His taunt hit its mark. “I have no need to brag over my accomplishments, your Grace, nor do I willingly seek to incite your anger. However I will say that my skill in the saddle has never been tested, as I have never felt the need to do so.” Turning Posy before he stopped her, she headed quickly back down the hill. Eva had all but called him an arrogant braggart and had no wish to wait about for his reply.
Tibbs waited for them as they entered the stables. Stopping before him, she then kicked her feet from the stirrups and prepared to dismount, but again, the duke was there and reached for her. Her heart thumped painfully as he lifted her off Posy and placed her gently on the ground before him.
“We will address the matter of your recklessness another time, Duchess.”
That made her chin lift. “I was not reckless. Now please excuse me, your Grace.”
He didn’t release her immediately, but pulled her closer.
“Wh-what are you doing?”
He kissed her, just a soft brushing of his lips over hers, and then he pulled back, leaving her breathless.
“We will also address who is the better rider when time allows us to do so, Duchess, and I will add, once again, that you are under no threat from me and that I would never use force against you.”
“I…I must go.”
He released her and Eva tried to walk calmly from the stables when inside, her heart fluttered and her skin felt warm and all she wanted to do was run away from the large, disturbing male behind her.
She tried to push the memory of the kiss aside as she entered the house.
Why had he kissed her?
“Good morning, your Grace.”
“Good morning, Molly,” Eva greeted her maid as she walked into her room.
“Your bath is ready.”
“Thank you,” Eva said beginning to pull off her clothes.
Why had he kissed her?
Thoughts tumbled through her head as Molly assisted her to bathe and dress and she was still consumed with the kiss minutes later as she made her way to the breakfast parlor.
Lord Kelkirk was already seated when she arrived.
“Good morning, your Grace.”
“Good morning, my Lord.” Eva waved for him to reseat himself as she took the chair opposite him. He, like her husband, was dressed immaculately.
Eva had never entertained guests at her breakfast table, especially a man she hardly knew. What should she say?
“I had a very sound sleep, I don’t mind telling you, your Grace, and woke with a foggy head, however a cup of fortifying tea and one of Mrs. Stimpel’s substantial breakfasts should rectify that,” Lord Kelkirk said.
Eva looked at the many silver covered dishes on the sideboard and thought that Mrs Stimpel must be very happy with men to cook for again.
“May I recommend the grilled trout with white butter sauce, your Grace? Mrs. Stimpel does it better than anyone.”
Eva couldn’t quite hide the shudder at the thought of trout for breakfast.
“I tend to go for rolls and honey, my Lord.”
“Good God, really? How do you keep body and soul together on that?”
She laughed at his horrified expression. Then, rising, she began to fill her plate. She still struggled to know that someone else had prepared all this for her when for years it had been she doing the preparing.
“I have the feeling nobility hold quite a lot of importance in food, Lord Kelkirk. In fact, my cook nearly took to her bed when I told her I liked simple food when first I arrived at Stratton.”
