Page 6 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

She bent over the board and made her first move. Alex studied the pieces and moved his rook. “Did you ever get to the point where you beat him?”

She waved her hand. “Don’t try to distract me, Lord Alex.”

He enjoyed her competitive streak, another odd trait in a girl fresh out of the schoolroom. From then on, silence reigned, the only sound the slight swish of the chess pieces as they slid over the board.

The next morning, Alex and Night Storm sprinted over the lawns of Woburn Abbey, racing ahead of Patience riding on Melody, one of the stable’s mares. Patience had surprised him when she joined him for their ride dressed in a riding habit split down the center, the sides sewn so she could ride astride. He’d never seen a woman ride in that fashion. She told him she’d had it specially made, with her mother’s permission.

“Mother fell from a horse when she was close to my age and never rode again. She didn’t want the same thing to happen to me. But we have to hide it from Father.”

“Your father would disapprove?”

She wrinkled her cute little nose, and a flicker of wariness entered her eyes. “My father disapproves of most everything.”

When he had tried to question her further, she’d quickly changed the subject, and they had headed for their horses.

Now he was enjoying the fresh air, and the lovely young lady beside him. And she was young, he kept reminding himself. After their kiss in the gallery a few days ago, he promised himself he would keep his hands off her. He tried very hard to make sure they were never alone, but it had grown harder each time they were together. In fact, their parents didn’t know they were out riding, just the two of them. Something he had been trying to avoid.

Alex was beginning to feel as though he’d found his mate. Dangerous territory, that.

He slowed Night Storm and shouted to Patience. “Let’s stop over there and give the horses a rest.” He pointed to a domed canopy of ash trees forming a natural alcove. They slowed the animals to a walk, the only sound the blowing of the horses and the soft padding of their hooves on the grass. Once Alex dropped from Night Storm, he reached up and clasped his hands around Patience’s slim waist. He lifted and then slowly lowered her, staring in her eyes, knowing this close contact was going to mean trouble.

She slid down his body, the feel of her soft curves wreaking havoc with his blood supply, which immediately raced from his brain to his cock. Once on her feet, she remained in his arms, her tempting mouth only inches from his. His gaze traveled over her face and searched her eyes.

He fought the noble battle, and lost.

Carefully, so as not to alarm her, he lowered his head, and despite what his body craved, he took her mouth gently, soothingly. To his surprise, she moved her lips under his and edged closer until their bodies melded into one. The kiss turned into something urgent and exploratory. He nudged her lips with his tongue and she opened to him.

He delved in, tasting honey, mint, and Patience. Remembering himself, with a groan, he jerked his head back, his breath coming in gasps. Patience slowly opened her eyes, and the invitation there almost had him easing her to the ground and removing her clothes.

“We cannot do this. You are much too young.”

“No.”

He ran his finger down her soft cheek. “Yes, sweeting. You are very young. We cannot continue this.”

Tears flooded her eyes, and she turned her face, staring at the open expanse of ground before them. She drew in a deep breath. “Let us run away together. Today. Now.”

Alex closed his eyes and sighed. If only. If only they could do this thing. But good sense prevailed. “No, we cannot run away.”

She looked at him with trembling lips. “Why not?”

Tugging her close, this time more in comfort than lust, he said, “I am the second son. I have no living. I need to make my way in the world. At present, I live on my allowance and cannot provide for you the way you deserve.”

Shaking her head furiously, she said, “I don’t care. We can work together to build our life.”

Visions of waking up each morning with her by his side, and making love to her each night almost brought him to his knees.

If only.

“Nay. When the time is right, we will be together, but not yet.”

“When?”

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and tugged her close, walking them toward the horses. He needed to get away from this too private spot or he would do something that could very well ruin both their lives.

Despite the short duration of their acquaintance, what he felt for Patience was strong, solid. He knew he would never again find someone to whom he felt this connected. Even though he’d not had a great deal of experience with women, somehow, he realized she was the right one for him. The only one.

“I have decided to leave university and find a way to make money. To set myself up for the future. Only then can I take a wife and think about a family.”