Lord Sebastian's Secret (The Duke's Sons #3)(17)
Sykes conceded with a nod, and wrote.
Sebastian resumed dictation. “So I need something to repel dogs,” he said. “Maybe some herb or ointment from an apothecary. If Nathaniel could discover a mixture that keeps them off me without disgusting people, particularly female people, and have it sent along posthaste, that would do the trick.”
“Hmm,” murmured Sykes.
“You know of something?” Sykes’s brain was stuffed with facts of every description. “I should have thought to ask you.”
“I believe dogs dislike the odor of vinegar, my lord.”
“Well, so do I. So does anyone. I can’t go about smelling of vinegar.”
“No, my lord.”
Sebastian examined him. Any other man, even a servant, might have been tempted to laugh at this point. He would have himself, if the shoe had been on some other poor fellow’s foot. He wouldn’t even have minded, very much. Sykes sat poised at the writing desk, resolutely in character. His idea of a proper valet was imperturbable. But if you looked carefully, you could see his brown eyes twinkling with amusement. Pugs would figure in his next dramatic opus, Sebastian suspected.
“I will look into the question further,” Sykes said.
“Splendid.” Sebastian remembered something. “Mitra seems to think that Georgina’s mother has the dogs trained to… Well, I don’t know. Do her bidding somehow. You might see about that as well.”
“See?” Sykes cocked his head, brows raised.
“What she’s up to.”
“The marchioness?”
“That’s it.” Sebastian gathered his thoughts and went on. “I’m also desperately in need of amusements for two girls aged about fifteen and thirteen,” he dictated. “Anything, doesn’t matter how much it costs. But quickly. Underline that part,” he told Sykes. “Make sure Nathaniel knows it’s more important than the bit about the dogs.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“I don’t suppose you have any ideas on that score?” It was hard to imagine. But you never knew with Sykes.
“I fear not, my lord.”
Sebastian nodded, unsurprised. “I’ve got to find something to occupy them. You don’t know what I’ve endured. They never stop talking, especially Hilda. I no sooner sit down than they appear and start in on me.”
He didn’t think that Emma and Hilda were trying to keep him away from Georgina. On the contrary, they were inordinately interested in when he would be kissing her in the shrubbery again. But their constant presence meant that he’d had no chance to speak to his intended about their…interlude in the back parlor. Georgina seemed calm enough when he saw her. But how else was she to appear before everyone?
As Sykes went off to dispatch the letter, Sebastian brooded among his open trunks. On the one hand, he was afraid he’d gone too fast and spooked his betrothed. He needed to make sure she was all right. Because, on the other hand, he wanted nothing more than to resume their exciting explorations, as soon and as thoroughly as she wished. Memories of the feel of her colored his days and haunted his nights. He’d never wanted any woman so much. This was splendid news for the future, he supposed. She would be his wife in a few weeks’ time. But at present it was more of a penance—to be so close to her and yet always in public.
Four
The marquess’s expedition to show his guest Offa’s Dyke had been put off by a period of heavy rain. But it was to happen at last early in August. Though she feared Sebastian would be bored by her father’s historical orations, Georgina was glad for the chance to get out of the house and breathe freer air. She was certain Sebastian felt the same; he was a cavalryman, after all, accustomed to days on horseback.
Even if the size and composition of the group wouldn’t allow for carefree gallops, it was splendid to be out of doors. And so as she guided her favorite mount over to join Papa, Fergus, Sebastian, and her sisters in the stable courtyard, Georgina smiled. It was barely ten. The sun was warm and the skies clear as they set off, clattering through the gate arch and out onto the path leading down from the castle.
Sebastian on horseback was a lovely sight, she thought. He rode as if born in the saddle, and his magnificent horse obviously loved him. The beast danced and curveted with delight at being out of the stable, and Sebastian laughed as he allowed him a bit of fun. He seemed as joyous as Whitefoot.
Watching her fiancé effortlessly control his spirited mount inspired all sorts of reactions. Georgina was full of admiration, hesitation, yearning. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. Indeed, she’d thought of little else since their stolen embraces in the little parlor at the back of the castle. Recalling those moments set her aflame, and she did so all the time. Her knees had been stretched out on either side of those powerful thighs, now encased in snug buckskin breeches, she thought. Immediately, she felt as if she’d been dipped in steaming water. She flushed all over. She turned her horse so that the others wouldn’t see the blush.
Her arms had been around Sebastian’s neck. He’d kissed her so sweetly. Whenever she passed near the small parlor now, she longed to open the door and find him there and pick up where they’d left off. If his fingers had moved just a little further that evening, a few aching inches, what new realms of pleasure might have been revealed? Georgina’s pulse thudded at the thought.