A Duchess Enraged (11 page)

“Your horse is too
green to be racing in these open fields,” she said as Adam came even with her.

Surprised she had noticed,
Adam could do nothing but agree.

“He is just 3 years
old, and while he is well trained and good natured, you are right, he needs a
great deal more time in the open to be trustworthy.”  Allegra slowed to a trot,
and looked over.

“I think he will make
an excellent hunter when he has more experience,” she remarked kindly. “He has
a well-shaped shoulder and good hind quarters. He should be able to go all day
and be clever with the jumps.” Adam knew that she was correct in her comments,
but was astonished at her rapid and casual assessment of his horse’s
capabilities. There was silence for a few moments as they trotted to the crest
of a hill, where Allegra stopped to admire the view over a small lake below.

“This is a very
lovely country side. Far more fertile than the north Yorkshire hills of my
father’s estates,” she remarked.

“It is good land to
be sure,” Adam replied, “and my father and grandfather have given it a great
deal of attention.” He twisted in the saddle to look at her as the started to
walk down the hill.

“You ride like you
were born in the saddle,” he said.

Allegra smiled
merrily, “There is little enough to do in the North Riding, and my father keeps
a very good stable. I don’t remember learning to ride, and have always spent a
great deal of time in the stables.”

"I truly believe
that the back of horse is your natural element, Allegra. I watched you quite
carefully, and very few men can bring as much from their mounts as you."

"My father, you
know, has a passion for the stables which is nearly as strong as his love of
gambling and drinking. As a little girl at Redecombe I often spent hours
loitering about the mews, hiding from my governess."

She smiled dreamily,
remembering those happy times, and Adam was struck by her extraordinary beauty.
"The grooms treated me kindly, and there was always time to help me with
my pony, or show me what they were doing to treat some injury or ailment. I
learned a great deal more from them than I did from Miss Wolsterly."

Adam digested this
information in silence, as it was in conflict with the images he had of her as
a terrified child, and as a flirtatious empty headed lady of fashion.

The horses trotted
sedately into the stable yard, the sound of their hooves echoing roundly from
the surrounding buildings, and Allegra smiled at Adam. "What a lovely
ride," she exclaimed. "And no critical biddies to tell me that a lady
does not gallop
ventre a terre
. Your mother was absolutely right that a
few days away from the racket of town would be delightful."

Adam, in the act of
swinging down from his horse as one of the grooms grasped the reins, did not
reply. He walked over to Allegra's mount, an attractive sorrel gelding whose
coat gleamed like copper in the sun, to help her dismount, and arrived just in
time to grasp her about the waist as she jumped down on her own. Her face was
flushed from her exertions and she was smiling joyfully. A sudden impulse made
him grip her close, allowing her to slide against his body as he set her down.
The increasingly familiar feeling of desire for his wife made his abdomen
clench, and instead of releasing Allegra he held her closer and looked down
into her beaming face with a smile of his own.

A wild notion of
kissing this suddenly soft Allegra crossed Adam's mind, but he banished it, and
released her. She felt an obscure regret when he did so, for the warmth and
strength of his arms had been very pleasant, but did not allow the feeling to
linger. The pair walked across the stable yard, boot heels ringing on the
ground, Allegra leading the way into the barn.

"Your father's
stables are truly remarkable, Adam. All of the most modern notions of equine
management have been implemented here. I am truly impressed."

They walked down the
aisle, past spacious box stalls, their doors gleaming with polished brass. The
oaken floor shone with daily washing and waxing, and sunlight slanted through
the dimness from the window in each stall, while the scents of horses and fresh
straw mingled pleasantly. The occupants were all sleek and well groomed, some
carriage horses, some hacks, and some tall and well-made hunters for the Duke's
use. Allegra drifted gracefully down the aisle, the long skirt of her riding
habit caught up over her arm. She patted a soft nose here, blew teasingly at
another horse, and spoke gently to a third. She obviously had a feeling for
them, and Adam was intrigued to see the tiny woman so at home with the large
beasts.

Toward the end of the
barn, several of the grooms were huddled at the door of a very large stall,
discussing the mare within in anxious tones. Allegra stopped to inquire about
the situation and learned that her foaling was not progressing as it should.
The mare was one of the late Duke's prize brood mares, imported at great
trouble and expense from Egypt. She looked into the stall and saw the horse
sweating and trembling, the liquid brown eyes in her sensitive face bulging and
rolling as she heaved to deliver the foal.

"How long has
this been going on?" she asked, her voice sharp with concern.

"Too long,"
the grizzled head groom replied with a shake of his head. "That foal
should have been on the ground an hour ago, but one of the babe's legs is in
the wrong position, and I don't know if the mare can deliver it. If it goes
much longer, I'll have to try to push the leg back, but with these hands,
'twill be hard on her." He thrust out his large hands, callused by years
of labor.

"I've done it
before," offered Allegra. "The same thing happened to one of my
father's mares, and the groom showed me how to help, because my hands were
small and fine." She pushed past the knot of men into the stall to examine
the horse. She touched the mare's shoulder gently and softly stroked the
flaring nostrils before feeling the mare's abdomen. Adam stood silent and
ignored outside, watching her.

"Get me an apron
and a bucket of fresh water," Allegra snapped. She stripped off her
fringed and embroidered leather gloves and began unbuttoning the jacket of her
riding habit, removing it to reveal a thin linen shirt. As she removed her hat
as well, a few curls escaped the severe coil of hair to rest on the collar, glinting
in the shaft of sunlight that lanced into the stall. The groom brought an oiled
linen apron to her and Adam stared to see his elegant wife transformed into a
stable hand. She rolled up her sleeves, and washed her arms and hands, then
with the chief groom to assist, set to helping the mare birth her foal.

The minutes stretched
out into a quarter and then half an hour, as Adam, now ignored, dawdled in the
aisle, with no more noise than the panting of the mare and Allegra's soft
commands. Then he heard a satisfied "Ahhh, that'll be it, Your
Grace," from the head groom, and Allegra responding indistinguishably. The
other men gathered around murmured their relief for the mare, and appreciation
of the lady's skill and pressed forward to congratulate her.

Adam peered into the
stall and saw his wife kneeling by a helpless foal, as it struggled to stand on
its hopelessly gangly legs, while its mother licked it clean. The mare gently
nuzzled Allegra's neck as if in thanks and she reached up to soothe the horse
with a gentle hand.

Five minutes later
she emerged from the stall with a smile and an air of satisfaction. "A
lovely filly," she said briskly. "And I think the mare is unharmed,
and can be got with foal again next year. A fortunate outcome. It is easy to lose
both mare and foal in these situations, but Parker is a very good
horseman."

Adam stared at her
silently, a confusing mixture of emotions roiling within him. Allegra was warm
from her exertions and a thin film of sweat shone on her forehead and her cheeks
glowed a gentle pink. Her rolled-up sleeves were marked with blood, and
droplets of water glistened in the muted light as they clung to her arms after
washing. The thin linen, damp from her efforts, clung to her body, and she had
removed the heavy apron as she prepared to leave the barn with the Duke, so he
could clearly see her lacy undergarments. He felt an unfamiliar mix of
emotions; pride in her abilities, pleasure that she cared for his property,
appreciation of the unselfishness that could make her come to an animal's aid.
In fact, he felt a most unaccustomed warmth towards his wife, and one which was
composed of emotions which diverged widely from the purely physical desire he
had experienced when he had kissed Allegra in London.

"Allegra,"
he said huskily, grasping her shoulder and turning her to him, "Thank you
for saving my father’s mare. I never knew that you were so ..."

 His voice trailed
off, and he looked into her dazzling eyes, then slowly, gently, lowered his
mouth to hers. He kissed her softly, but felt a volcano of heat building within
himself. He lifted his head briefly, and felt her soft mouth cling to his firm
lips, and kissed her again, harder, this time. He could sense that her passion
had been already stirred, and that it would burst forth with the same heat he
had seen previously.

Allegra felt the
astonishing mixture of sensations tingling through her body that she knew
Adam’s lips and hands could elicit. Her eyes flew open and she put one softly
protesting hand against his chest.

“The grooms will be
watching, Adam.” She murmured.

He immediately lifted
his head, and looked down at her with a gentle expression.
It was
obvious to him that Allegra possessed a depth of character he had not
previously suspected. He turned her gently towards him and draped the discarded
riding coat over her shoulders and they walked towards the house, her bright
head resting against his arm, his arm about her shoulders.

A Berry Ripe for the
Plucking

They entered the hall
thus, to be greeted with a quiet smile by the butler. Adam released Allegra,
and looked down at her questioningly. She looked very confused, but she smiled
at him.

"I suppose we
must join my mother for tea," said Adam.

"Yes, she will
be expecting us," agreed Allegra. "I should go change into something
more suitable."

She began to turn
away, and Adam stayed her with a touch on her arm.

"Allegra..."
he said.

"Yes?" she
replied, swinging around to face him.

Adam paused.
"Thank you again for saving the mare."

Allegra's eyes
dropped. "I could not stand by and watch her suffer, when I had the power
to help her, my lord." She walked slowly up the stairs, while Adam gazed
after her, trying to organize his confused thoughts.

They met again in the
sitting room. Allegra had changed into a charming gown and Emily was presiding
over the teacups. Adam entered, and immediately she looked up. As their eyes
met, Allegra colored and Adam smiled.

"What is
this?" asked Emily, delight in her voice. "Do I sense a thaw between
my son and his wife?"

Allegra grew even
redder. "It is merely that we had a pleasant ride this morning, Mama.
Gravesmere is so lovely that I could not help but enjoy myself."

"It's true,
Mother," said Adam teasingly. "Allegra seems to find Gravesmere
utterly charming, despite the company she is forced to keep."

"How unkind of
you to put words in my mouth, my lord," laughed Allegra. "Your son
was a most gracious companion, Mama."

The older woman
looked from one face to the other, and then broke out in a huge grin. "You
two are keeping secrets from me," she accused. "Yet I think I know
what they may be. Pray, how did this rapprochement come about?"

"It is simply
that Allegra is a woman of unsuspected talents, Mother," said Adam.
"I had thought her merely a charming face and a clever wit, but I find
that she is not only a notable horsewoman but an experienced stable hand as
well."

"And I have
discovered that my husband, when he is not scolding me, is a man of charm and
substance," said Allegra, not to be outdone.

"Well, this is
very good news, indeed," said Emily. "And I take all the credit for
myself. Didn't I say that the country was a fitter place than the city to spend
one's time?"

Adam took her hand
and kissed it. "As always, we bow to your superior wisdom, Mother."

Emily laughed.
"What a flatterer you are, Adam. But I'm very glad to see the two of you
being polite to one another. Civility is the basis for many a good
marriage."

"Perhaps, if all
goes well, we can move beyond mere civility," said Adam, his eyes meeting
Allegra's.

She dropped her eyes
and smiled. "Perhaps. But for now, civility is a most unusual and welcome
state."

Adam exerted himself
to be pleasant the rest of the evening, and Allegra responded with alacrity.
Under Emily's pleased eye, they laughed over dinner and played piquet in the
sitting room afterwards. Emily retired early, pleading fatigue, leaving Allegra
and Adam facing one another alone.

"Your mother is
an incorrigible romantic, Adam," said Allegra. "I fear she thinks
this new politeness between us foreshadows other developments."

"My mother had a
very happy marriage. She wishes nothing less for us."

"Alas, happy
marriages are not easily come by."

"Perhaps
not," said Adam. "But I think that if we can continue in amity,
perhaps we might achieve such a state."

"Do you? I can
only hope you are right." Allegra looked around, suddenly very conscious
of the fact that she was alone with her husband. "And now, I too must
retire. I have promised to visit the mare and her filly in the morning, and I
wish to rise early."

Adam offered her his
arm and escorted her through the lengthy hallways to the door of her room. She
paused a moment, looking up at him through her lashes.

"Good night,
Allegra," said Adam, placing a lingering kiss on her hand.

"Good
night," she replied, not knowing whether to be relieved or annoyed that he
stopped there. She entered her room and closed the door behind her, leaning
against it for a moment as she gathered her scattered thoughts. She eyed the
door that connected to her husband's room nervously, but she soon realized she
needn't have worried. It remained firmly shut all night.

If Lady Manning
haunted the dreams of both the Duke and the Duchess that night, neither made
mention of it the next day. Indeed, by the time Adam emerged from his room,
Allegra had risen, dressed, and gone to the stables. He found her there,
dressed in a simple riding habit, hatless, her hair already coming out of its
pins in gentle curls.

He paused at the
stall in which she kneeled, caressing the tiny filly she had aided the day
before. The foal, a sorrel, with four white socks and a blaze, seemed to be
composed of nothing but slightly unsteady legs and an inquisitive face. It
nuzzled up to Allegra under the watchful eye of the mare, who, surprisingly,
seemed to feel no concern about Allegra's approach to her baby. The foal's soft
nose rested against her blooming cheek, and the sorrel coat of the baby horse
and the red gold of the woman blazed together in a shaft of sunlight that
crossed the stall.

She looked up
suddenly to find Adam watching her, and she greeted him warmly.

"Good morning. I
see that you have found me out. I beg you not to tell London of my appearance;
my reputation as a fashion plate would never survive the picture of me clad in
grey, with straw in my hair."

"I will hold it
over your head unmercifully," promised Adam. "If you do not do just
as I say, I will tell the entire ton of your lack of fashion when in the
country."

"You are very
cruel, my lord. I may have to become the pattern card of a docile wife."

At that Adam gave a
shout of laughter. "You may be a pattern card of many things, Allegra, but
a docile wife will never be one of them."

She smiled ruefully
back. "I doubt I have the temperament for it."

"I have thought
a great deal about how to thank you for your care of my horses yesterday,
Allegra," said Adam. "Perhaps you will accept this little filly as
your own, in token of my gratitude?"

Allegra's eyes lit
up. "What a kind gesture, Adam. She bids fair to becoming a very fine
animal."

"What shall you
name her?"

Allegra thought for a
moment, caressing the foal. "A Sudden Gift, to be sure."

"A perfect
name." Adam watched her delicate hands as they stroked the filly, and he
felt a sudden tension build inside him. He looked away.

"And now, Allegra,
what do you say to a ride?" he asked abruptly. "My mother has ordered
that a luncheon be prepared for us to carry out on horseback, and neither of us
would want to disappoint her, I think. So we must ride out in order to consume
this repast."

"It's a sad
task," said Allegra. "But I believe it to be your filial duty to
please your mother."

"I'll have the
horses saddled then. Are you otherwise prepared?"

"Perhaps I
should change into something more presentable..." began Allegra, but Adam
cut her short.

"You look
utterly charming as you are." Once again the tight feeling in his stomach
seized him as he realized he meant every word he said. She was more than
charming, he thought savagely. She was alarmingly, even frighteningly
attractive. He tried to summon a picture of Louisa before his mind's eye and
failed utterly.

"Such
flattery," said Allegra, rising and shaking the straw from her skirt. She
gave Adam a curious look. He was behaving in a friendly manner, but there was a
tension about him as though something was bothering him. She hoped she hadn't
done something to annoy him. "I am sure I am a fright. But if you are
inclined to be seen with me so, then it can scarcely matter."

Two hours, after a
leisurely ride over the estate, the pair reined in their horses by the side of
a stream, its green banks scattered with pink flowers that ran down to the
water's edge. The water flowed by lazily, lapping over the stones in the creek
bed, and disappearing around a wooded bend.

"This looks to
be a likely spot to eat our lunch," said Adam. "Does it suit
you?"

"It's
lovely." Allegra glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. "And I
have been wondering for the past half hour what's in the basket your mother
sent with you."

Adam laughed.
"Then we must satisfy your curiosity, I suppose."

He climbed down from
his horse, lightly tying its reigns to the branches of an overhanging tree, and
then reached up to help Allegra dismount. She slid down from the saddle and his
long fingers closed about her slender waist, lifting her easily away from the
horse. He was amazed by her lightness and he paused for a moment before putting
her on her feet, holding her suspended in front of him. She met his eyes shyly
through the curtain of her long lashes.

"Is something
wrong?" she asked.

"No, not at
all." Adam hastily set her on her feet and stepped back. He swung the
basket down from his saddle and looked about for a likely place to sit.
"Do you mind if the grass is slightly damp?"

"I'll sit anywhere,
if you'll give me food," said Allegra lightly. "I'm famished."

"Then I imagine
this will satisfy you." Adam spread a blanket over the grass and then
lifted the cover from the basket and began to lift out a selection of dishes.
"Mother seems to think we need excessive nourishment."

"Oh, look,
strawberries," exclaimed Allegra, leaning forward to peer eagerly into the
basket. Her red-gold curls just brushed Adam's forehead and he jumped as though
burned. "How wonderful!"

Adam laughed to see
her passing up the elegant delicacies packed in the hamper by the artist of the
kitchen for the little red berries.

"Society would
be truly horrified now, Allegra," he said. "You are passing up the
finest viands for pieces of fruit."

"But they are so
sweet, and at this time of year, so rare!" said Allegra. She reached into
the basket and picked one up, popping it greedily into her mouth.

"My mother has
them cultivated in the hot house." Adam watched, mesmerized, as the red
berries disappeared between her lips. "She enjoys them almost as much as
you do."

Allegra looked up
from the basket with a guilty expression. "And I'm being greedy, my lord.
I suppose I must share them with you."

"On the
contrary, I would be loathe to take them from you. I'll have to content myself
with mere quenelles of veal."

He poured Allegra a
glass of wine and spread the rest of the food out on a cloth before them as she
ate the berries greedily with her fingers. Her motions were quick and delicate,
her hands very fine and white. She finished the last berry and took a sip of
wine, looking across at him with a hint of embarrassment.

"Now you will
think me merely a selfish child," she said. "And I have no one to
blame for that except myself."

"Selfish,
perhaps, but hardly a child, Allegra." Adam's eyes raked over her face and
down to her bosom, resting on the curves outlined by her riding outfit. He felt
the now-familiar surge of lust, and an urge to know if Allegra the sensual
creature he had caught a glimpse of the day before truly lurked under her
perfect exterior.

Allegra looked away
from his intent gaze. She suddenly felt very vulnerable, sitting on a blanket
with her hair blowing about her face. She realized that she had never been in
such a solitary position with a man before, and that the man she was with was
her husband. The knowledge did something strange to her, heightening her
awareness of him, reminding her of her childish dreams that they might one day
be a happily married couple, sharing all the things that a husband and wife
did. Her ease was replaced with tension, and her voice became suddenly
artificial.

"So you admit to
my selfishness, sir. I fear that I am not the perfect wife for you."

Adam looked up from
the glass of wine he was gazing into, a slight frown creasing his forehead. He
wondered what had happened to change Allegra's mood.

"I had no hand
in choosing you, Allegra, but daily I grow less sorry that you are my
wife," he said.

"Less
sorry?" she repeated. "How complimentary."

Adam shifted on the
blanket so he was closer to his wife. He could smell her gentle scent, and the
memory of yesterday's kiss sprang to his mind. "I didn't mean to be
unkind, Allegra. I only meant to say that I feel we can deal better together
than we have."

"And how shall
we do that, my lord?" she asked coldly.

"You can start
by relaxing," he murmured, placing his hand gently over hers. "What
has happened to make you so tense?"