Lady Vivian Defies a Duke - By Samantha Grace Page 0,51
well on her way to having him hold her for a lifetime.
When he opened his arms, she snuggled against him, his chest hard beneath her cheek. Her fingers picked at his linen shirt since she was unsure where to leave them. “I take it you haven’t been back to Twinspur since you recovered. Perhaps it would help to make new memories.”
He smoothed her hair from her face and kissed the top of her head. “This is a good beginning. Thank you for being here with me.”
Fifteen
Vivi’s mount pranced on the lane as she, Luke, and Lord Andrew neared the tenants’ cottages. Her horse was a high-spirited mare likely made more rambunctious by Vivi’s excitement. Father and Ash had kept her ignorant of their responsibilities and goings-on, so Luke’s suggestion that she accompany them to visit the tenants provided more evidence he was unlike other noble gentlemen. She liked that about him.
She and Luke had stayed out talking until the first streaks of dawn had swept the sky. She had shared the happier times in her life when she had lived with her brother, and Luke had told her funny stories about growing up with his two brothers. For long intervals, they had simply lain there in silence, holding hands, and Vivi had held her breath, hoping he might kiss her again.
He hadn’t.
The tenants’ homes were nestled in a valley, snug and safe from nature. Thick clouds of gray smoke rolled into the air, and flames licked at large black cauldrons suspended above fires. Several women stood at wooden tubs, elbow deep in water, while others draped garments over bushes to dry. Most of the women stopped to stare as their party approached.
One of the older women snagged a child to whisper in his ear when he and his playmates ran by. The lad’s laughter faded as he glanced their way, his eyes bulging. With a quick nod, he took off in the opposite direction, his bare feet kicking up dust.
Curious, the other children moved toward the lane as if to watch a parade. The boy’s mother, or perhaps grandmother, wiped her hands on her apron and curtsied as they drew near. “Your Grace.”
The other tenants followed her example now that Luke had been identified.
He dismounted and went to greet the woman. “Mrs. Ogden, how lovely to see you again. You remember my brother, Lord Andrew.”
“Of course, Your Grace, although it has been a long time.”
Lord Andrew flashed a dimpled grin. “I promise not to cause any mischief this time. Is George around? I should like to catch up.”
The woman’s cheeks flushed, and an affectionate light shone in her brown eyes. “You boys were always up to mischief, my lord. He’d like to see you, I’m sure. You will find him tending sheep.”
“Thank you.” He handed the basket he carried on Vivi’s behalf to her then urged his horse along the lane.
Luke reached up to help Vivi dismount then tucked her hand into the hollow of his arm. “Mrs. Ogden, may I present my betrothed, Lady Vivian Worth, the Marquess of Ashden’s sister.”
“Greetings, milady.” The woman lowered her head and bowed, but not before Vivi spotted a broad smile breaking across her face, nor did she miss the note of surprise in the woman’s greeting.
Before Vivi could respond, a man appeared on the lane. His craggy face and graying hair spoke of his years, but his barrel chest and large arms could have belonged to a man half his age.
“Your Grace, is something amiss? I pray Lord Richard is well,” the man said.
Luke’s friendly smile didn’t falter, but his bicep shifted beneath Vivi’s fingers.
“He is well, Mr. Ogden, and residing at Shafer Hall. We will join my family in Northumberland in several days, but I wished to check on the properties at Twinspur before we continue our journey.”
Mr. Ogden blotted the perspiration beading on his upper lip with a yellowed handkerchief. “Of course, Your Grace. We can speak in my cottage.” He motioned to two older boys to tend the horses.
Luke patted Vivi’s hand. “Mrs. Ogden, would you be kind enough to keep Lady Vivian occupied while I speak with your husband? She’s a curious sort, so do not be surprised if she has several questions for you.”
Vivi would have offered a smart retort if she didn’t have several pairs of eyes glued to her at the moment. The teasing sparkle in Luke’s blue eyes made her think he would have added “behave yourself” if they didn’t have an audience.