Lily and the Duke (Sex and the Season #1)(25)

What an amazing woman she was. Beautiful, yes, but he had never lacked the company of beautiful women. No, it wasn’t her beauty that fascinated him.

He couldn’t recall when he had been in a more pleasant mood. He hummed to himself as he put his saddle away and brushed Midnight’s coat. Midnight snorted, and Daniel grabbed an apple from the bushel basket next to his stall and fed him. “There you are, old boy.”

“Hello, Daniel.”

He turned to see Amelia Gregory holding her nose.

“My goodness, doesn’t anyone ever clean up in here?”

“This is a stable, Amelia. If the smell of horse shit offends you, I suggest you stay out of here.”

“I missed you at the luncheon today.”

“There were no men at the luncheon. Why in the world would you think I would be there?”

Amelia didn’t reply. Instead, “Why didn’t you go on the hunt?”

“I had some business to attend to this afternoon that required my immediate attention.”

“Did it go well?”

“Yes, very well.” He smoothed the curry comb over Midnight’s flanks. “If you don’t mind, Amelia, I must attend to my horse.”

“Don’t you have servants for that?”

“I prefer to take care of Midnight myself.”

“Do you mind if we talk while you groom him?”

Daniel cleared his throat. “I’d rather not. I don’t think there is anything more that needs to be said between us.”

“But there is, darling. I have wonderful news.” She reached toward him. “I have decided to forgive you.”

“Forgive me? For what?”

“For tossing me out on my arse last night, dear. Obviously something was bothering you, and I should have been able to read you better. It’s all my fault really. I want you to know that I still want to be with you, and when you’re feeling up to it, I want you to come to me.”

God. He hadn’t expected this. “I’m sorry, Amelia. I won’t change my mind. I no longer desire your company.”

“How can you say that, after all the pleasures we’ve shared? I thought we had a relationship.”

“Relationship?”

“Of course, I haven’t always been faithful to you, darling, but you’ve hardly been faithful to me, either. Still, we both knew we would end up together someday, did we not?”

“I knew nothing of the sort. I never wanted a relationship, nor did you. At least that’s what you led me to believe. Our liaison was purely physical, and although it was enjoyable, I no longer wish to pursue it.”

Amelia reached up to caress his cheek. “I don’t believe a word of that, Daniel. You and I were meant to be together.”

No spark from her touch. Nothing. “I’m afraid you’re wrong.”

She moved forward, her mouth only inches from his, her breath blowing quick puffs of air against his lips. “You know that no one else can make you feel as I do.”

Daniel grabbed her wrist. “Amelia, don’t do this.”

“I would do anything for you, you know. If there’s anything we haven’t tried in bed, although I can’t imagine that there is, I’ll do it for you. Just tell me.”

“This has nothing to do with our antics in the bedchamber.”

“Please, Daniel, don’t throw me aside. I can make you happy. Have you forgotten?” She lowered her voice to a husky rasp. “I’ll ride you hard and fast until you’re grunting and groaning. I’ll suck your cock until I’m blue in the face—”

He quickly tore her hand from his face. “Amelia, it’s over.”

Her face twisted into rage. “You are a scoundrel, Daniel.”

“My lady, I’ve been called worse by better women than you.”



* * *



Amelia flounced out of the stables, seething. Oh, she’d show him, one way or another. He was hers, and by the end of this wretched house party, he would bloody well know it.





Chapter 6





Lily and Rose returned to their chamber, sneaking up the servants’ stairway to avoid Lily being seen with wet hair and slightly damp clothes.

Rose yawned. “I’m incredibly sleepy. We were up so late last night at the ball, and now all this ruckus this afternoon. I do believe I will nap for hours. I don’t know how you were able to drag yourself out of bed so early this morning, Lily.”

“My love of art knows no bounds.”

Rose yawned again, stretching herself out on her bed. “My love of sleep knows no bounds.” She closed her eyes.

Lily lay down on her own bed. She couldn’t ever recall being quite so content as she was at this very moment. Life was too short not to extract out all the pleasure one could. Should she reconsider her decision not to go to Daniel tonight? He obviously wanted her, and she wanted him. They had no future, but she didn’t want a future with him anyway. Carpe Diem, as her Latin tutor used to say. Seize the day. And the night, she thought, giggling to herself.

She padded to the door when she heard a soft knock. A maid stood there, holding a large leather case. “Shh,” Lily said, holding her finger to her lips. “My sister is sleeping.”