Page 80 of No Ordinary Lady

But he wasn’t sure yet if that was what Marian could be to him, so he held his tongue for now. “Where is she, please?”

“For heaven’s sake, she’s probably with my mother at this hour, or she might have gone out to the grotto to bathe. I’ve heard she’s like a duckling in that respect,” Mother warned.

“A duck?” he echoed, but brightened at this news. His favorite place was the grotto, and to have Marian like it too was an unexpected boon.

“What is it about her that holds your interest, son? You act like a jealous lover and now demand to know where Marian is, as if she belongs to you?”

Daniel thought for a moment. “Marian has always made me feel good about myself.”

“Or it could just be lust,” Mother suggested, and then burst out laughing when he gaped at her. “Oh, you remind me so much of your father when he was courting me, it’s almost painful to watch again. I knew what he wanted from me, but it took a while for him to pluck up the courage. I loved your father from the moment we met. That need for Marian that you’re trying to deny will only grow stronger.” Mother leaned toward him. “You’re in love, my dear boy.”

Daniel gulped because his mother was rarely wrong. He might have committed violence on Mother, or her room, if she had tried to keep him and Marian apart.

“Mother, if you will excuse me, there’s somewhere I need to be.”

She turned back to her mirror. “Of course, Danny. I’ll always be here to guide you,” she murmured. “No matter what happens.”

And for a change, her promise comforted Daniel a great deal.

He hurried out of the bedchamber and headed for Granny’s room—only to come to an immediate halt and spin back to stare at his mother’s door.

Mother had called him Danny.

She never did that, but Granny did, and so did Marian.

It had been Scarsdale this, and my lord that, and nothing less for years and years since he’d inherited. But today, Mama had spoken to him with affection, and even laughed in his presence.

A smile broke over his face, beyond his power to control. What on earth had occurred last night between Marian and Mama to bring about such a change of heart?

He had to find out, and he quickened his steps.

Granny was more than happy to confess that Marian had gone for a dip in the grotto. Her knowing smile made him blush, and he hurried after Marian with a spring in his step.

Daniel heard splashing well before he saw the slender form frolicking in the water alone. He breathed a sigh of relief. Everything was right again.

He desperately wanted to talk to Marian about what had gone on last night, and everything else. Although she seemed no worse for wear, she had lied about her entrapment, and he wanted to know why she would.

He walked to the edge of the pool as Marian ducked her head under the sparkling water. Having her out of sight was only a temporary obstacle. She had to come up eventually for air, and then they would speak. They were always at their most honest when they were entirely alone.

He stood beside the pool and then turned for the bench. He removed his coat and waistcoat and placed them beside Marian’s clothes, and then sat to remove his boots.

Marian surfaced only to float, obviously naked from top to bottom, in the exact center of the steaming pool, seemingly unaware of his presence.

Her pert nipples suggested she was in the much cooler part of the pool since they peaked just above the waterline invitingly.

He yearned for a taste of them, and another kiss from the vexing woman, too. How could he have nearly let this woman slip through his fingers? How could he not have recognized the love of his life when Marian had first appeared, wearing his promise ring, and when she had so much trouble giving it back to him?

He cleared his throat, but Marian didn’t hear him.

He skirted around the water’s edge, trying to catch her notice.

Her eyes remained stubbornly closed, and he set his hands on his hips, irritated with her for unwittingly playing hard to get. Was he going to jump into the water just to speak with her?

Instead, he leaned down and flicked water over her face.

She spluttered, thrashed about as she wiped it away before looking around at him. “That was mean.”

“I don’t like to be ignored.”