Chapter Twenty-Three

“T here’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.

As they glided from the boathouse into the lake, he tracked a straight course without turning around to see where he was going. When he felt the hot sun on his shoulders, he removed his shirt. “If you like, I’ll take us through all three lakes.”

Lu gazed at his naked chest and rippling muscles. “Yes, I do like.”

“Rowing is great exercise, but it’s also good for the mind. The rhythm of the strokes brings a sense of peacefulness and lets you become one with your surroundings.”

Louisa sighed with pleasure as his long, slow strokes carried them smoothly down the lake. She noticed the shape of his strong hands on the oars and saw that he dropped his wrists at the end of each stroke, feathering the spoon-shaped oars so they glided over the surface. Rowing was second nature to him, and his technique wasted little energy.

“Careful, there are ducks behind you.” She heaved a sigh of relief as they glided past the boat without so much as a ruffled feather.

“Those are tufted ducks. We call them tufties ; they stay all year round.”

“Oh, they have babies . . . how sweet.”

“Everything has babies at this time of year. It is the order of nature.”

Louisa looked down into the crystal clear water and saw that it was teeming with hatchling fishes. When James rowed into the second lake, it was populated with swans.

“You are right, James. The swans are so majestic. I cannot believe how tiny their cygnets are. They look like little balls of gray fluff.”

“Before summer is over, they’ll develop brown feathers. They don’t start to get white plumage until their second year.”

“You are a true nature lover. It makes me happy that you are not a hunter.”

Like every other male in nature I’m hunting for a mate, and I have sighted my quarry, Lady Lu.

When they reached the far end of the third lake, James turned the rowboat.

“Don’t you need a rest?” she asked with surprise.

“None of the lakes is more than a mile and a half in length. Both ways adds up to less than eight miles.”

She laughed. “And I suppose you could row that far with one arm tied behind you?”

He grinned. “Of course not—we’d go in circles.”

As she watched his powerful arms, she was reminded of the dream she’d had last night. He held me in those arms and it made me feel beautiful and desirable. She lowered her lashes in a deliberate attempt to protect herself from the irresistible lure of the attractive devil. But even though she couldn’t see him, she felt the mesmerizing rhythm of his strokes and heard the enticing splash of the water. Her heartbeat took on the same exciting tempo as his compelling nearness threatened to overwhelm her.

When she glanced up and saw the boathouse, it broke the spell that held her in thrall.

James guided the boat inside, jumped out, and tied it securely. Then he reached out to help her alight. When she placed her hand in his with complete trust, he knew that half the battle was won. He picked up his shirt but didn’t put it on.

The sun was high in the sky as he walked beneath the shade tree to retrieve lunch from his saddlebags. “I worked up an appetite. Are you hungry?”

“That all depends on what you have to offer, my lord.”

James smiled a secret smile. “You choose the spot—sun or shade?”

“Sun . . . and let’s go closer to the water.”

He spread his silk shirt on the grass to protect her dress. When she sat down, he knelt and unwrapped a huge linen napkin to reveal crusty whole wheaten bread and soft homemade cheese. There was a string of spicy dried sausages and two russet apples. “It’s peasant fare, unlikely to tempt a lady.”

“It looks good to me. But then my tastes are not too refined.”

“That’s encouraging,” he teased. “Perhaps I still stand a chance.”

She ignored his beguiling words but could not close her eyes to the fact that he was wooing her. Louisa helped herself to some bread and cheese. “This is delicious.”

James poured them each a cup of blackberry wine. “I promise this isn’t as strong as poteen.” He bit down on a spicy sausage. “Try one of these.” When she looked skeptical, he goaded her. “You have to be adventurous to eat an Irish sausage. God knows what unthinkable porcine parts they put in it.”

She took one immediately. “I’m adventurous. I’ll try anything once.”

His eyes were alight with mischief. “I’ll hold you to that.”

“Cheeky Irish sod!” When she finished the sausage, she licked her fingers and picked up an apple.

His eyes never left her face as she bit into it with gusto, and laughed when the juice ran down her chin. When she finished, she stood up and tossed the core into the trees. “The deer will eat it. They enjoy apples.”

He reached into the napkin and pulled out something wrapped in tissue paper. He undid it and held out his hand. In the center of his palm sat a sugared mouse.

“Oh, James!” She went down on her knees and touched it with her finger. The love token had totally disarmed her. She took it to her mouth and licked it.

“Swatemate,” he murmured, his eyes on her lips.

She knew he was not referring to the mouse. I’m his swatemate.

He picked up his apple and lay back in the grass, enjoying the feel of the sun on his bare chest. When he finished it, he closed his eyes.

She stole a glance at him, and when she saw his dark lashes resting on his cheeks, she gathered the courage to allow her eyes to roam over his naked torso. His tanned skin stretched tautly over wide shoulders and the rippling muscles of his powerful chest. Once again her dream came back to her and she remembered exactly how it felt to be enclosed in his embrace and pressed to his heart. She felt drawn to him by an invisible force that was so compelling it was impossible to resist. Stealthily, she moved closer. She could smell his sun-warmed skin and see the faint shadow of his beard along his jaw. She reached out her fingers to touch the crisp black hair that curled on his chest.

Her hand stopped midair. Words he had said to her in the library at Woburn came back to her: Your jasmine stole to me some time ago. She knew he would be able to smell her perfume. Don’t play with fire, Louisa. She moved away from him cautiously, silently. Then she stood up and walked to the water’s edge, putting a safe distance between them.

Ten minutes later, James sat up. He had been fully aware of Louisa’s close proximity and her desire to touch him. He silently rejoiced and hugged the secret knowledge to himself. “Are you ready to swim?” he called.

She hesitated. If she backed out she knew he would think she had lost her courage. Worse, she would consider herself a coward. “Of course I’m ready.”

He tucked the remainder of their lunch into his saddlebags and pulled out a couple of towels. He joined her at the lake’s edge and removed his riding breeches. “Your turn.”

She glanced at his linen undergarment, removed her dress, dropped it onto the grass, and waited for his reaction. He didn’t disappoint her. He staggered in shock and rolled his eyes. Instead of the petticoat he was expecting, she stood before him clad in white drawers decorated with crimson ruffles. Her tiny busk was adored with red ribbon.

“If I’d known you were wearing such scandalous trappings beneath your prim and proper dress while I was rowing the boat, I would likely have capsized us.”

His teasing made her laugh. “Don’t pretend to be shocked, Abercorn. You are the one who believes my undergarments are designed to be flaunted.”

“You have extremely theatrical taste, Lady Lu. Are you ready for your water ballet?”

She giggled as she took his outstretched hand and waded waist deep into the lake. “Ooh, it’s cold.”

“A bit bracing when you first get wet, but you’ll soon get used to it. I think you should learn to float before you try to swim. Take a deep breath to fill your lungs with air, then lie back in the water. I’ll keep my arms underneath you so you won’t sink.”

She did as he instructed her, splashing about whenever she felt insecure, but kept at it doggedly. Never once did James allow her to sink or let her nose and mouth go below the surface. Finally she gained enough confidence to put her head back and float on her own. “I did it!” she cried.

“You certainly did. Take a bow, marchioness.”

“Let me do it again. Stand over there and be ready to catch me if I sink.”

She floated perfectly, and he applauded her performance. “You are ready for a swimming lesson. May I suggest the breast stroke?” He knew she had no idea that her white drawers were transparent in the water, so he made a valiant effort not to roll his eyes in appreciation.

He placed his hand beneath her chin. “Keep one foot on the bottom and pretend you are swimming. When you’re ready, lift your leg and kick.”

Louisa did it over and over, but each time she felt confident enough to lift her foot off the bottom, she began to sink. She feared her face would go under the water, but James supported her chin, never allowing her mouth or nose to dip beneath the surface.

“Do you think I’ll ever do it?”

“Of course you will. It won’t be long before you can swim from one side of the lake to the other. Before summer is over, we’ll be swimming with the otters.”

“Oh, James, is that really possible?” She was so engrossed in their conversation about the otters that she lifted her leg and forgot to sink.

“Sooner than you realize. You just swam at least a yard.”

In her surprise and excitement she grabbed him and clung on to him as she almost dragged them both beneath the water. Then she laughed with the pure pleasure of her achievement. “Let me do it again. Don’t help me—just let me sink.”

She walked about five feet away from him, then took a deep breath and stroked out toward him. He caught her in his arms and they laughed together. “I’m so clever!”

“You are very brave,” he told her to bolster her confidence.

“Clever and brave!” she crowed.

“A lethal combination.” He put his hands on her bottom and pulled her toward him. “I quite like messing about in water.”

She cupped her palm and splashed him until he removed his possessive hands to wipe the water from his eyes. Then laughing, she swam away from him. She did get water in her mouth and up her nose, but her fear was gone as she realized now that slipping underwater was no calamity.

The pair played, laughed, and messed about for another hour until the heat went out of the afternoon. When Louisa emerged from the lake she was covered in gooseflesh.

“I’m cold,” she said through chattering teeth.

James picked up one of the towels and began to dry her. He rubbed her arms and back and moved down to her legs. “Take your wet things off and put on your dress.” He held up the towel and gallantly averted his eyes to give her a smidgen of privacy. When her gown was in place, he slipped on his riding breeches. He rolled up her wet undergarments in the damp towel.

When he saw that she was still shivering, he wrapped the dry towel about her. He whistled for the horses and saddled them, but decided to take Louisa up before him for the ride home.

She pulled the towel about her shoulders and cuddled up against her husband. His body heat seeped into her, making her feel warm and also protected from the cool breeze.

They left the horses at the stable with a groom and ran to the house.

He followed her upstairs and took the towel from her shoulders. “Let me dry your hair.”

“I can do that.” He was still shirtless and, because she was determined to avoid further intimacy, she escaped into her boudoir.

James donned a shirt and dry breeches, then opened the adjoining door between their bedchambers. He saw that she was wearing a robe and had wrapped a towel about her head. “I have an idea. Why don’t I light us a peat fire, and we can have our dinner up here where we will be warm and cozy?”

Lu hesitated, but the lure of a fire was extremely tempting. The only reason I learned to swim is because I trusted him. James kept his promise. If I join him in the master bedroom, can I trust him not to violate our agreement? She decided to be bold and take a chance. “Will you teach me how to light a peat fire?”

She knelt at the hearth and James handed her a piece of newspaper. She scrunched it up and put it in the grate. He pointed to a box. “Make a pyramid with the applewood twigs.” He brought over an oil lamp and handed her a taper.

Louisa touched the lit taper to the twigs, and the scent of apples filled the air as they ignited. James pointed to the brass peat bucket, and she quickly piled the pieces of turf around the lighted wood. Then she sat back on her heels and held her breath.

When the pretty blue peat smoke began to spiral up the chimney, she gave him a triumphant smile. She pulled the towel from her hair to wipe her hands and a profusion of damp dark tendrils fell about her shoulders.

They dined in front of the fire and talked about the day’s adventures, which were all new and fascinating to Louisa. Because she took pleasure in observing the wildlife on the estate, he promised to show her the place where a sett of badgers made their burrow in the woods.

After dinner they played chess. “Lady Lu, I do believe you are cheating!”

“All my brothers and sisters cheat when we play games.”

“I warrant you are shrewd enough to win without stooping to deceit.”

She was flattered at his confidence and agreed to play again without subterfuge. She lost, of course, and playfully tipped the board, scattering the chess pieces. Louisa spied a bowl of chestnuts and took a long-handled copper pan from the wall. They knelt by the hearth to roast the chestnuts and then stretched out on the rug to enjoy them.

James peeled them and fed them to Louisa.

They talked and laughed until Lu began to yawn. He watched her in silent enjoyment. Her hair had dried in a hundred tiny ringlets that lured him to reach out and play among the curls. The tendrils spiraled around his fingers, clinging to him of their own volition, and he marveled at their silky, seductive texture. When he moved closer to take her in his arms, he saw that she had fallen asleep.