“Indeed…”
“Take care, my Lady…”
The well wishes flowed freely as Jeremy and Trick formed a kind of chair with their arms, clasping hands and letting Adalyn sit on them. She placed her arms around each man and held on as they started off, slowly walking back down the lane.
All were silent for the first few minutes, until the field was well behind them and the farmers out of earshot.
“Well,” said Adalyn, trying to hide a grin. “Do you think it worked? Was it dramatic enough for you, Jeremy?”
“You were perfect, Adalyn,” he chuckled.
“Scared me half to death, Adalyn,” added Trick. “And I knew it wasn’t real.”
“My trusty sedan chair,” she settled herself more comfortably. “I have to confess that this is not the most unpleasant way to travel.”
“I could carry you,” said Trick. “It would serve as well as this…”
“That would be my job, Adalyn. Trick is more used to horses than ladies.”
“With me, they learn the best way to derive pleasure from the ride, you know…” Trick’s grin was pure sensual mischief.
“But I find being ridden just as pleasurable,” retorted Jeremy. “Putting a lady on top? There’s nothing quite like it.”
Adalyn found herself breathing rapidly as Jeremy and Trick goaded each other with ripostes that became increasingly ribald. Her mind drifted to the firm shoulders beneath her hands and she shocked herself by wondering what it would be like to have them both. Together. Withher.
She struggled to maintain her balance as her thoughts wandered into uncharted and erotic territory, so much so that she nearly fell off when they reached the bottom of the front steps to Wolfbridge.
Giles was there, of course, with the door wide open awaiting her return.
“The plan worked?” He hurried down to Adalyn.
“Exactly as we anticipated,” she nodded.
“Come then.” He lifted her from Jeremy and Trick’s improvised transportation. “Let’s get you inside and into the Rose room with as much fuss as we can. There are one or two maids still finishing up and we need their story to back up the farmers’.”
Settling comfortably into Giles’s arms, she nodded. “Thank you Jeremy. Trick. I think we have all accomplished what we set out to do.”
Trick walked back down the stairs. He would return to the horse field and if he saw any lingerers, he’d share the broken heel story with them. “Rest up now, my Lady,” he called loudly. “No weight on that ankle.”
She waved in reply and let Giles take her inside.
Jeremy followed, slipping into his worried footman pose and scurrying around to make the path to the Rose room as easy as possible for Giles and his precious burden.
Adalyn leaned into Giles’s chest, sighing with pleasure. “Are you all right?” He whispered as he glanced down at her. She gave him a quick warm smile. “Oh yes. Very.”
Daringly, he winked. “Here we are, my Lady.” The overstuffed chair by the fire was the obvious place for a lady with a broken ankle. “Now, let Jeremy here take a look at your injury.”
There was a tiny noise outside the door, and she guessed whoever was there listened to the conversation. So as Jeremy began to untie the laces on her damaged boot, she managed a quick sound of pain.
“My Lady,” said Jeremy, also a bit louder than usual. “I am sorry. Did I hurt you? I must remove your boot…”
“No…no,” she said plaintively, managing a little quiver. “It is tender though. My fault entirely.”
Giles leaned over. “There is some swelling, there,” he said, his voice firm. “I shall fetch tea, Ma’am, and perhaps some cold cloths will help.”
“That would be lovely, Giles, thank you.” Adalyn allowed her voice to fade away, in contrast to the wide smile crossing her face at the play-acting.
“Now, my Lady, let’s see if we can make you more comfortable.”
