Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

24 December 1820

A ndrew woke with an energy he hadn't felt in years. And with little rest. Who needed sleep?

Life has a way of providing what one needs. You only have to pay attention and not let it slip through your fingers. Agnes's words had been echoing in his head all night.

He threw back the counterpane and dressed in his riding clothes. Bowman was just knocking at his door as he pulled on his Hessians.

"Am I late?" asked Bowman, surprised to see his employer up and dressed.

"No, I couldn't sleep, so I thought I'd just get up and start my day. I have much to do." He slid his arms into the riding jacket his valet held up. "I want to meet Nettie, er, Lady Annette for an early morning ride. Then I must speak with Beecham."

"I see. Any reason for the urgency?" he asked, taking out the clothes Andrew would need after his ride.

"Let's just say Aggie found a way to put my mind at ease. If Beecham doesn't mind my courting his daughter, then I'm pursuing her with all the enthusiasm of a hound after a fox." Andrew opened the door but paused at Bowman's words.

"Perhaps a bit more finesse than the average hound?"

Andrew chuckled as he took the stairs two at a time. At the landing, he paused. What if Nettie decided to skip the morning ride? He continued on with undiminished optimism. Then he'd work off some of this extra energy before breakfast.

Halfway down the path, he saw the same young lad leading Domino from the stable. The mare was saddled, and Andrew sighed with relief. "Could you saddle mine too, Joseph?"

The stable boy grinned and nodded, returning to the stable once Nettie's horse was secured to the tethering ring.

"I was hoping you would join me." Her throaty voice washed over him.

"I was hoping the same," he said, turning to greet her. She was wearing the same dark-gray riding habit with the claret fur-lined cape to protect against the cold morning air. "I wanted to talk to you."

"We're in unison with our thoughts, then. I wanted to talk to you." She smiled at the stable boy as he returned with Fortunate. "Thank you, Joey."

She led the mare to the mounting block, and Andrew held the rein while she mounted, a graceful movement that allowed him to admire her form. She leaned over and patted the horse's neck. "Shall we take the same route?"

"Anywhere your heart desires," he said. As long as it includes me.

They started at a walk, Joey far enough behind so he couldn't hear their conversation. "Have you ever met someone and knew, in that moment, you liked them?" Andrew grimaced at his awkward opening.

"I have. Many times, actually. I tend to believe a person's first impression is authentic." She tipped her head to study him. "I liked you right away."

His heart hammered. Maybe it hadn't been such a feeble beginning. "My pulse raced the first time I saw you on the landing, leaning over the banister while I stood in the entryway. You smiled at me, and I was mesmerized."

She blushed. "I was attracted to you that first day. May I ask you a question?"

He wanted to finish his little speech, but he found it hard to deny her. "Anything."

"How old are you?"

His heart plummeted. The age difference concerned her. "I'm forty-two. Is it a problem?"

"No. I thought you were older. Being the same age as my father, and being his friend, worried me. If he would disapprove, if you would think me too young. How old is your daughter?" she asked.

"Phoebe is nineteen, presents herself as a woman of the world, and is certain she knows so much more than her father." He laughed. "She's as strong-willed as her papa and just as outspoken."

"I'm not much older than she is. Does that bother you?" Lady Annette asked in a cautious tone. "Or what she might think?"

"I love Phoebe with all my heart. There's nothing I wouldn't do for her. I've raised a compassionate, clever girl who wants her father to be happy. She wouldn't deny me a wife of my own choosing." He stared at Nettie's profile, marveling at her beauty, her kind nature, her intelligence—his luck at finding her. "Would you count me as one of your suitors? Allow me to court you?"

Her smile lit up his world. "If we are to consider courtship, there is one other thing to determine first. Shall we have a gallop and lose our chaperon?" With that, she dug her heels into the mare and took off at a canter across the field.

Andrew grinned and followed, letting her determine the pace. When the hedge they'd jumped came into view, a knot twisted in his stomach. He spotted the fresh dirt ahead just as the mare stumbled in the hole. Lady Annette had just cued Domino to take the hedge, and when the mare went down onto her knees, the lady continued over the jump.

His blood froze as he pulled his rein back and brought his gelding to a stop. He leaped over the hedge and found her on the ground but sitting up. Rushing to her, he dropped to his knees beside her. "Is anything broken?" He could hear the panic in his voice.

To his surprise, she had the nerve to laugh. "We're supposed to let the horses take the hedge, not go over on our own."

Lord Weston stood and peered over the hedge. "Domino is fine, grazing and walking without a limp." He sat back and laughed with her, relief replacing the fear that had gripped him. "No major injuries?" He got back to his knees, examining her with his eyes. "Did you hit your head?"

"I was lucky enough to land on my backside and then roll. Nothing broken, but I'll be sore tomorrow." When she leaned forward to try to stand, she grimaced. "Very sore, I suspect."

"Stay where you are and catch your breath." Andrew sat cross-legged so he could face her. "You scared the devil out of me."

"That's a good thing, eh?" She blew at a strand of hair that had come loose and was hanging between her eyes.

Andrew reached over, held the piece of silk between his fingers, and tucked it behind her ear. It was as soft as silk, just as he had thought it would be. Nettie had gone still at his touch. Her huge emerald eyes stared at his mouth, then locked gazes with him. He felt desire stir low in his belly.

"You said there was one last thing to determine if I am to court you. What is it?" he asked in an almost-whisper.

"A kiss. We should find out if we are… compatible… in that way."

Andrew's self-control broke. He leaned forward, one hand cupping her cheek. His thumb stroked her satiny skin, her warm breath fanning out in white puffs in the chilly air. He brushed his lips against hers, a whisper of a touch.

* * *

Annette's heart threatened to pound out of her chest. She closed her eyes and knew, with the first meeting of their lips, she wanted this man. Nothing had prepared her for the tempest spiraling through her body as his mouth caressed hers. When he pulled back, she blinked, drawing in a long breath, and stared into his dark eyes. She tried to make a jest but couldn't remember what she had wanted to say, only wishing she could drown in the sweet pools of chocolate holding her gaze hostage.

"Nettie," he murmured, the use of her nickname starting the spiral of heat in her again. "Does that feel compatible?"

She nodded, knowing her lips could not form a word. This time, Annette leaned forward, her hand on his chest, and kissed the corner of his mouth, then the other corner, and finally a full kiss. It was just as dizzying the second time. She heard a little whimper as his tongue traced the seams of her lips and realized it was her own voice.

This seemed to be a signal of acquiescence, for Lord Weston pulled her onto his lap. Cradling her gently in his arms, he closed both of her eyes with his mouth, trailed kisses along her jaw, nipped at her earlobe. "We should stop this before the stable boy catches up with us."

Again, she nodded. But first, just one more kiss. Her arms went around his neck, and he bent his head, covering her mouth with his, asking for her to part her lips, and she did. His tongue swept in, and the beating of her heart seemed to echo lower, in her most intimate place. Annette ran her fingers through his thick auburn hair and knew her world had just changed forever. When she stood up, the innocent girl she had once been would disappear. A wiser, greedier, happier woman would take her place.