handed the reins to his brother. “But if you’re afraid...”
“Not a bit.” Tom snatched the reins. He already held the lead rope of the third horse, a spirited mare who wanted to run. She pranced impatiently from side to side, and Rob paused to run his hand down her neck. She butted her nose into his shoulder, and he obliged by handing over a carrot from his pocket.
“Go on, then,” growled Tom, staring straight ahead. “Before I get marked a horse thief.”
Rob made a rude gesture as he strode away, around the corner and down Mortimer Street. He ducked into the stable yard and let himself through the wooden gate into the garden of Georgiana’s house, still dark and silent.
She’d said her room was at the back, where it was easy to sneak out. Rob meant to be respectable, but that bit of knowledge was too enticing to ignore. Respectable meant a sedate walk in the park, a cup of cold tea, a dance now and then. That wasn’t enough for him, and he thought Georgiana craved more excitement, too. He bent and scooped up some gravel, then counted the windows and threw one pebble.
It plinked off the glass, loud in the quiet. A dog barked somewhere, making him start, but he threw another pebble, and then a third.
Just as he was starting to count the windows again, afraid he’d chosen the wrong one, a face appeared. There was just enough light for him to make out her astonished expression as she opened the window.
“What are you doing?” she whispered.
He grinned. Her hair was down, and her nightdress had slid off one shoulder. What he wouldn’t give to climb up that drainpipe and crawl through the window... “Come ride with me.”
“It’s dark!”
“Best time to ride flat-out.” He opened his arms. “Will you?”
She stared, then she smiled, then she nodded. The window slid quietly shut, and he retreated to the shadows to wait.
When she finally slipped from the back of the house, his heart took a leap. She wore a riding habit, but her hair swung down her back in a long braid. “What are you doing here?” she whispered as she reached him, still buttoning her jacket.
In reply he cupped her face in one hand and kissed her. Her arms went around his neck and he lifted her against him, inhaling the scent of her hair and skin as he ravished her mouth. “Good morning,” he breathed.
“A very good morning to you, too.” Her head fell back as he nipped at her earlobe. “How did you know—?”
“You said your room was at the back, where it was easier to sneak out.” He winked. “Seemed a shame to let that go to waste.”
Her eyes sparkled. “It is. But where are the horses?”
“This way.” Her hand in his, he led the way through the stable yard and back into Mortimer Street. The clopping of hooves led them around the corner, where Tom was walking the horses up and down. He handed over the mare’s rope without a word.
“This is Artemis.” He checked the mare’s girth. “She likes to run.”
“She’s beautiful,” Georgiana said on a moan of delight. She stroked Artemis’s soft nose before letting Rob toss her into the saddle. “Whose is she?”
“My mother’s. Damned good luck she left the horse in London.”
“Will your mother be upset that I rode her?”
Rob snorted, adjusting her stirrup. “Not a bit. Artemis needs the exercise, if anything.” He took hold of her boot and nestled it into the stirrup. His hand lingered around her ankle. “You don’t mind, do you?”
She grinned. “You know I don’t.”
