Page 40 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

, I swam in this pond in the summer and skated on it in winter. I always think of it as my own special place.”

Patience turned to him. “I don’t remember you showing this to me when we were here years ago.”

“No, I probably didn’t.” He studied her, remembering the blissful time. “I don’t think there was time to show you everything I wanted to. It was only five days.”

Five days.

He’d spent four long years trying to block a mere five days from his memory. He shook his head at the thought. He pulled on the reins and wrapped the leather straps around the dash. Lifting Patience from her seat once again reminded him of her lush curves and lavender and mint scent that always surrounded her. He wanted to crush her to his body and plunder her mouth. Instead, as a proper courting husband, he smiled and set her feet on the ground.

They spread out the blanket on a patch of dry grass. Once they sat, Patience drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around her legs. He remembered that from the past. It seemed to be her most comfortable position. “As much as I am looking forward to enjoying some of the events of the Season, I do love the fresh smell of country air.”

Alex stretched out on his side, picked up a blade of grass, and stuck it between his teeth. “I find I can be comfortable just about anywhere. A gift, I am sure. If you prefer the country, we can certainly spend most of the year here. Or at one of my other estates. Which, by the way, I need to visit shortly.”

Patience rested her chin on her knees. “That would be fun. Almost like a wedding trip.”

Another pang of guilt. She’d had a botched proposal, a hurried-up wedding, and no honeymoon. He reached out, took her hand, and kissed it. “We will have a proper wedding trip once I clear a few things up. I promise. Have you been to the Continent?”

She shook her head. “No. I haven’t been anywhere except here, my family’s estate in Suffolk, and London.”

More guilt. He had a lot to make up for. Not that it had all been his fault, but it was no wonder she’d been so upset with him when she was not given a choice and rushed into marriage.

Alex sat up and took both of her hands. “I promise you I will be the best husband, ever. I will make your happiness my priority. I will not wander to other beds, drink to excess, or gamble away our future.” He tucked a loose hair behind her ear. “Or our children’s futures.”

She ducked her head and the blush that rose from the top of her gown to her hairline was endearing. True, he could not wait to get her into his bed, but he felt their courting was a good idea. She deserved as much.

He turned her hands and kissed the inside of her wrists. ’Twas better than dragging her down to the blanket and ravishing her. “Now I think we better eat the wonderful smelling food Cook has prepared. Although the pond will probably be cold, perhaps later, we could remove our shoes and stockings and wade at the edge of the water.” He moved the cloth aside and took out the food.

They chatted amiably about books, his friends, and the bill he intended to introduce in Parliament to help veterans returning from the war. From what he’d seen, they’d been grossly neglected by the Crown and Parliament. If anyone knew about the scars of war that burdened a soldier, he did.

As they talked, they seemed to be getting on almost as well as they had before. The sun warming his back, the smell of the damp earth, and Patience alongside him eased his mind, as he slowly relaxed, feeling more carefree than he had for years.

He might have done even better with tamping down his lust if it weren’t for Patience constantly licking her fingers, or sliding her cute little pink tongue over her lips as they ate. If he didn’t know better, he would swear she was doing it all on purpose.

Once all the leftover cold meat, cheese, bread, and apple tarts were placed back into the basket, Alex stood and held his hand out. “I fear if we sit here after that wonderful meal, I will be asleep in no time. Let’s go for a walk.”

Instead of placing her hand on his arm, he kept their fingers linked as they strolled the area, eventually ending at the edge of the pond. “Care to venture into the water?” He regarded her with a smile, hoping to tempt her into removing at least some of her clothing, even if it was only her half boots and stockings.

“It looks rather chilly.” She turned to him. “Don’t you think?”

He stared at her, mesmerized by her slight smile, the creamy glow of her sun-kissed skin, and the way her beautiful green eyes danced with humor, until he mentally shook himself. “It might be a bit, but it would refresh us, as well, since the day is unseasonably warm.”

With her nearness, and him unable to touch her the way he truly wanted to, he felt heated enough to rip off every stitch of clothing he wore and dive into the water. Better yet, if they both removed their clothing and…

Best to let that thought go. He was determined to abide by Patience’s wishes and court her before bedding her. It was her due after all the bullying to which she’d been subjected.

“Come, it will be fun.” He leaned down and pulled off his boot and stocking from one foot, then the other. “Sit down and I will help you with your boots.”

“I can remove my own boots and stockings. I am not a totally useless female.” She sniffed.

Yes, she was purposely teasing him. She rested her lovely bottom on a rock, and once her half boots were off, she slowly slid the hem of her gown up, inch by glorious inch, until she reached the pink ribbon tied around the top of her knee, holding up her stocking.

His breathing increased, and he licked his suddenly dry lips. With her knees primly locked together, he tried very hard not to imagine the beauty and glory of her sex that his eyes would be treated to if he wrenched those knees apart. Instead, he asked, “If you need any help untying those ribbons, I am at your service.”

Bloody hell. Besides his voice sounding like a frog croaking, he hadn’t said anything that stupid since his youthful days. However, if she didn’t speed up the process, he would have her flat on her back and underneath him in a flash.

“I seem to have a knot in this one.” She looked up at him, wide-eyed. “Can you help?”

He groaned, knowing now she was playing with him. Or was she? Perhaps she felt the lust crackling between them as well, and in her innocence, did not know how to let him understand she was ready to give herself to him. Instead of reaching for the ribbon, he placed his hand on her ankle, and moved it up over the silk of her stocking, watching her eyes the entire time.