Page 25 of The New Earl’s Convenient Wife

A shadow crossed her face. ‘Do you love them?’ she said, an odd note in her voice. Then, her expression clearing, she said, ‘I came here not just for the creatures I might encounter. Do you not feel it, sitting here, that sense of freedom? Sweeping views from the fells to the lake to the fields of bracken and the woods beyond! As if one could wave a magic wand and be master of the world!’

If that was how this view made her feel, no wonder, with her family struggles, that she slipped away here as often as she could.

‘Except that you truly are,’ she said, turning to him before he could reply. ‘Earl of Thornthwaite, master of most of what can be seen from here.’

‘Which inspires not the lightness of freedom, but the burden of responsibility,’ he replied wryly.

‘Oh, but you mustn’t see it like that. Think rather of the opportunities! To help tenants, improve the land and protect all who live upon it. Ian would have been an indifferent steward. But you, with what you’ve seen of the world, what your life as a soldier has taught you, will be capable of so much more. Sterling sees this, the tenants do, and I certainly believe it.’

He looked at her ardent face. Knowing she gave her honest opinion, with no thought of flattery or attempt to manipulate with praise, humbled him. ‘I only hope I prove worthy of your confidence.’

‘Oh, there will be mistakes and setbacks along the way, I’m sure. Nothing in life is perfect. But you have the vision, the strength and the desire to protect this. And you will.’

Despite their stone shelter, just then a particularly robust gust of wind buffeted them, making her stumble against him. He reached out to steady her…then drew her close, cradling her against his chest. ‘You are so good for me,’ he whispered into her hair.

Lacing her arms around his neck, she leaned up and kissed him, long and slow and deep.

His body responding instantly, he hugged her closer, his tongue teasing hers, letting her explore his mouth, nipping at her lips while he moved his hands down to cup her bottom and pull her against his burgeoning hardness.

Her wildness firing his in this wild and stormy place, he wasn’t sure how far he would have gone had not a piercing whistle penetrated the fog of desire. Breaking the kiss, he heard a loud ‘halloo’ before, a moment later, Sterling strode into view.

Half relieved, mostly frustrated, he gently distanced himself from Juliana and turned to greet the estate manager.

‘So sorry to interrupt, my lord. Farmer Russell told me you’d climbed up here. Magnificent view, isn’t it? A problem has developed on one of the farms. I’d appreciate it if you’d ride with me there, so we may settle the matter.’

‘You go on,’ Juliana said. ‘I should get back, see to dinner and other pressing household matters.’

‘I don’t want you riding back alone,’ he objected.

‘I’ll be fine. I grew up roaming these woods and fells, remember. Starlight is both sure-footed and docile; she’ll not run away with me or toss me into a hedgerow. Go on now, or you’ll not be back to Thorne Hall in time to dine.’

‘Even Starlight might cast a shoe or stumble over rocks,’ Rafe objected.

‘Jemmy, Russell’s lad, could take a pony and ride back with her,’ Sterling said.

‘I’m sure Jemmy has chores to do,’ Juliana objected. ‘He doesn’t need to waste his time riding all the way to Thorne Hall.’

‘Perhaps just to the bracken meadows, then,’ Sterling suggested. ‘Once off the fells, the ground isn’t as rocky and treacherous.’

‘Starlight and I can find our way home from there with little chance of mishap. So—to the bracken, if you insist, though it’s really not necessary.’

‘Very well, only to the meadows. But be careful the rest of the way! I don’t want to have to go out in the dark looking for a missing wife.’

Juliana rolled her eyes at him. ‘When I think of all the times I explored this land alone…’

‘Only because you succeeded in sneaking out and I covered for you,’ Rafe retorted.

Juliana chuckled. ‘Pax! Very well, an escort to the bracken fields…my lord and master,’ she added in a mock-obsequious tone, giving him an elaborate curtsey.

Rafe stifled a smile. ‘Careful, or I might have to dig out your old governess’s switch and apply punishment later.’

‘Ooh, that sounds promising,’ she murmured for his ears alone as she started back down the hill beside him.

The image her remark conjured—having her bent bare-bottomed over his knees—dried his mouth and set his body aflame, robbing him of any retort. Though he would rather kiss those soft mounds than paddle them… Might that be what she’d beguile him with tonight?

He’d dispose of whatever problem awaited him at the farm and return as quickly as possible to make sure there was no delay in serving dinner.

And then lead her to their bedchamber for another night of sensual discovery.