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Yes. This might just be the opportunity he’d been seeking.

He’dhave to put his best foot forward and call upon every social skill he possessed in the meanwhile—which, to his chagrin, weren’t well rehearsed or numerous. ForGod’s sake, his jaw already ached from the effort not to scowl and to keep his mouth turned upward, if not precisely in a smile, at least not an intimidating frown.

Thisholiday might prove to be quite profitable after all.

Ahorse nickered in a nearby stall, and another stamped its feet. Somewhere above them, a cat yowled, and another hissed.

Altheliaproceeded to pick up and kiss each of the creamy pups, just now beginning to form spots on their silky pelts. A tender smile arching her dewy cupid’s bow mouth, she held up the smallest before her face, a little female.

“I mean to make her my very own, though I haven’t named the precious darling yet. She’ll be my travel companion.” She paused and glanced upward, worry creasing her smooth forehead and the corners of her expressive eyes. “You mustn’t tell anyone. I haven’t asked permission about the pup or traveling. Please promise me.”

Oddlytouched that she’d shared those confidences with him, a complete stranger, and trusted him to keep her secrets, Owen crossed an arm over his chest solemnly as if taking an oath. “I shan’t breathe a word. I swear it on my honor.”

“Hmm. I think perhaps that you mock me, Mr. Lockington.” Nevertheless, Althelia busied herself, stuffing an old blanket into the crack the pup had wedged itself in. “Do you make a habit of venturing into stables?”

Theunspoken question was whether Owen had permission to be here.

“Leonidas said I might.” Owen stepped from the enclosure. “He knows I have a great fondness for horseflesh.”

Stillcrouched, she tilted her head and grinned, and so help him God, Owen swore the radiance of her unfettered smile lit the stables with the incandescence of a hundred candles.

“Would you believe, Mr. Lockington, that I used to be afraid of horses? Of course, as every proper English girl is required to do, I learned to ride. However, I didn’t learn to enjoy riding until I went to America and discovered riding astride. NowI feel deprived if I don’t take to the saddle every morn.”

Didshe ride astride?

Thatexplained the trousers molded to her shapely legs and behind.

’Twas a wonder the duke and duchess permitted her that breach of decorum.

Mayhap, their graces were cut from a different mold than other aristocrats, after all.

Altheliawasn’t the prim, proper, hoity-toity duke’s daughter Owen had expected. Something about her beckoned to him on a level he neither understood nor wanted to examine. He couldn’t put his finger on what it was, but there was a genuineness, a refreshing unpretentiousness about her wrapped in a bold, appealing, pleasantly curved, feminine bundle.

Again, he reminded himself it did not matter.

Shewas the privileged, pampered, dowered daughter of an influential duke.

Hewas the by-blow of a lustful earl.

Theirpaths should never have crossed, and Owen was too far beneath her to entertain vain imaginations. Besides, it wasn’t his nature to, and he sure as Hades wasn’t about to start now.

“There, Inez. Your puppies should be safe now.” Althelia stood and brushed her hands together, indecision etched upon her features. An attractive smattering of freckles across her pert nose and sculpted ivory cheeks suggested she didn’t always don a bonnet.

Owenrather liked that.

Sherubbed beneath her nose, leaving a smudge of dirt as she stepped from the stall and secured the door.

Hechecked the spontaneous grin that tried to kick his lips upward.

“You’ve a bit of dirt, just here.” He pointed to the area on his face.

Shewiped above her lip with her hand. “Is it gone?”

Henodded.

“We just acquired a new mount. A seven-year-old gelding.” Althelia veered him a sideways glance, half shy and half uncertain. “I think you would like Sampson. Would you like to meet him?”

Itwasn’t appropriate for Owen and Althelia to be alone. The animals hardly counted as proper chaperones. Though caution raised her head and hesitation sluiced through him, he extended an arm.