“Will you want to…I mean will you come to my room tonight?”
He wanted to, Lord how he wanted to, yet Daniel knew she needed time to grow comfortable around him.
“Not tonight, Duchess, go to your bed and I shall see you in the morning.”
He watched her go, following the sway of her hips and then she was gone. Shaking his head, Daniel poured himself another drink and went to stare into the fire. He thought to find his timid, dowdy duchess threatened and scared by Huxley, yet he had found a woman whose beauty rivaled many, a woman who still feared yet had grown strong enough to face those fears. A woman he now wanted.
CHAPTER FIVE
Eva usually woke early and this morning was no different. After a night spent tossing and turning over her husband’s unexpected return and his reasons why, she was eager to leave her bed.
Pulling on a pair of Reggie’s breeches, she then stomped her feet into boots. Eva only wore the breeches in the morning when she was sure no one would see her. Riding astride was wonderful, yet she was not foolish enough to do so at any other time of day. Buttoning up the jacket from her riding habit, she quickly plaited her hair and tied a ribbon around the ends. She didn’t think her husband or Lord Kelkirk would rise until late morning, so there would be plenty of time to change before she saw them again.#p#分页标题#e#
She tiptoed down the stairs, walked to the front door and picked up the small basket sitting beside it, then opened and closed it softly behind her. The sun was beginning to rise and the ground smelt fresh and crisp as Eva made her way to the stables. She had tried to persuade Holby that she was more than capable of saddling Posy and that he could stay in bed but he would not hear of it. Therefore it was a blurry-eyed boy that greeted her as she walked into the stables.
“Good morning, Holby.”
He mumbled something which Eva knew from experience was his greeting. She did not engage him in further conversation, but once he had finished tightening Posy’s girth, she handed him the piece of jam and bread she had Mrs. Stimpel place beside the front door every morning.
“Thank you, Holby. Now go back to bed.” Eva gave the boy’s arm a gentle pat as she nudged him toward the loft he had crawled out off. Minutes later, she was leaving the stables.
Little puffs of white formed in the air as Posy snorted her pleasure at the exercise she knew she was about to have. Eva had ridden many of the vast acres that made up Stratton and she never tired of her morning rides. Sometimes she rode up hills, other times she followed the stream. There were tracks she galloped down, too, and this morning, she chose one of those. Gathering the reins, she gave the mare a gentle nudge with her heels and she sprang forward. Eva loved the freedom of galloping - the wind in her face, just her and Posy as they raced over the ground. She laughed as Posy stuck out her neck, eager to run and stretch her long legs.
Sleep had not come easy to Eva last night; visions of her husband had filled her head. How long would he stay at Stratton? Would he stay until she had conceived? Did he really want a child?
Her brothers had told her in detail exactly how a man got a woman with child. They had used foul language and descriptions of the act, then told her all she would need to do was lie still until it was over. No husband wanted a wife for any other reason than breeding; anything else was left to his mistress.
What would it feel like to have the duke’s big body lying on top of her? Eva knew it would be painful when he did what had to be done - her brothers had relished telling her that fact - but she also knew that to have a child, she had to do what was necessary.
Veering right, Eva directed Posy onto the path that ran between the trees and urged her over a fallen branch. Splashing through a puddle, they thundered along the shadowed route. Bending low over the mare’s neck, she let her go. Posy knew exactly where they were going and Eva just held on, enjoying the ride. It was exhilarating and she felt the last of the sluggishness from lack of sleep leave her head. Minutes later, breaking free of the trees, Posy headed for the trail that led up the side of the hill. Reaching the top, Eva reined the horse in and walked to where she could see the village below
Smoke puffed from chimneys as slowly the little village roused. Eva imagined families waking and sharing their morning meal. Mothers would be dressing and caring for their children, a routine they took for granted. She would do that one day, care for her own child.
The church spire rose highest and she wondered if Miss Potter’s night attire was as outrageous as her day wear.
Eva thought of Reggie and how he would love to ride over Stratton with her. He was never far from her thoughts and she vowed now the duke was back that she would discuss getting him here where he was safe. She would get him a tutor and then he would go to university as he had always wished to do. She just needed to pick the right moment, one when the duke was in an agreeable mood, preferably.