The Last Duchess (The Lennox Series)(82)
“Not at all, for surely you comprehend I enjoyed it as much as you?”
“I gathered that, yes.” He sat up and nudged the mare close to the gelding before he lifted Jane and replaced her in the saddle. While she gathered the reins and adjusted her skirts, he fastened his breeches. “I’m starving. We’ll have our run and return to the house for breakfast. Afterward, we’ll visit Crofton and he’ll give us an update on his progress.”
She trotted along beside him to the farthest north end of the pasture where they passed through another gate and out onto a narrow lane. He pointed to the east. “That way lies the road to the village. Perhaps one day this week we’ll go there for luncheon and visit some of the shops.”
“I’d like that.”
He pointed to the west. “This direction leads to the lane we traveled yesterday. It’s a nice distance for a run, I believe.” He glanced at her. “I’d prefer to forego a race this time, and merely enjoy a run, if that’s acceptable to you.”
She grinned at him and allowed the gelding to prance a bit. “Admit it, Blix, you’re determined to remain the victor as long as possible.”
His superior look and raised brow were all the answer she needed.
“Very well, we’ll wait for Grendel and Pendragon to end their courtship and come back to us before we race again.”
“Have you considered she might not be so anxious to beat him next time out?”
“On the contrary, after he’s bested her in yon pasture numerous times, I imagine she’ll be ready to trounce him soundly.”
Blixford moved closer. “Is this how you see it, Jane? Are we males merely besting females when we convince them to lay with us?”
“What a novel thought. It bears considering. Generally, females are not forthcoming of their own volition, but insist they be wooed. It’s his instinct to impregnate her, and her instinct to seek superior seed, which would belong to the male best able to win her, whether through fighting other males, sheer persistence, or in the case of humans, the man she most admires. Once won, she then expects to be coaxed and wooed into submission. Because he is driven to it, he does whatever is necessary to have her. What do you think?”
His brows raised slightly. “I think I never before realized how much I hold in common with a horse.” His eyes traveled the length of her before returning to her face. “’Tis true, it would seem, that I’m driven to have you, Jane. It’s not my nature to be this amorous, but I find myself wanting you constantly.”
“Whatever do you mean, it’s not your nature? You’ve been misled, sir, for at your core you are a deeply sensual and passionate man. One need only watch you eat to ascertain the truth to it.”
“I beg your pardon? How have we gone from sexual instincts to dining?”
“You carefully avoid certain foods, I suspect because the texture is not pleasing to your tongue. I noticed you bypassed Cook’s yams and focused upon the steak and trifle. Every bite you take is enjoyed and relished, much as every sip of wine is fully appreciated.” She settled the gelding and came up beside him. “While I lay between sleep and awake, I’m aware of you there, stroking my skin, unconsciously, because you enjoy the feel of it against the tips of your fingers. As to carnal instinct, perhaps you’ve never encountered your equal and this is why you assume yourself only prone to amorous urges when climbing into bed with a willing female. I am not merely willing, but enthusiastic. As I said, I find you fascinating.”
“Am I not required to woo and coax you then?”
She laughed. “Of course you are, and do so, quite well, obviously. Only consider my anxiety, less than four and twenty hours ago, and now I have just made love to you atop a horse.” She eyed him appreciatively. He really was quite handsome, Roman nose and all. “You are remarkable, Blixford, though you seem unaware.”
His smile was wry. “I suspect you’ve a skewed opinion of me, Jane. For whatever reason, you see only my finer qualities, while blind to my lesser ones.”
“Oh, pish! What lesser qualities? Granted, you’re judgmental, crotchety at times, haughty, arrogant, and determined to keep others at a distance, but so what? Who among us isn’t attached to less than sterling characteristics? To my mind, it’s the man whose excellent qualities far outweigh the others that is worthy of my admiration. You are patient, kind hearted, exceedingly handsome, masculine and fearless, and tremendously loyal. You’re also very adept at kissing.”
“Crotchety? Am I?”
“Definitely. Although to be fair, I believe it’s a condition pervasive amongst males. When they are tired or hungry, they become crotchety. Feed them, give them a rest, and they’re back to their jolly selves again.”