Forever My Love (Berkeley-Faulkner #2)(8)

“I’m sorry,” Mira said, shooting up from the tiny bench and taking a few steps back as if to flee. There was no way out of the room except the doorway the woman occupied. “I did not intend to disturb anyone. I thought no one would hear among all the—”

“Do finish, please. Among all the gossip?” the blond woman inquired, and laughed huskily. “You did not disturb anyone. I was passing by and heard your performance. I am Lady Ellesmere, my dear, and I am simply enchanted by you. I can certainly see why Sackville is so taken with you.”

Mira did not like the strange contrast between Lady Ellesmere’s kind words and cool eyes.

“I must go,” she said, edging closer to the doorway and averting her gaze from the hard, beautiful face.

“But why?” Clara Ellesmere inquired, turning with a mocking smile to watch Mira slip through the door. Her light laughter burned Mira’s ears. “Do you think you are too good for my company? Or are you embarrassed because of your relationship with Sackville? You shouldn’t be… you’re very fortunate to have him. How did you manage to catch him? You must be a very clever girl.”

Mira ran as the woman’s laughter followed her down the hallway, her cheeks tingling with the heat of shame. Lady Ellesmere’s voice had been filled with ridicule. It should not have hurt Mira, and yet it did. Inexplicably a picture of Falkner’s handsome, sarcastic face shot through her mind, and she felt the pressure of tears build behind her eyes.

“And so ends the hours spent in pursuit of ‘tht-noble science’ of hunting,” Sackvilk said, clapping Alec on the back.

“Noble science,” Alec repeated curtly. “More like an efficient way to founder a good horse.”

“You’re still thinking of Stamford’ mount? Well just write it down as aggressive riding- -“

“Aggressiveness is one thing, irresponsibility is an other. He should have changed horses more often.”

“You could have told him more gertly, Falkner—”

“Was he gentle with the damned horse?” Alec inquired tersely. “He rode the animal into the ground!’

There was a short silence.

“He knows that now,” Sackville said.. “Try to forget it, my boy. You know accidents happen during every hunt.”

Alec sighed. “I know.”

“You’ve been unusually quiet today,’ Sackville said, giving him a conciliatory smile. “Tired? What the deuce, it’s been a long day, hmmn?”

“Yes, it has.’”

Alec wore a morose expression as he shrugged out of his red coat and headed up the ornately balustraded staircase to his room. For some reason Sackville tagged along after him, continuing to prattle.

“We’ll catch a brace of foxes by the weekend if our luck holds out… but wait until Berkeley arrives with his private pack. Best foxhounds in the country, and everyone knows it.”

“Berkeley’s coming to the hunt?”

“The third week.”

Alec’s interest was stirred despite his foul mocs1. The Earl of Berkeley and his wife, Rosalie, live” In Warwick, not far from his own estates in Staffordshire. The couple was a popular one, for the earl’s ready wit was matched by his wife’s charm, and their presence would enliven the gathering at Sackville Manor considerably.

“Lady Berkeley,” Alec said slowly, his gray eyes narrowing thoughtfully as they climbed the stairs. “Now, there’s an ideal woman. Beautiful, charming, and above all, a lady.” He thought of Mira and scowled as he continued. “A faithful wife. Gently bred and—”

“Many of us would be grateful if she were a sight less faithful,” Sackville interrupted, chuckling.

“I wouldn’t think you’d have any reason to look outside Sackville Manor for your pleasure.”

“True, true,” Sackville admitted, his grin broadening. “Mira is all I could desire in a woman.”

As they proceeded upstairs, Sackville did not notice the long, measured glance that Alec gave him. For the first time Alec noticed his old friend’s slight paunch and thinning pale red hair. Sackville was not in the best of physical condition, nor did he possess the vigor of youth any longer. Undoubtedly he was generous and benevolent to his mistress, but could he truly satisfy her in bed? Though Alec was mildly disgusted at the turn his own thoughts were taking, he could not help but continue asking the silent questions. Sackville’s skin was soft and slightly wrinkled with the advent of late middle age, and his body had lost the edge of toughness and strength it had once possessed. Wouldn’t Mira, a young woman of twenty, prefer a man closer to her own age? Wouldn’t she prefer a man with a full measure of vigor and passion, a man with a talent for pleasuring women?

Immediately a vision appeared in Alec’s mind, of her slim, na**d body writhing under his own, her mouth seeking his, her thighs opening to his hands, her h*ps arching up to him. Her hair, the rich, deep brown-black length of it, falling silkily over his body, her sweet voice crooning in his ear as he brought her to fulfillment over and over again…

“Damn,” he breathed, furious with himself as he struggled to overcome the rising heat in his loins. She had put a spell on him, one that he was determined to

resist. But the hunt would last nearly three week* more. Could he endure three weeks of wanting her, knowing that she was nearby, knowing that he could not have her?