Page 6

Amberwood lounged in a chair in the library while Adrian stared out the window hoping for some sort of inspiration.

He didn’t know where Easton was; he hadn’t been with them at the breakfast table.

He had probably slept longer. The rain drained a person of any sort of ambition.

Unless it was driving them mad as it had with him.

“There you two are,” Easton said. “I am going riding. Do you wish to join me?”

Adrian nearly leapt with joy. “I suppose I could,” he replied in a droll tone. No need to let them realize how crazed he’d started to become.

“I’d love to,” Amberwood replied. “It’s good to finally see the sun peeking out from the clouds. I thought it would never stop raining.”

“It’s an unfortunate occurrence in England,” Easton said in a light tone. “Let’s be off to the stables then. The horses won’t take long to ready.”

They all prepared for their ride and headed on to the stables. There the marquess ordered their horses readied. The stable hands rushed off to do as he had ordered and before long they had saddled horses for them to ride. They all mounted their horses, and they were off.

“Where should we ride?” Adrian asked.

“Wherever we please,” Easton replied. “Though I think we should go to a nearby meadow. We can have a fine race there.”

“I like that idea,” the duke replied. “Lead the way, Easton. Perhaps we can have a wager too.”

“Perfect,” Adrian replied. “I love a good wager.”

After that they rode in silence for a while.

Adrian reveled in the warm sun on his skin and the soft breeze that ruffled his hair.

This was what he’d needed. More than anything he had to release all that pent up frustration.

He was so grateful to Easton for the suggestion they ride.

“This was a grand idea,” Adrian said. They had all stopped at the edge of a meadow that bordered Declan’s estate.

“Maybe we should visit that pond of yours again,” Amberwood said. “I wouldn’t mind a swim.”

Easton opened his mouth to reply but closed it as something caught his attention.

“What is it you’re looking at?” Adrian asked.

He followed Easton’s line of sight and realized what it was.

He turned his gaze toward the ladies and then grinned.

“Should we join them?” He motioned toward the three ladies strolling through the meadow.

Easton’s mouth tightened. Did he hope to avoid them?

If he was not mistaken, they were most likely the very same women that had spied on them while they bathed in the pond.

“I’m not sure that is wise,” Easton said. He glowered in their direction. That made Adrian want to push for their company even more. He was contrary like that. He was also curious about these ladies. They were not proper at all, and he wanted to encourage such behavior.

“It couldn’t hurt,” Amberwood said. “Or would you rather return to listen to your mother’s diatribe on the fine attributes of a house party and how it will help you select your future wife?

” That was sure to goad the marquess into joining the ladies.

He definitely did not want a house party, and frankly, neither did Adrian. That would spell disaster for them all.

Easton glared at him. “What I am hearing is you wish for me to tell my mother to have a house party and help you select a bride.” He flashed Adrian a wicked grin. “I’ll be sure to inform her upon our return.” Adrian shivered at the thought. God help him if Easton’s mother did that.

“No need to do me that sort of favor.” The duke shuddered.

“I need no assistance finding a woman to be my wife. Ladies nearly throw themselves at me when I enter a room. I wish they wouldn’t.

” Amberwood often complained of such tricks that the ladies laid at his feet.

He’d been dodging the matrimonial bullet for an age now.

He should just select a wife and end the hopes and dreams of all those wishing to be duchess.

“I say we go over there,” Adrian said. “It will be entertaining, at least. I’ve been filled with a bit of ennui lately.

It might help to have the company of some charming young ladies.

” That was stating things rather mildly.

He’d been struck with more than mere boredom.

Though the sentiment was true. He did think that the young ladies’ company would help ease that ache inside of him.

The need for whatever that more was that he required.

“All right,” Easton agreed. “You lead the way.” He gestured toward Adrian.

Adrian didn’t question why the marquess had agreed.

He was too grateful for his acquiescence to bother with such thoughts.

He just flicked the reins of his horse and was off toward the young ladies.

Amberwood sighed and followed, and then the marquess did the same.

It didn’t take long for them to be upon the three ladies.

One of the ladies held a quilt in her hand and was spreading it over the ground for them to sit upon.

“Hello, ladies,” Adrian greeted them.

The blonde chit spreading the blanket outright ignored the greeting.

She was cheeky. Adrian liked her. “Hello,” another girl said.

She had brown hair streaked with gold and a guileless smile that was refreshing.

“We probably shouldn’t be talking with you.

” She turned toward the third lady, the one with golden red hair and said, “Isn’t that right?

” But Adrian didn’t but give her a mere glance.

This one… the innocence there. It was breathtaking, and by God, was she lovely.

Her eyes were a lovely violet shade that made him think of stormy skies and passionate nights.

Adrian had never been so transfixed in his entire life.

“It isn’t prudent to have a conversation with gentlemen we are not acquainted with.

” The red-haired chit shrugged lightly. “However, that one is Lord Easton. He owns the estate that borders Havenwood.” She glared at the marquess.

“He made some of his displeasures known recently. I’m not certain why he is even here and not on his land. ”

Easton sighed. “Perhaps we should begin again.” Easton had made an error it seemed. These ladies did not like him. “We were…” Declan considered his words carefully. “Surprised by our encounter with you at the pond, and it had to be addressed. I may have come off a bit harsh in my concerns.”

Ah… These were the ladies who had been spying on them. Adrian had suspected as much.

The blonde girl met Easton’s gaze and slowly lifted a brow mocking him. “Pretty words, my lord,” she said in a serene tone. “I’m not so certain we should believe them.” She held his gaze as she spoke. “But in the interest of keeping things peaceful, I will reluctantly accept your non-apology.”

“Non-apology?” Easton seemed aghast at her statement. Adrian was even more intrigued. It was like a battle of wills and words. How fascinating, and he was riveted. “I don’t follow.”

“You didn’t apologize at all, but it almost sounded like one. But I’m no fool, my lord.” She smiled, but it wasn’t a pleasant tilt of her lips. It was almost feral. “Your sort doesn’t feel remorse and rarely, if ever, tells another person they’re sorry.”

“That is true. I don’t apologize when I am not in the wrong to begin with. You should not have been near the pond, Lady Charlotte. But I did handle the aftermath poorly.”

So this was Lady Charlotte… He had one of their names.

Now he needed the other two. Adrian frowned.

No, he needed the one. The girl with the violet eyes.

He had to know more about her. He was growing bored with Easton and his verbal sparring with Lady Charlotte.

Well, that was not entirely true. He did want to know what would happen with them.

He just wanted to know the other girl more.

“The almost apology with qualifiers.” She grinned. “But we need not dissect it when it won’t aid us in furthering our acquaintance.”

The red-haired girl laughed. “Do we want to do that?” She stared at the duke with as much hatred as Lady Charlotte’s voice held when she spoke to Easton.

What had Adrian missed there? Amberwood’s gaze seemed to be glued to that girl as well.

Adrian suddenly had an interest in the red-haired chit.

He was most definitely out of the loop. He had questions and no answers were forthcoming.

“I would not want to disappoint Mrs. Havenwood,” Lady Charlotte said. “So yes, we will be cordial with Lord Easton and his guests.”

Adrian dismounted and walked over to them, keeping the reins of his horse in his hands.

“May we join you on your picnic?” he asked the girl with the lovely violet eyes.

He wanted to become more acquainted with her and no one seemed to be offering introductions.

She glanced away from him. Her shyness was palpable. He had to tread carefully with her.

“We haven’t been properly introduced,” the young lady said, not quite meeting Adrian’s gaze.

“Then we should rectify that.” Adrian grinned.

This was what he’d been hoping for, though he wouldn’t wait for a formal introduction.

“I’m the Earl of Foxmoore,” he told her.

“That gentleman glaring at us is the Marquess of Easton, and the other one is the Duke of Amberwood.” He bowed before her. “I would be pleased to join you, Lady…”

“Miss,” she corrected him. “I’m Miss Georgina Williams.” He had her name. Now he could whisper it as he imagined all the ways he could savor her. He wished to kiss every inch of her, and his greatest desire was to watch those violet eyes burn with passion.

Easton sighed and asked, “May we join you?”

“I suppose,” Lady Charlotte replied, but she didn’t sound happy. Adrian didn’t really care. He was staying, and he would spend more time with Miss Georgina. “Our fare might not be to your standards. We did not expect to share any of it.”

“Whatever you have will be acceptable,” Easton said.

“Then by all means,” Lady Charlotte said. “Join us, my lord.” She turned her attention to Amberwood. “Your Grace. It would be our pleasure to share our lowly picnic with all of you.”

“Thank you,” Amberwood said to Lady Charlotte. He ignored the other lady. The one that Adrian didn’t know, and frankly, didn’t care to. Though later he might ask Amberwood why he disliked her so, or was it the opposite? Did he perhaps like her too much?

Those were questions for later. Much, much later. At that moment he only had one thing to keep him occupied. Miss Georgina Williams would be enough. More than enough… Before the afternoon was finished, he’d know more of her. Everything if possible. He grinned. What a fine day it had turned into.