“Mr. Clancy is not with you in Town?”
Though his home was on the outer edges of London, he didn’t consider it quite in Town, but as the city continued to grow, he had no doubt it would be soon. “No, he says travelling causes his bones to rattle, and as he is so valuable to me at Ravenridge, I do not insist.”
She nodded in understanding. “You are very kind. I agree that a man of Mr. Clancy’s talents should be accommodated.”
Pleased she felt as he did, he offered her his arm. “Would you like to see your surprise?” Anticipating her reaction, he couldn’t wait to bring her inside.
“I would indeed. Lead on.” Her emerald eyes sparkled with excitement, making him wish he could fulfill her every wish.
Forcing himself to look away, he led her into the stable.
“My surprise is in here?” She looked about the eight-stall building. “Quite an unusual place to keep a gift. Perhaps you are going to show me how to do something?”
At the seductive tone of her voice, his body reacted. That made no sense. Mariel knew naught of such things, even if she’d been married. He must stop thinking of her in that way.
He halted before a stall. “I purchased him for you as I could not imagine anyone else who could help him flourish.” He held his hand out toward Hector, who stood at the back of the enclosure watching them, much like he had at Tattersall’s.
Her eyes rounded as she viewed the horse then turned to him, her smile wide. “I can’t believe it. Thank you. He is the most wonderful gift I’ve ever received.” Rising on her toes, she took his head in her hands and pressed a chaste kiss on his lips before turning back toward Hector.
Her reaction was more than he’d hoped and had his heart tightening. He wanted to give her far more than simply a damaged horse, and yet she claimed it to be her best gift. Suddenly, he wanted to give her the necklace back that she’d thrown to the ground only two months earlier. But it wouldn’t be right, knowing she was destined for a better life without him.
So focused on his own thoughts, he missed her entrance into the stall. She approached the horse slowly.
“He is not combative, just scared. He shakes when people come near.” He remained outside the stall, wanting her to be the person Hector saw as his savior.
Mariel didn’t respond to him, continuing to walk toward the now shaking horse. “Now, Hector. There is no need to be afraid. You and I will be fast friends soon. I hope you will shake with excitement knowing we are about to gallop across the fields of Thornhill. I have a pretty mare that I think you would like very much.”
Her quiet voice was soothing, but the horse continued to shake. It was so obvious that even his own groomsmen had noticed it.
She now stood next to Hector and held her hand out near his nose, but not quite close enough that he could smell it. Curiosity must have got the better of fear as he turned his head to sniff at her.
“I want you to always remember my scent.” The voice remained soothing. “Then you’ll know you’re safe and loved.”
Holding on to the stall gate, he found himself gripping it hard as he watched Mariel in her element. Right now, he wanted more than anything to simply take her as his wife and love her as much as he was capable. She already had his heart. And there was the rub. Because he loved her, he couldn’t take away her dream of having a family. She would no doubt insist on her children sitting at the table with her as opposed to in the nursery like her own mother had. He wanted that. He wanted her.
He forced himself to let go of the bars and step back. As much as he wished it, he could not allow it. Maybe he should stop torturing himself and have her call off the betrothal this week.
“You are such a handsome horse. These scars just prove you are strong and a survivor. To me it makes you noble and I can only hope to be worthy of you.”
He watched as she gently laid her hand against the horse’s neck, her very words making it hard for him to swallow. It was as if she spoke to him.
The horse stepped back, and she dropped her hand. “I understand. Thank you for meeting me. I will see you again soon.”
As she slowly walked toward the gate, he called himself a fool, much like the horse who was still wary. But unlike the horse, he understood where Mariel belonged.
Unlatching the gate, she slipped out and closed it. “I will see you soon, Hector.”
The horse’s ear twitched at the sound of his name, but otherwise remained where he was, though he no longer shook. Why did he feel like he was Hector?
Mariel strolled toward him, but didn’t stop a few feet away. Instead, she looped her arms around his neck and pressed her body against him. “I want to thank you properly.”
What he should do is set her back from him, but he was a man. He was weak and he was in love with her. Unable to stop himself, he wrapped her in his arms and lowered his head, powerless to resist the call of her lips.
As his mouth covered hers, she opened and her tongue thrust forward to tangle with his. Her uncharacteristic actions made him curious, and he allowed her free rein to explore. Being passive was not his strong suit, yet as his body reacted to her assertiveness, he didn’t take control. But he couldn’t help cupping her arse to press her closer.
When she broke the kiss, he loosened his hold, though he wanted far more. She pulled her hands down and he dropped his arms only to find her unbuttoning his tailcoat. He should stop her, but it was so unlike Mariel that he stood frozen in place. She pushed the coat from his shoulders and dropped it over the stall wall.
“Mariel, what are you about?” He kept his voice low, so as not to startle her.
