Lady Vivian Defies a Duke - By Samantha Grace Page 0,94
to hold her in place. Now that he had her safely within his reach, he couldn’t let her go. He tapped Thor’s sides and they set off for Shafer Hall, cutting through the meadow.
After a bit, she wriggled to adjust her seat and nestled into his crotch. His body warmed with her snugly against him, fitting him so perfectly in every way. Perhaps she was too much like him. This was the origin of his fear. Nothing had ever held him back, and Vivian was just as reckless.
“What am I to do with you, water sprite?”
She gave her head a small shake and a hot tear fell on his hand.
Brushing her hair aside, he placed a kiss at her temple. “No more tears. I have you now.”
***
Vivi fought back her tears for the remainder of their ride, trying to honor Luke’s wishes, but she was filled with sorrow. What was he to do with her? Well, there was really only one answer, wasn’t there? She didn’t believe he had thought of sending her on to Scotland, though. Not yet, anyway.
When they rode up the circular drive of Shafer Hall, a footman came out to greet them.
“Welcome, Your Grace.” He showed no indication that he found the Duke of Foxhaven’s arrival unexpected nor did he seem surprised Luke had arrived with a lady riding astride before him. The young man even had the good manners to pretend he couldn’t see her ankles and half her calves from her skirts bunching up.
Luke swung down from Thor then assisted her with dismounting as the butler and an older woman bustled out of the house.
“Your Grace, we were not expecting you,” the woman said and patted her mobcap as if to reassure herself it was on properly.
“We won’t be staying, Mrs. Aylmer. Will you please show Lady Vivian to a chamber to set herself back to rights? My brother assures me Lady Phoebe is happy to supply a new gown to the lady as well.”
Vivi heated through at what the servants must think of her state of dishabille and what had caused it.
The woman curtsied. “It would be my pleasure, Your Grace.”
Luke regarded Vivi with a frown. “I must attend to an urgent matter, but I will send a carriage for you.”
Her heart leapt into her throat. This would be his life. Cleaning up her messes and growing more disgruntled with her.
She grasped his arm without thinking. “Please stay. Can’t we talk through this first?”
Luke shot a look toward the servants, silently communicating for them to leave them alone.
The staff returned to the house.
His glance fell to her fingers digging into his forearm. She released him. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
He lifted an imperious eyebrow. “That seems to be a common occurrence, Vivian. You are correct about the need to talk, but now is not the time. Richard may require assistance, and I won’t leave my brother to face Collier alone.”
“No, of course not. You should help your brother. I wasn’t—” She bit off the last word. Reminding him yet again of her tendency not to think things through carefully wouldn’t help her cause. “Will you come back for me instead of sending a coach?”
“It may take some time. Are you sure you wish to wait here?”
She nodded. The last thing she wanted was to spend the afternoon with Luke’s kin pretending she hadn’t spoiled everything between them.
Luke escorted her to the double doors, left her in the servant’s care, and returned to his horse. If Mrs. Aylmer hadn’t hustled her inside, Vivi would have stood on the stoop to watch him ride away from her.
“Come along, milady. Ann will have you back to rights in no time, and I will have Cook prepare luncheon for you.”
“Please don’t go to any trouble.”
“It is no trouble.”
The keys at Mrs. Aylmer’s waist jingled as they climbed the stairs and walked the corridor. She stopped at a door, turned a key in the lock, and entered a bedchamber. She crossed the room to fling the curtains wide, flooding the quaint space with sunlight. It was a tidy and welcoming room. “This chamber hasn’t had visitors in a while, but I see to it the chambermaids keep it tidy.”
“It’s lovely,” Vivi said. “May I take my meal in here?”
Mrs. Aylmer offered another kind smile. “If that is your preference, milady. Now, you rest. It appears you’ve had quite a time of it today. Lady Phoebe’s maid will be in to assist you in a moment.”