Page 17 of Seducing the Marquess (Lords and Ladies in Love 1)

Eugenia raised her hand and pointed toward the wardrobe. “Over there.”

“Oh.”

She pulled herself together quicker than he, and backed away until she was near the wardrobe, then opened the door and rummaged through an assortment of garments.

He used the time to get himself under control. This was his wife he was drooling over. Next he would need to take out his handkerchief and wipe his mouth like a babe. She returned with a deep violet riding habit with black trim on the bodice and sleeves.

Devon closed his eyes and moaned inwardly at the sight of her luscious breasts rising above the top of her corset, low enough that a strong breath would release her nipples. Afraid to touch her, lest he lose the little bit of control he had left, he twirled his finger in the air as a gesture for her to turn around. With swift movements born of desperation, he dropped the garment over her head, then fastened the clasps and backed away.

“If you will wait for me downstairs, I will summon Jake, who should have my trunk unloaded from the carriage by now.” He strode from the room, not even granting her the courtesy of a nod. He had to get away from her as quickly as possible before he did something he would no doubt later regret.

“Jake!” He thundered, as his valet directed a footman to carry the trunk. “I will show you to our room.” Turning on his heel, he hurried back up the stairs, meeting Eugenia on her way down, drawing on black kid gloves. She smiled at him.

“I will wait for you in the drawing room, my lord. I must summon a maid to fetch the picnic basket from Cook.”

“Yes. Yes. That sounds perfect.” He continued on up, anxious to change into his riding clothes and move outdoors where the cool air and other distractions would work to settle him down. And allow his blood to flow back to his brain.

Devon managed to change clothes quickly and was soon headed to the drawing room. Eugenia sat on a settee, a picnic basket at her feet. Her back straight, her head held high, her hands folded neatly in her lap. He breathed a sigh of relief at the familiarity of her stance.

“Are you ready, my dear?” He strolled toward her and extended his arm. He felt more in control of his body. Here was sweet little Eugenia, the woman he had married to share his life and raise children with. She was a respectable and proper lady, and he was grateful every day that she had accepted his hand. All those lustful thoughts from before were shoved to the back of his mind.

“I am.” Eugenia stood and took his arm as he reached for the picnic basket.

Chapter Five

“Always consider the aphrodisiac effects of food when planning a tête-á-tête.”

Secrets of the Bedchamber, p. 17

The wind whipped through Eugenia’s hair as she and Devon raced along, releasing the bun Sally had so expertly fixed that morning. Once Devon had escaped their bedroom after helping her with her riding habit, she had tried to anchor her hat, but apparently had not done a good enough job since the silly little thing just flew off her head.

Exhilarated by the ride, the warm sun on her back, and Devon by her side, she felt young free, and reckless. Noticing a hedge about a half a mile in front of them, she lowered her head and urged her mare on.

“Be careful, Eugenia.” Devon’s warning only made her want to take the jump more. She’d been doing so many things differently since she’d read the book that in some ways she felt as though she’d been let free from her self-imposed cage.

“Eugenia, I think this is not a good idea.” Devon shouted over the thundering of the horse’s hooves as he raced alongside her, his frantic glance going back and forth between her and the hedge.

Ignoring him, she leaned in and braced for the jump, the horse easily clearing the hedge, making a smooth return to earth. She continued on, pulling on the reins to slow the mare, moving her from a gallop, to a canter, to a trot. “Good job, Lady Lane,” she crooned to the animal. “You were wonderful.”

“So were you.” Devon rode up alongside her, his eyes flashing. “That was a stupendous jump.”

“Thank you.” She slowed Lady Lane to a walk and attempted to still her thumping heart. The result of the jump or Devon’s praise, she wasn’t sure. She was alive and The Ice Queen was dead.

“There.” She pointed toward a copse of trees next to the pond she’d spotted yesterday. “That is a perfect spot for our picnic.”

“I agree.” Devon turned his horse and followed her to the shady area. He slid from the animal and reached up to grasp Eugenia’s waist. Her heart sped up once again at the look in his eyes. Not a look she’d seen much of before. He lifted her as if she weighed nothing. She licked her lips as he eased her off the saddle and brought her gently to the ground.

Slowly Devon reached up and brushed back a curl to tuck behind her ear. She closed her eyes at the touch of his gloved fingers, wishing for his bare skin instead.

“You’ve lost your hat,” he murmured.

Her mouth suddenly dry, she touched her head briefly and nodded. “I know.”

Her senses were alive, every color was sharper, every scent stronger. Devon’s nearness released dancing butterflies in her stomach. The now familiar dampness between her legs and heaviness of her breasts screamed at her to take the one step separating them that would put her into Devon’s arms. To push her aroused body against his, to feel the hardness of his muscles pressing into her soft skin.

As these thoughts raced through her mind, they continued to stare at each other until Devon shook his head, as if awakening from a dream. “I will get the basket.” He hesitated for a moment, then heade

d to his horse.