Page 75 of The Duke of a Thousand Desires

Simon’s groom had knelt to assess Radnor’s hoof. Distraught, Ravenna dismounted and walked forward, straight into her husband’s powerful arms. She vented a sigh of relief.

“I allow you out of my view for a moment and discover you have drawn a crowd.” His tone was lighthearted, the disquiet in his voice as he studied her from head to toe was not. “What is it?”

“I don’t know yet,” she said. “But seven attendants for a ride around Rotten Row? Was this parade necessary?” She took a breath. “The horse isn’t in pain?”

“He doesn’t appear to be.”

One of the grooms approached Simon. “The gelding took a stone in his hoof, your grace. I don’t see any other defects. The veterinarian has been summoned to meet us at the house. Shall we fetch the carriage so that you can continue your afternoon?”

“We’ll visit the park another day,” Ravenna said, handing the reins to the undergroom.

“We will ride home on my mount,” Simon said. “He’s huge, but great horses do not unnerve you as I recall.”

“Great men do,” she murmured.

He locked his hands together to form a step to lift her onto his unmoving Arab. He vaulted up behind her. She placed her hands primly on the cantle. Simon secured his arm beneath her ribs, not prim at all.

“We could wait for the carriage,” she said, settling against the muscular wall of his body.

“Do you mind riding with me?”

“It’s nice enough.”

“Nice? It feels perfect.” He wrapped his arm around her waist, positioning her securely between his thighs.

She smiled to herself. “You should have heard me defending your sinful nature a minute ago. The day is ruined. We’ll have to send word to Jane and Chloe at the park so they won’t worry. Do you think this accident is suspicious?”

“It might be.”

“A stone, Simon. Shouldn’t we assume it was bad luck and nothing more ominous?”

“It was good luck you weren’t hurt in a spill,” he said. “A duchess doesn’t fall off her horse every day.”

“I did not fall.” At least not off her horse. It was increasingly clear, however, that she was falling in love with her husband. Had it happened over the last few weeks or had the charismatic devil stolen her heart years ago? It was too late to matter. He was stoic, practical, and strong. She wasn’t sure she would change anything even if she could. To be honest, if she had known in the past what she knew of him now, she might have chased him to the altar.

There wereno wings to connect the main body of Simon’s house to the stables. He had considered the walk between buildings a mere inconvenience before his marriage. Now he had a wife to worry over. He disliked the idea of her traipsing back and forth in a dark passageway to visit her horse.

Still, he could not chain her to his side, even as an excuse to keep her safe. She had won over his staff. Indeed, the servants had become complicit in his love for her, as indicated by the offerings of fruit and strength-giving cordials they considerately placed about the ducal suite and drawing rooms.

He made his way to Radnor’s stall. The head groom loomed in his path, swinging a lantern. “Sorry, your grace. It is late. The duchess was here but an hour ago.”

“How is Radnor?”

“In top form. Just a pebble or torn bit of paper in the frog. Wedged in tight, but at least he didn’t pick up a nail or suffer a coffin fracture. The surgeon cleaned his hooves with turpentine.”

Simon admired the horse’s sleek lines in the wavering light. “You’re a good man, Elwood. It is immaculate in here, quiet as always.”

Elwood’s forehead wrinkled. “Have I been remiss in any duty?”

“Never. I am curious, though. Could a person sneak into one of the boxes unnoticed?”

“Not without disturbing the horses. Or one of the undergrooms for that matter. I recognize unfamiliar sounds. For example -- ” He cleared his voice. “Her grace is outside the door.”

Simon wheeled.

Ravenna entered the stable, moving confidently despite the darkness. She wore an emerald silk robe over her nightrail, which she raised delicately from the straw as she advanced on Simon. “I thought I’d find you here,” she said in approval.

“I knew you’d come again before you retired.”