Winter Wishes: A Regency Christmas Anthology Page 9

  They reached the entrance to the large stable block and Daniel’s body hummed when he saw the mistletoe hanging above the large barn door. He slowed his step and pulled her to face him, pointing upwards as he did.

  “Don’t be ridiculous. I am not going to kiss you, I hardly know you. Besides because of you, my plan is ruined.”

  “I can’t help the fact your plan was a terrible one. For all you knew, Rufus might have wanted to show Apollo off to his visitors. The estate is large. Did you really think you’d be able to slink in and out unaided?” He pulled her closer. “As to a kiss, a chaste peck is often the norm, but a more passionate kiss would be appropriate considering I saved you from facing Michael’s wrath.”

  She raised a face filled with alarm but also desire. He could read it easily in her expressive eyes. “Now then,” he said smiling, “a kiss is a thing to be shared, not given nor rushed.” Tipping her chin up, he gazed into those wide, luminous eyes and more than simple desire began to unfold—possessiveness—a sensation foreign to him where a woman was concerned. He felt, for a moment, as if he was gazing into the eyes of an angel, and he touched her smooth cheek with reverence.

  “Have you any idea,” he murmured softly, “how enchanting you are? Tell me your name.”

  * * *

  The way he spoke those words, combined with his touch and the kindness he’d done her this evening, had the seductive impact Georgiana had dreaded from the moment she’d looked into his handsome face.

  When he’d lain atop her, all hard muscle and withheld strength, she felt as if she were beginning to melt and float inside. As his head bent and his lips drew near, she couldn’t pull her gaze from his hypnotic green eyes, and worse still, she didn’t want to try.

  “Georgiana,” she answered breathlessly as his lips drew closer.

  When his lips took hers in a kiss, she knew that it was going to be nothing at all like the chaste kisses she’d experienced hidden behind the potted plants at countless balls. At twenty she’d experienced her fair share of innocent kisses. His mouth slanted over hers with fierce tenderness, while his hand curved round her nape, his fingers stroking her sensitive skin along the collar of her shirt, and his other arm encircled her waist pulling her tightly against his hard, hot, body.

  Lost in a sea of pure sensation, Georgiana slid her hands up his muscular chest to wrap her arms around his neck, clinging to him as if her world depended on her staying as close to him as she could. Desire unfurled deep within her at the feel of his erection and she clung tighter to him, sliding her hands down his back to his firm buttocks.

  He kissed her long and lingeringly, both gentle and persuasive. So when he touched his tongue to her trembling lips, this time coaxing them to part, insisting actually, she eagerly admitted him. His tongue slid between her open lips filling her mouth. His hand shifted from her waist sliding upward toward her breasts.

  He tasted of everything forbidden and everything she wanted.

  She barely noted the moan of encouragement that escaped her, above the pounding of her heart. Never had she let a man take such liberties and never had she wanted to let him. She hoped the kiss would never end.

  Just as she silently made her wish, Daniel’s hands left her body and he fell sideways, out cold on the cobblestones.

  “You were right, Baron. She didn’t come alone, however, I didn’t expect to have to save her from a kiss. A kiss she looked as if she was enjoying.”

  Georgiana chose to ignore Billy’s chastisement. She peered down at Daniel’s prone form. “He will be all right won’t he?”

  “Aye, he’ll have a sore head when he wakes so best we take our leave before he rouses. No chance of getting the colt then?”

  She bent down and reached out to touch Daniel’s face. He looked so young and less sure of himself as he lay on the ground, knocked out cold. She hoped he wouldn’t hate her. He was the first man she’d ever felt an ounce of grudging respect for.

  “No, the groom took him” she answered sadly. “We will have to find another way to retrieve the colt. He knows who I am and why I’m here.”

  As Georgiana and Billy, her groom, slipped quietly away through the outbuildings, to find the horses they had tethered several miles east of the Earl of Hascombe’s estate, she thought over how her plan had gone so badly wrong. As she mounted Black Devil for the ride back to her father’s estate, she tried not to let her despair cloud her head.

  She would get Apollo back, and now that she’d met Baron de Winter, she realized he was the perfect foil in her new plan.

  She prayed that next time her idea wouldn’t go so horribly wrong, as she would pay a much higher price than just a kiss. Just a kiss! Daniel’s kiss made her dream of sandalwood and spice—all things wanton and terribly nice.

  Chapter 2

  It took three days for Daniel to get his good humor back and for his pounding head to stop hurting. Christmas was creeping nearer and he had yet to do any shopping, but Rheda refused to let him get up until the doctor had approved.

  His pride was now hurting more than his head. The embarrassment of a young lady getting the drop on him was at least his secret for now. He had a mind to call on Lady Georgiana Marsh and—what exactly? He didn’t want to get her in trouble or put her reputation at risk. Rheda’s reputation had suffered and it had almost cost her life. He just couldn’t do that to another woman.

  He’d just finished a wonderful ham and egg breakfast when Rufus strode into the dining room and asked, “I wondered if you’d want to accompany me to Newmarket? It’s the last few days of the foals and yearlings sales, we could both pick up some much needed stock.”

  He could almost kiss Rufus. He was about to accept gleefully when Rheda added, “Only if you take the carriage. The doctor says no riding for at least another week.”

  Rufus’s chuckle inflamed his anger. “I am not going to Newmarket in a carriage like an old woman. If I go I shall ride.” He stood up from the breakfast table almost pushing his chair over.

  Rheda also rose to her feet, eyes exactly like his flashing in anger, and to his horror, fear. “Please, Daniel. It is only a few more days before you can ride again, and I love you too much to see you permanently damaged. The doctor warned you. You have had so many concussions from falling from horses you need to be careful. You can come in the carriage with me. I promised you a Christmas present of horseflesh. We shall go and select you a new horse.” She flashed her husband a warning look. “We will all go in the carriage.”

  Rufus looked about to argue but one stern look from his wife had him shrug his shoulders at Daniel. “I’ll get the carriage readied. I want to leave within half an hour.” With that he left the room.

  “I know you think I’m fussing but what that horse thief did to you… You could have died from that blow to the head. I don’t want to lose my little brother.” Daniel moved to hug his sister when he saw the tears forming in her eyes. Why did women always overreact?

  He had not told anyone who had attacked him. He would work out how to get Lady Georgiana back in his own way. In a way that would have her groveling at his feet. “I suppose I can give up my joy of riding for a few more days if it keeps you happy.”

  She laid her head on his chest. “Your niece and nephew would miss you too if you’d been... I wished you lived closer. Sir Bacon’s estate, about ten miles from Newmarket is for sale. You could sell Tumbury Cliff Manor and move your horse breeding business here.”

  He stiffened. He loved his home and stables near Deal, Kent, and his sister knew that. “You fought so hard to keep our home for me. Why this sudden need to have me near?” He pushed her out of his arms but she would not look at him. She turned away and tried to laugh it off.

  “Just a big sister missing her brother.”

  Fear slid quickly down his spine. “What is wrong, Rheda?” He reached and swung her to face him and saw tears sliding down her cheeks. “Rhe?” He couldn’t remember the last time he’d ever seen his sister cry, not even when she’d
been beaten to within an inch of her life. He looked at the beautiful, mature woman standing before him, her red hair still as vibrant as any young debutantes, and for once he did not see the fiery temper that always marked their arguments. Rheda had never been scared of anything but when he looked into her green eyes so similar to his all he saw was fear and it made his breath catch in his throat. “I have to have a small operation in the New Year.”

  He pulled her back into his arms and hugged her tightly. “Why? What?”

  “I have a small lump in my breast and they want to remove it just to be sure.”

  Now he understood why she wanted him to stay. She was scared.

  Was it a tumor? His body was awash with pain; pain from the blood trying to flow through his veins but it had turned to ice. He knew if it were a tumor his sister would most likely only have a few years. “Why didn’t you tell me? I shall of course stay until you are well.”

  She burst into actual sobbing. “If something happens to me, if it is a tumor and I get sick, promise me you’ll move near to Rufus. He’ll be lost without me, and the children will need you too. You will have to help Rufus go on with his life.”

  At that moment he would have promised her anything—everything. He wished it was he who was sick. Rheda had a family who loved her. He had no one—no one but her! If he lost her…He hugged her tighter. “You will be fine, it could be nothing. You’ve never let anything beat you and I won’t let you start now. Let’s just focus on you getting well.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead as she wiped the tears off her face.

  “Don’t let Rufus know I’m scared. He’s trying to be so strong…Some Christmas. A thief has attacked you, and now I’m dumping my fears on you. I’m sorry.”

  “I would have been cross if you had not told me. Besides, it’s not your fault someone hit me over the head. I will stay here until we know this lump is nothing. If I stay I can help Rufus find out who tried to steal Apollo.”

  She smiled through watery eyes. “Just knowing you are here helps me face what is to come.”

  He didn’t want to think about what she faced. Something of his fear must have appeared on his face because she said, “Rufus has got me some morphine to help with any pain from the surgery. They use it on the horses.”

  He nodded but his fear did not leave him.

  She reached up and cupped his face. “Let’s go and enjoy the day. We have some horseflesh to peruse. Is there anything in particular you want to buy for Tumbury?”

  How could he think about horses after this? But he saw how much she wanted to take her mind off her situation. “I’d love to find a colt like Apollo. He’s a beauty and would breed amazing cavalry horses.”

  “Why don’t you ask Rufus to sell Apollo to you. He only got the colt because the Marquis of Wentworth lost big at the 2000 Guinea race and he took Apollo in payment of the wager debt. I’m not sure he really needs the colt.”

  “He’d part with Apollo?” Revenge reared its head. Oh, he would love to own what Lady Georgiana wanted.

  “Who’d part with Apollo?” Rufus asked upon entering the room. He immediately went across to his wife and put his arm around her. Obviously she could not hide the fact she’d been crying.

  “You would. Daniel thinks the colt will produce fabulous cavalry horses.”

  Daniel was excited by the idea, forgetting all about Georgiana. “I do need new breeding stock. It could be economical to buy a new stallion rather than pay stud fees. I could also put him out to stud and earn more.”

  Rufus looked at Rheda and smiled. “You’re welcome to buy him off me.”

  Daniel scratched his head. He did have some savings and he could use the money set aside for stud fees since he’d use the colt instead. “What is the colt worth?”

  Rufus looked at Rheda and the smile they shared made him yearn for such a relationship. His sister and her husband were as one. When he married he would marry a woman who thrilled and complemented him completely. He did not need money and power. He loved his life in Deal, Kent, with his horses. He wanted what Rufus and Rheda had—a true partnership of hearts and minds.

  “Actually, it would make a wonderful Christmas gift. Saves me having to find you something else.”

  So lost in his thoughts, Daniel barely registered Rufus’s comment. He unfolded his arms. “I can’t accept Apollo as a gift. He’s far too valuable.”

  “It can be from Rheda and me. I’d rather see you have your own stud breeding program than bother training him.”

  That was a lie. Daniel looked at Rheda, torn at such a generous offer. They both had offered to provide more capital for him to see his horse breeding business prosper but he always declined. Rheda had done enough already. It was time he built his own future. “Ah, about Apollo, there was something I wanted to talk to you about the colt. I met someone who indicated Lord Wentworth had no right to give you the horse as repayment for his debt.”

  Rufus’s head swung to face him. “Who said that?”

  “No one of significance. Did Wentworth own Apollo?” Daniel asked again.

  “Of course he did. I was at the yearling sales when Wentworth’s late father-in-law bought the colt just over a year ago.”

  Interesting. Georgiana had mentioned it was a gift from her grandfather. But perhaps it was simply something a man said to his granddaughter. “Then I would be humbled to receive such a Christmas gift.”

  Rheda laughed and moved to hug him. “You don’t look that happy about it.”

  He wasn’t, because of his encounter with Georgiana, but he did not wish to expose her as the ‘almost’ thief. “I’m only thinking that now I have to find you both an incredible gift in return.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. Simply having you stay with us is gift enough.” And Rheda squeezed his hand—hard.

  He knew what Rheda was referring too and he would stay until he knew for sure his sister would be all right.

  “My lord, the carriage is ready.”

  Rufus thanked his butler and they waited in the lobby for Rheda’s maid to fetch her cloak, hat and gloves. Though it was a clear blue-sky day, the wind had a bite to it.

  During the carriage ride to Newmarket, Rheda quizzed Daniel on his gifts for his nephew and niece. He refused to tell her, partly because he wanted them all to be surprised and partly because he wondered if Rheda would approve.

  The men left Rheda and her lady’s maid in the town to do more Christmas shopping and strolled to the stockyards and stables. Rufus bought three new yearlings and Daniel one. They had a beer with some of the trainers before deciding to head back to town.

  They had just reached the outskirts of the town when a carriage drew up beside them. “Lord Hascombe, been at the sales?”

  “Lord Wentworth, I have indeed. Even bought a few fillies. My brother-in-law bought one too. May I present Lord de Winter?”

  The Marquis merely nodded his head at Daniel. “Have you time to come and see a stallion I’m selling. It’s over in the yard by the first stable block.”

  Rufus shook his head. “I’m off to meet my wife, and escort her home. I have all the stallions I need for now.”

  “Then you and your lovely wife must come to dinner this week. How is Thursday?”

  It was obvious that Rufus did not wish to attend. “I’d love to, Wentworth, however, we have Baron de Winter staying and—”

  “Bring him. By all means bring him.” The Marquis banged his cane on the inside of the carriage roof and it began to roll forward. “That’s settled then. See you Thursday.”

  “Damn. Damn.” Daniel heard Rufus mutter under his breath.

  “What was all that about. Why has the Marquis become so friendly? He lost Apollo to you. Plus if I recall, before you cleared your fathers name, he would not give you the time of day.”

  Rufus saw Rheda ahead and waved. “He’s in dun territory and will most likely want to try and sell me more of his horses.”

  “I might be interested in some if that helps.”

&nb
sp; Rufus sighed. “That would help, but be careful. While Lord Wentworth did have a wonderful stable of thoroughbreds, I’ve heard a rumor that he’s been secretly selling them off and fraudulently buying a horse of similar colorings and trying to sell them off as the same thoroughbred horse again and again, with false papers and all.”

  Daniel was no fool when it came to horseflesh. He could tell a hack from a thoroughbred from one hundred paces. “Fallen on hard times has he?”

  “The late Lord Upton was the real horse breeder. Lord Wentworth is his son-in-law. With Upton’s only child a daughter married to Lord Wentworth, he left the estate and horse breeding business to his son-in-law as it was not entailed. Unfortunately, Lord Wentworth is more interested in gambling on the horses than breeding them. Lord Upton must be turning in his grave. I don’t believe he knew the extent of his son-in-laws gambling debts.”

  This gave even more weight to Georgiana’s words that her grandfather gifted her the colt.

  If Georgiana was right, in good conscience he could not keep the horse and that would be a major blow. However, he might be able to convince Georgiana to let him put the colt to stud before handing him back, as Apollo was almost four years old.

  “I’m afraid it’s only a matter of time before Lord Wentworth and his wife and daughter will find themselves forced to sell the estate.”

  Daniel hadn’t noticed that they had reached Rheda until she added to the conversation, “I would not wish that on anyone, but if the estate did come up for sale, it might be an option for Daniel. I’d love him to move closer to us.”

  Daniel wondered where Rheda thought the money would come from. He must have shown it on his face for she said, “Tumbury Manor could be sold. It would be enough to buy the Upton estate Rufus tells me.”

  That is when it hit him like a rampaging bull and all joy in the afternoon outing died. Rheda believed she was in grave trouble. Rheda and Rufus had discussed this, and were serious about him moving closer. As soon as he could get Rufus alone he would get the truth from him about Rheda’s condition. Was she hiding something more from him?