James stuck his head around the door just as she finished tying her hair back with a ribbon. “If I don’t take you to the breakfast room, you could get lost in the labyrinth, never to be seen or heard again.”
When he led her to a small, sunlit chamber off the formal dining room, she chided him. “You make the design of Barons Court sound like a muddle, but it isn’t nearly the rabbit warren that is Woburn.”
“It was built only thirty- five years ago, whereas Woburn Abbey is ancient.”
They didn’t linger over breakfast. Though James had a healthy man’s appetite, he consumed his plate of gammon ham, eggs, and potato pancakes before Louisa finished her strawberries and cream. He gazed at her while she spooned the fruit into her mouth.
“Must you watch me?”
“I must. The dainty way you eat fascinates me. The way you lick your lips affords me untold pleasure.”
“You devil. You are deliberately trying to make me blush.”
He grinned. “And I am succeeding beyond all expectation.”
Louisa threw her napkin at him.
“Come, we’ve no more time for dalliance.” He jumped up and took her hand.
The huge stable block was on the opposite side of the courtyard. When they entered, she withdrew her hand from his and walked slowly past the long row of stalls that were being cleaned by a number of stable boys. “Where are the horses?”
James led the way to a half door. “They are out here.”
She joined him and gazed out at two spacious paddocks, carpeted with clover. Each held half a dozen horses, leisurely cropping the grass. “What a lovely picture they make. I’ll swear Irish clover is greener than English.”
“I’ve never heard you swear, Lady Lu.”
“I seldom swear,” she lied.
“But it’s one of life’s pleasures. I shall give you some lessons, so you can hold your own against me. Irish swear words are more lyrical than English.”
“How so?”
“Well, let’s see. You say shit but we say shyte.”
Lu began to laugh. “That’s deliciously lyrical. My repertoire of salty words is extensive. I have seven brothers who swear like sailors.”
He looked shocked. “Surely not Wriothesley?”
“You have a sly wit, Abercorn.”
“Follow me.” James walked farther back into the stables until they came to some box stalls. He opened the door. “What do you think of this animal?”
“Oh, she’s an Arabian. I think she’s absolutely lovely.”
“Good. Then she’s yours.”
Lu’s eyes widened. “Bloody hell!”
“I have another one in the next stall, but you wouldn’t be able to ride her until she foals. If it’s a filly, perhaps we should call her Lady Lu.”
Louisa pressed her nose to the bars of the next stall. “She could foal any day.” She couldn’t hide her anxiety. “Aren’t you afraid for her?”
“I don’t anticipate any difficulty. I’m looking forward to it.”
“But she’ll suffer pain, and the foal might die.”
James studied her face and saw her apprehension. He knew he must diminish her dread and imbue her with more confidence. “Giving birth is natural. Don’t harbor fear for her, Lu. I’ll be with her when the time comes.”
“I’m being fanciful.” She turned back to the lovely Arabian he had just gifted her with and ran an appreciative hand down her graceful neck.
James took a riding saddle from a nearby bench. “Why don’t you try her out?” He saddled the Arabian and held her bridle.
Louisa placed her foot in the stirrup, and as she mounted, the skirt of her riding dress lifted to reveal long green suede riding boots.
James rolled his eyes in appreciation. “Bloody hell is right!”
She tried not to laugh. “Behave yourself.”
“I’ll try. But I guarantee nothing.” He saddled a mount for himself and they cantered side by side through the parkland.
“Thank you for your beautiful gift. I will treasure her. Does she have a name?”
“Queen of Sheba.”
The way his eyes licked over her made her think he was alluding to her. She was secretly flattered and arched her neck. “Sheba is a perfect name.”
They reached the woodlands bordering the park. “These woods are carpeted with bluebells in the spring. I’m sorry you missed them. Their scent is intoxicating.”
“I’m glad the rhododendrons and azaleas are in bloom. The landscape is splashed with their brilliant colors. Can we ride into the woods?”
“You may do anything you please, but if you want to see wildlife, we should walk.”
James dismounted and came to her side. As he lifted her down, he once again rolled his eyes in appreciation at the sight of her knee-high green boots.
As they moved through the lacy ferns, they communicated in whispers. The woods were alive with rabbits, woodcocks, does and their fawns, and the branches above their heads were filled with buntings, yellowhammers, and other colorful song birds. Suddenly, with a great flurry of wings, they scattered. “We frightened them.”
James shook his head and pointed to a red kite that had swooped onto a high branch.
As they walked on, Louisa delighted in the pretty wildflowers and colorful toadstools. They came upon a pool in a small clearing that was fringed with rushes and lily pads. A pair of wood ducks glided across its surface, and a little green heron was catching fish. Butterflies flitted about and iridescent dragonflies skimmed the water.
“Oh, it’s like a wishing pool from a fairy tale. I can feel the magic.”
“Let’s both make a wish.”
She nodded eagerly.
He watched her close her eyes and saw the tip of her tongue touch her top lip as she concentrated on what to ask for. The picture she made was irresistible. James reached out and plucked the ribbon from her hair.
As her dark curls tumbled to her shoulders, her lashes flew up.
“What did you wish for?” He gazed at her hungrily.
Her breath caught in her throat. “I cannot tell, or it won’t come true.”
James stared at her mouth; then his eyes sought hers. “It’s no secret what I wish for, Lady Lu.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
“There’s plenty of room for your gowns in this wardrobe.” James stood in the doorway of the connecting bedchambers, watching Louisa unpack the trunks that had been moved into her boudoir.
“We have agreed on separate rooms,” she told him firmly.
“Lu, I’m offering the wardrobe. I’m not inviting you to share my bed.”
She tried not to blush but felt her cheeks grow warm. She hung a turquoise crepe gown on a hanger and tried to squeeze it into the overfull wardrobe. “Oh, very well, I shall accept your offer.”
“I won’t force you against your will.”
She knew he wasn’t speaking about wardrobes. He’s promising not to force me into his bed. “I appreciate your gallantry, my lord.”
James carried her half-unpacked trunk into the master bedchamber. He guessed she had retrieved her diary and hidden it away. He opened a couple of empty drawers in one of the mahogany tallboys. “You may have this one. I use its mate.”
When she carried some black lace undergarments to the drawer, he staggered back in pretended shock.
“You give me no privacy,” she accused.
“Tell the truth and shame the devil, Lady Lu. Your undergarments were designed to be flaunted. You have a most seductive taste in clothes.”
“Shyte! You have guessed all my secrets.”
James threw back his head and laughed. “You are a saucy baggage, Lu. I enjoy a battle of wits. You have given me a most enjoyable day.”
I’ve enjoyed it too. As she unpacked her fans, stockings, nightgowns, and dozens of other garments that made up her trousseau, she relived her busy day. After their ride, James had given her the grand tour of Barons Court. She had found the house as impressive as
its master. It had a magnificent hundred-foot-long gallery with a notable art collection that included portraits by Sir Joshua Reynolds, paintings by the Spanish artist Velasquez, and some rare drawings by Raphael. There were also some unopened crates of paintings that James had recently bought. She was curious to see what he had purchased but decided that would have to wait for another day.
There were two dozen bedchambers and a guest wing containing four suites comprised of bedroom, sitting room, and dining room. There also were nurseries, where Louisa did not choose to linger. But the kitchens were another matter entirely. They were not antiquated, like the kitchens at Woburn. They contained every modern convenience, and the delicious smells coming from the ovens were mouthwatering.
Louisa smiled as she remembered asking about some curious round things piled in a porcelain dish.
“Swatemates,” James had informed her. He picked one up. “Open your mouth.”
She decided to trust him and bit down into candied ginger rolled in castor sugar. “Oh, it’s a sweetmeat!”
James shook his head and whispered in her ear, “Swatemate.”
His Irish brogue sent a shiver down her spine.
She recalled that it wasn’t the first time he had caused her to shiver. Tonight they had dined in the small private room that opened off the spacious formal dining room. He held her chair then dropped a kiss on the top of her head. From the moment he took his seat across the small table, his dark eyes had never left her face.
He served her, choosing the choicest pieces of game and tempted her to try Irish dishes made from produce grown on their own estate. His teasing compliments were intended to make her laugh. His gallantry was designed to disarm her. His lavish attention was calculated to make her feel desirable, and it worked. Each time their hands accidentally touched, she shivered.
When Louisa finished unpacking her trunks, she glanced toward her boudoir.
To delay her leaving, James said, “How about a nightcap?” He moved toward the games table that held a small stone jug.
She hesitated. “I prefer wine to whiskey.”
“Oh, it isn’t whiskey. It’s Irish poteen. Better not try it,” he warned. “It is an exceedingly strong liquor made from malted barley and potatoes. Definitely not suitable for a lady.” He could tell she was tempted, so he added a potent lure. “It’s illegal!”
“Really?” Her eyes widened. “Then how can I resist?” She moved toward the table and sat down.
James poured them both a dram and handed her the small glass.
The first swallow took her breath away.
“I warned you it was strong.” James swallowed his dram in one gulp. Then he reached out his hand for her glass. “I don’t think you should finish it, Lu.”
Before he could take it, she took another swallow. She felt as if a lovely red rose bloomed in her breast. It made her feel warm and receptive. A warning bell went off in her head. He gave me the drink so he could take advantage of me. She licked her lips and remembered the feel of his kisses. It will take more than poteen to make me lose control of the situation. She lifted the glass and drained it.
“I did it!” She threw him a triumphant glance. “It wasn’t too strong at all.” She stood up and suddenly felt its full effect. She tried to take a step and staggered.
James reached for her and she thought he was about to take her in his arms. Instead he simply steadied her. “I think you are ready for bed.”
“I think you are right.” She threw an apprehensive glance at the wide bed.
“Let me help you.” James took her hand and led her through the adjoining door into her boudoir and sat her on her own bed. He hid his amusement and said solemnly, “Lu, I want you to know, I would never violate our agreement.”
Alone in her chamber, she managed to undress and get into bed. Her thoughts were fuzzy; she chided herself for being suspicious. Abercorn had no ulterior motive after all.
Louisa fell asleep quickly and began to dream. She was in bed with her husband. He kissed her for a full hour, starting at her temples, kissing her eyelids, then trailing his lips down the curve of her neck. His lavish attentions made her feel beautiful and desirable. She clung to him sweetly, inhaling his male scent. When his lips brushed against her ear, she shivered with pleasure.
I love you, Lu. His intimate whisper awakened her. She reached out to caress his cheek and realized she was alone in her bed. Her hand moved over the empty pillow beside her. Louisa heaved a great sigh, turned over, and went back to sleep.
“Lu, I can’t believe you’re still abed.” James pulled off her covers as he had done yesterday.
“You devil! I should have expected a repeat performance.” She sat up in bed and saw that he had brought a breakfast tray laden with food.
“I am Prince Galahad riding to your rescue.” His glance lingered on her breasts.
“Rescue me from what? I know better than to put my trust in princes.”
“Rescue you from the racket that will shortly ensue. I have carpenters coming to lay some flooring. Since they’ll be hammering most of the day, I thought I would show you our chain of pretty lakes.” He threw back the curtains and allowed the sunshine to spill into her chamber. “It promises to be a lovely warm day—perfect for messing about in water.”
“Messing about?”
“Take you for a row, among other things.”
He was clad in a white silk shirt and her eyes were drawn to his wide shoulders. He has the muscles of a champion oarsman. She tried not to picture him without his shirt, but it was impossible. “Among other things?”
“All right, I’ll confess. I’d like to teach you to swim. I want you to conquer your fear of the water, if that’s possible.”
“I’m not afraid of water!” she protested. “I’m only afraid of male louts who push me under.”
“Do you consider me a male lout, Louisa?”
“That remains to be seen. So far you have shown me only gallantry,” she admitted.
“Flattery, begod.” He picked up the tray and put it between them on the bed. “I brought us breakfast to save time, and the cook is packing us a lunch so we can eat out by the lakes.” He served her scrambled eggs and held a rasher of crispy bacon to her lips. Its smoky aroma was too tempting to resist. She ate it eagerly and took another piece.
“Greedy wench! Save some for me.”
She reached out and held a strip of bacon to his lips. Before he could bite down on it, she snatched it away. Then she relented and offered it again.
He grabbed her hand so she couldn’t pull it away a second time; then he proceeded to eat the bacon. On the last bite, his teeth came down on her fingers.
She drew in a sharp breath, anticipating the sharp bite, but instead James licked her fingers with his tongue. He smiled knowingly when she shivered. “Stop teasing!”
He lowered his gaze to her lush breasts; then he rolled his eyes in mock ecstasy. “On the contrary, Lady Abercorn, you are the one who is doing the teasing.”
“Since you are the one who pulled off my covers, you are the villain in this game. So suffer away, Lord Bloody Abercorn.”
James grinned with appreciation.
“Someday, if you practice long and hard, you may be a match for me.” Long and hard . . . o my God, I can’t believe I just said that. She felt her cheeks suffuse with a blush.
Eyes brimming with laughter, James focused on finishing his breakfast. When he was done he got up from the bed. “I’ll let you get ready. Whatever it is you put on under your dress, make sure it’s suitable for swimming.”
Thinking of the adventures to come filled her with eager anticipation. She opened a drawer to select a petticoat, and mischief bubbled inside her. I’ll make his eyes roll!
Because it was warm, Lu wore a plain cream linen dress for their ride to the lakes. James left off his coat and wore only his shirt and riding breeches. The blue sky reflecting in the water made the chain of lakes look like a sparkling necklace.
“Look, there’s an otter,” she said, pointing to the shallows.
“He’s a bold fellow. Look carefully and you should see his mate. They are bonded into pairs by summer.”
“Yes, there she is! I don’t know anything about otters.”
“The females are called queens. She’s a plump one. She’ll be giving birth any day.”
“Do they have litters?”
“No, usually just one pup, sometimes two. They are playful and highly intelligent. Look at the flat rocks at the edge of the water. If you watch quietly, you’ll see them dive for crustaceans, then carry them to the rocks and crack open the shells with a stone.”
“I enjoy watching wild creatures. They are so clever.”
He pointed to the branches of a willow tree at the edge of the water. “Do you see that raven? He’s so intelligent that he makes use of the otters’ skill. If a raven finds something with an extremely hard shell, like a nut, he will leave it on the rock and wait for an otter to crack it open for him.”
“It could be a female raven,” she pointed out.
“Yes, females are likely more intelligent than the male of the species. They certainly have the self-confidence to survive and make sure their offspring thrive.” James wanted Louisa to develop more confidence in herself. Though she tried valiantly, she could not always hide her vulnerability. Teaching her to swim would give her self-assurance.
They rode on and dismounted beside a rustic boathouse. “No need to tether the horses, Lu. They’ll enjoy roaming the bank of the lake and cropping the lush grass.” James removed their saddles and placed them under a shade tree. He opened the boathouse door and they went inside. There were two boats. One was a skull that he used for racing practice, and the other was a rowboat complete with crimson leather cushions. He got in first to hold it steady, then offered his hand in invitation.
Without hesitation she placed her hand in his and stepped into the boat. She sat down opposite him to watch his every movement. He placed the oars into the oarlock sockets, sat down facing her, and braced his feet.