Lily and the Duke (Sex and the Season #1)(24)

“What is The Ruby?” Sophie shook her head. “Never mind. I don’t want to know.”

Alexandra laughed. “I’m sure you don’t. But we’re perfectly alone here. And if we don’t wear any garments, we can dry in the sun before we put our clothes back on.”

“We should at least keep our undergarments on,” Rose said.

“By all means, if it makes you feel better to have a soggy chemise and drawers, then do so,” Alexandra said, “but I’m going in naked.”

“So am I!” Lily tossed her dress in a heap and stepped out of her corset and drawers.

“Lily, at least keep your chemise on,” Rose said.

“For goodness’ sake, Rose, there’s not another person within sight.”

Lily lifted the delicate garment over her head and ran into the water where Alexandra was already splashing around. The warm waves flowed over her naked form like a sensual embrace. Her mind wandered to the bath she had shared with Daniel that morning, but she shooed the thought away. She drifted over to Alexandra, where the water was nearly five feet deep. Her breasts floated on the surface as she splashed her cousin.

“Wouldn’t it be wonderful,” Alexandra said, grinning, “if some young men came by right about now?”

“That would be embarrassing, Ally.” But Lily couldn’t help giggling.

“No, it would be hilarious,” Alexandra continued. “They would be embarrassed beyond measure. They would see us frolicking about like two naked water nymphs, laughing and splashing each other. They would probably fall right off their horses!”

Lily turned to where they had left their clothes. “You were kidding, weren’t you Ally? I see a horse yonder.”

“Oh my.” Sophie gestured to them. “Stay under the water. If he comes close enough to see, duck your heads at the same time.” She pulled Rose away behind a cluster of large trees.

“Who could it be other than some servant out and about?” Lily said.

“You’re probably right,” Alexandra agreed. “Let’s just keep our treasures under the water until he goes away.”

“Oh dear God.” Lily gulped.

The beautiful hair she had washed and caressed earlier drifted in the slight breeze. Daniel sat atop a majestic black stallion. He wore a brown riding outfit and his shirt was open at the neck. His hair blew softly in the warm April breeze.

“What is it, Lily?” Alexandra nudged her arm. “Do you recognize him?”

“I’m afraid so. It’s the duke.”

“I’m going to faint,” Alexandra said.

Lily steadied her cousin. Their secret would be safe with Daniel, she was sure, but she didn’t know how to tell Ally without divulging her affair. “He probably doesn’t see us. Come on, let’s just move over here, towards the rocks, until he goes away.”

Daniel rode closer, guiding his horse around the piles of clothing. He looked out into the pool. Ally was turned away, but his eyes met Lily’s. She gave him a quick nervous grin. His head rolled back in gales of laughter as he turned his horse around and rode away. When she could no longer see him in the distance, she poked Ally. “You can turn around now. He’s gone.”

“He saw us,” Alexandra said. “I heard him laughing.”

“He couldn’t have known who we were. Our backs were turned. There’s no need to worry.”

“He may have recognized you, Lily. I saw you dancing with him last night.”

Lily’s skin heated, though not from the steaming bath. “While he was dancing with me, he wasn’t looking at my back. How would he recognize me?”

Rose and Sophie returned as Lily and Ally stepped out of the water.

“It was the duke!” Sophie said.

“Yes, we know,” Lily said. “I’m sure he didn’t know who we were.”

“He’s so handsome,” Ally gushed.

Lily looked away. “Of course, he’s attractive, but you know his reputation.”

“I think I could overlook a reputation to dance with such a delectable man,” Alexandra said dreamily. “How was he?”

Lily jumped backward. “What do you mean by that?”

“As a dancer, of course, you ninny. What did you think I meant?”

Lily’s heart hammered against her chest. “He…he’s marvelous on his feet. Better than Thomas even.”

“How did you come to dance with him?” Sophie asked.

“He cut in on Lord Victor, actually. I’m sure he was just being polite.”

“Dear, it’s more polite not to cut in,” Alexandra said. “He obviously wanted to dance with you.

“We only danced once. That’s hardly anything to get worked up about.”

“Of course not,” Sophie said. “But we should keep an eye on him. Maybe he has decided to court a woman honorably. He is a duke now, after all. He’ll need an heir.”

“He isn’t going to get one from me.” Lily brushed the droplets of water from her arms and torso, shaking from the chill of leaving the bath’s warmth. Or was she shaking for another reason?

Dear Lord, what have I gotten into?



* * *



Daniel was still chuckling when he returned to his stables. He should have known Lily would find the hot pool. The sight of her had been almost too much. He hadn’t been able to see her lovely body under the water, but oh, he had imagined it. If the other woman hadn’t been there, he would have stripped off his clothes and jumped in with her. And then he would have shagged her until they were both sated and exhausted.