An unexpected rush of lust hit him. Stunned him.Irritatedhim.
Rebecca’s gaze landed on him as if she could see into his mind, and the shift in the air turned palpable.
Sebastian raised the trap and barked at Daniel to stop at the first convenient place for the group to stretch their legs. He needed to breathe something other than her, even if no one else did.
Within a half hour Daniel located a wooded picturesque setting along the River Dever just north of Sutton Scotney. The area was flat and green and, most importantly, quiet.
Sebastian shooed everyone from the carriage, then gently lifted the shivering dog, cognizant of the speak-less Percy’s intensive gaze searing him between the shoulder blades. He set the mongrel on the ground. “Walk about your business and see if he follows,” Sebastian told him.
Peter took his brother’s arm and led him a short distance away before stopping. The two of them lowered to the ground, glancing back with hopeful eyes and held breaths to see if their new charge would trust them enough to follow.
Sebastian was surprised to find his own breath suspended, hoping for the same. A solid three minutes must have passed before the dog sniffed the ground and worked his way to the boys. Not one person standing about made a sound, and when the dog reached the boys, its tail wagging slightly, there was a collective sigh of relief from Rebecca, her maid, and Daniel.
“Daniel, retrieve the basket and scout about a place for us to sit.”
His words jarred Lady Rebecca into action. “Serena, watch the boys. I’ll call you when we’re ready to eat.”
Serena eyed the dog with a wary gaze. “Yes, my lady.”
Sebastian took Lady Rebecca’s arm and tucked it into his own. “The children will be fine,” he told her when she started to balk. He had no intention of allowing her to escape the scolding he hadn’t yet dished out. Someone needed to point out the danger she’d put herself in. His risk averse nature refused to allow him to let bygones go. “You put yourself in grave danger at the Flower’s Bottom, Lady Rebecca. It was quite the spectacle. That is unacceptable.”
She sputtered, speechless. It was quite a sight, and Sebastian found himself momentarily distracted by her full lips and flashing eyes. This was not a woman who took reprimanding lightly. She was a blasted danger to herselfandher children.
“That man was twice your size,” he went on. “He must have weighed nineteen stone.” Sebastian shuddered thinking of what could have happened had he not followed her into the stable yard. “You will not put yourself in such a situation again.”
She jerked her arm from his and faced him with all the fury of an errant child who’d never once been called on her bad conduct. Her own children showed better sense. “You”—she poked him in the chest—“sir, arenotmy father. Nor will you treat me as such.” She kept her voice low.
His gaze fastened on her lips. No, hewas nother father. And no, he hadn’t the slightest inclination to treat her so. He took a single step toward her. His hands molded to her arms and pulled her into his chest. “Rebecca,” he whispered. “Don’t you realize what could have happened?”
Her shock left her mouth hanging open and proved too irresistible to avoid.
His mouth slid over hers in a succulent kiss that stole his own breath. Moist and sweet and intoxicating. This was an egregious error, but he couldn’t seem to stop. Her sudden pliancy contradicted the Amazonia side of her nature. The warrior had slipped from the foreground, leaving all woman in his arms as her lips conformed to his. She should be cutting out his heart, fighting him with every arsenal she possessed. Of which were many, he would wager.
Instead, her body softened against him, drawing out a tenderness he hadn’t utilized in an age. The scent of lavender assailed his nostrils. Yet, not completely disguising the tartness that was all her. Her fingers crept up and clutched the hair at his collar and he deepened the kiss. His tongue stroking hers that was velvet soft and so responsive. The afternoon along with his precious time faded away.
Sebastian drew back to catch his breath and found himself drowning in the limpid pools of her green-gold eyes. He was consumed with a desire so intense, his brain swerved down a path he couldn’t unsee. He couldn’t believe the notion hadn’t occurred to him before now. Rebecca was no longer a child. She was a woman grown. Not some virginal debutante looking to marry—not with two boys practically ready for Eton.
Why shouldn’t they engage in a discreet affair that would hurt neither of them? It was a brilliant idea.
Her sharp gasp startled him out of his stupor. His hands dropped from her arms. He was mortified at his shocking lack of etiquette. He glanced about and saw the twins and the maid walking gingerly along to accommodate the dog’s slow gait. Slowly inhaling, he rubbed a palm over his face. Thankfully, they hadn’t noticed.
“Was that my punishment for standing up to that blackguard in the Flowers’ Bottom stable yard?” He could tell she wanted to be furious with him for kissing her, but her whispery tones came out gasping. Nothing like the tyrant she’d confronted on Percy’s behalf.The warrior.
“Punishment?”
She reminded him ofInanna. The epitome of feminine strength, sovereignty, power. The story that came to mind was one where Inanna arrived at the gates to the underworld, demanded to be admitted then threatening to destroy the gate should she be refused. Yes, Inanna described Rebecca in a way mere words could not. Larger than life. Fierce. Independent. Free.
Yet, Rebecca was slender, almost athletic in build with small breasts and small waist. She barely reached his shoulder in height. Nothing resembling the current fashion of the lush, voluptuous, title hungry women to which he was accustomed to fending off—title hungry… The familiar tension tightened his jaw, pinched his shoulders.Hadn’t her hands stolen up his chest? Perhaps she was resorting to her old tricks.
He abhorred this sense of uncertainty. He drew himself in and up. There would be no discreet affair or otherwise. He refused to be beholden to unruly emotions and stepped back. “How subtle and scheming of you, my dear.”
The wrinkle appeared between her brows. The one he found engaging, unassuming. Honest and curious. Damn if he didn’t want to pull her back into his arms. There was passion in this woman. Untapped passion. How could that be? She had children. Perhaps the passion was not so untapped. “I don’t understand.”
“You require a husband, do you not?”
“A husband?” The sheer surprise on her face was an encouraging sign. And should have warned him. “You think I wish to… tomarry.You?”
He couldn’t believe how insulted she sounded. “Iama duke,” he said, affronted.
