“It’s a competition, but with a twist.” She grinned. “We thought we would make it more interesting. The women will pair up with the men, then compete against their partner. Whoever wins gets a boon.”
He narrowed his gaze. “What kind of boon?”
“Whatever the lady,” she said, then coughed. “or well the man wishes from the loser. However, I must state it cannot be something that would be compromising. We’re not trying to force anyone into an unwanted marriage. This is all supposed to be fun.”
Maxwell grinned, then turned to Lyonsdale. “Go fetch the marquess. He’s going to participate.”
Lyonsdale lifted a brow. “Is he?”
“Yes,” Max said in a firm tone. “Then drag him over to his sister’s side. We’re going to form a partnership with those ladies.”
He nodded at Miss Adams and Lady Wyndam, then strode back over to Eden’s side. This was the best idea they had come up for them during this house party, and he fully intended to win. He had a boon in mind for Eden, and he wanted to claim in as soon as possible.
Eden stared at the bow in her hand. She had never particularly liked archery. She was a passable shot, but she’d never fully enjoyed the sport. Now she was going to participate in the game. Not because she wanted to. Not even because Roslyn wanted her to. No, she was going to nock her bow and take aim for one reason only. She’d been charmed into it by one Duke of Carrington.
They were doubled up, but in sets of three. She was shooting with the duke, Roslyn was with the Marquess of Crawford, and Lady Portia, the marquess’s sister, was with the Earl of Lyonsdale. They all gathered near their prospective targets. Eden was shooting first. She’d volunteered so she could get her shots off and be done. At least until the next round… She nocked her arrow on the bow and took a deep breath and raised it to aim at the target. After a few steadying breaths, she let the arrow loose. It flew toward the stacks of hay and landed a little below the mark. Not her best. If she had any hope of not owing the duke a boon, she’d have to do better.
“Not bad,” the duke said. She turned toward him and noticed the grin he couldn’t hide. Somehow she doubted he wanted to either.
She narrowed her gaze. “I suppose you think you can do better?”
He shrugged. “Love,” he began. “Archery is not what I’m good at.” Then he leaned a little closer until his heat enveloped her. His tone was husky as he spoke. “If you want, I can show you exactly where my talents lie.”
Eden closed her eyes and nearly moaned at his words. She was all too aware of where his talents did indeed lie. The last thing she needed was that kind of tutelage again. “So what you’re telling me?” she said in a smug tone. “Is that I have a chance of winning?”
His lips twitched. “Of course,” he told her. “Nothing is ever certain.”
She nodded. That was true. She could attest to that better than anyone. Life had a way of throwing a person through a loop when they least expected it. She thought she’d be married to the Earl of Moreland for the rest of her life. A fact she hadn’t been too happy about, but she never would have believed her husband would die so young. Fate was a funny thing, and now she had the enigmatic, gorgeous duke at her side. If she let herself wish, she’d wish for him. But that wasn’t her destiny, no matter how much she wanted it to be. “Then I do believe it is your turn, Your Grace.”
He leaned down and said. “All in good time, my lady.” The duke nodded toward the bow in her hand. “Let me help you.”
She lifted her brow. “You want me to shoot again?”
“Consider the first one,” he paused a moment and then said. “Practice shot. I would hate to win because you’re haven’t had ample time to hone your skill.”
What was he planning? “If you win, what boon will you ask for?”
She didn’t know what she wanted. No, that wasn’t true. Eden knew exactly what she wanted from him, but didn’t think she would ever dare to ask for it. She wanted him to kiss her. Kiss her like he had that night and remind her what true passion could be if she let herself go.
He nodded toward the bow. “Lift it up.”
It didn’t escape her notice he didn’t tell her what he hoped to gain from her. She did as he asked. He came to stand behind her and helped her adjust the bow, then leaned down a little. “Do you see how it lines up?”
Eden nodded. She couldn’t speak now if she wanted to. Having him so close brought all her memories to the surface. Her stomach rolled with so much desire it nearly consumed her.
“Good,” he said. His mouth was so close to her ear she could feel his breaths wash across her skin with each word he spoke. “Now take a deep breath and blow it out slowly.”
Eden did as he instructed. It didn’t help. All she wanted to do was drop the bow, turn into him, throw her arms around his neck, and demand that he kiss her. “Take one again,” he told her. She could barely concentrate with him brushing up against her. Eden could feel every hard inch of him. She wanted to groan and push against him. “When you let out your breath, release the arrow.” She did as he instructed. Not because she’d heard him, but because it was an instinctual thing. She let the arrow fly, and it hit the target as if she had actually aimed for it. That hadn’t been what had happened at all. Apparently, providence was indeed on her side, after all.
“Perfect,” he said. She glanced up at him and she had a feeling he wasn’t talking about her shot at all. His gaze was heated and hadn’t looked anywhere near the target. His full attention was on one thing, and one thing alone. Her. It was a heady thing and stole her breath. She had to put some distance between them, and fast.
Otherwise, she might start a scandal. One that she wouldn’t be able to brush aside and move through society with… One she desperately wanted to succumb to, regardless of the consequences. With great strength of will, she stepped away from him and said, “Now it is your turn, Your Grace.”
She walked over to Roslyn and Portia and stood with them. Eden would have to settle for watching the duke. Being so close to him was a temptation she could not afford to give in to.
Ten
Eden had decided to go riding. By herself. That is, without anyone around to distract her. Especially one seductive duke that made her burn from the inside out, and that was without him touching her. If he did… She closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. One touch from that man made her want things she had no right to. But oh, how she wished she did…
