Page 7 of Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love 3)

“How long?”

He turned her toward him and rested his hands on her shoulders. “Give me three years. You will be nine and ten years, and I will have

enough to support us.” He rested his forehead against hers. “Will you wait for me?”

“Forever.”

Once more he pulled her against him and ravaged her mouth. She responded—a fast learner—and this time nudged his lips.

“Well, well. Isn’t this a lovely sight? The young lovers caught.” Cyrus stared at them from atop his horse, the well-known smirk on his lips.

Patience and Alex sprang apart. He immediately took Patience’s hand in his. “Mind your own business, Cyrus.”

“Ah. Perhaps I am.”

“Bugger off.” Alex led Patience to her horse and lifted her into the saddle. His lips tightened when he saw her red face and obvious embarrassment. If it wouldn’t upset her further, he would pull Cyrus off his horse and give him the beating he deserved. Since his brother spent most of his time drinking and swiving, he was certainly in no shape to defend himself.

Instead, he swallowed his anger, hopped onto Night Storm then grabbed the reins, and turned toward the Abbey. Both horses moved at a sedate pace until they reached the clearing when Alex and Patience gave the horses their head.

They arrived back at the stable breathless. Alex helped Patience down and studied her face. “Please don’t let my brother upset you. We did nothing wrong, and my promise still stands. Give me three years.”

Patience nodded, and after a bit, gave him a slight smile.

…

Once they were in the house, Patience hurried to her bedchamber. She slipped into the room and closed the door, leaning against it. She had never been so embarrassed in her life. Yet, she would not change a thing. Alex’s kisses convinced her that they were meant for each other.

The only reason she’d enjoyed this visit at all was the time spent with Alex. They’d laughed, talked, played chess, and took long walks. They’d argued over the merit of one book opposed to another. The time spent together was idyllic, and she longed for it to last forever.

Another benefit was it kept her away from Cyrus, who frightened her. Something about the way he looked at her, with possession in his eyes, bothered her.

Her mother had told her she should not be spending so much time with Lord Alex, but Patience had ignored her. Mother looked anxious when she spoke to her regarding it, but she was always fussing about one thing or another.

Patience pulled the bell cord to have her maid assist her in changing from her riding clothes. The time grew near for tea, and she wanted to look her best. For Alex.

A slight scratch on the door drew her attention. “Come.”

Instead of her maid, Polly, her mother entered the room. “Good afternoon, daughter.”

“Mother.” Patience nodded, wondering what brought her mother to her room. Rarely did her mother come to her. Most times when she wished to speak with her, she would send word for her to join her in her morning room. Since they were not at home, and her morning room not available, that might explain this divergence from her normal routine.

“I need to speak with you before we all go down to tea.” The look on her mother’s face made Patience curious. She looked grave, and not at all pleased.

Mother waved to the chaise longue in front of the windows. “Perhaps we should sit.”

Patience’s heart began to pound. Something was wrong, and her mother was having a hard time addressing whatever it was that had her uneasy.

“What is it, Mother? You are frightening me.”

“No, dear. Nothing to be frightened about. In fact, it is rather good news.”

Why did she feel as though Mother’s news was not good news? She didn’t look happy, or excited. In fact, she looked downright somber. She took Patience’s hands in hers and turned toward her.

“My dear, we have good news.”

“So you say, but I get the feeling ’tis not good news at all.” Patience had the most horrible desire to put her hands to her ears and block whatever words her mother was about to say.

“The reason we had been invited to spend these days with the Duke and Duchess of Bedford was for your benefit.”