Was learning the truth worth her future?
“I think it’s an excellent idea,” she answered.
“Splendid,” Geoffrey said, his slow smile lighting his face. Once again, Liliana’s breath caught, but this time for an entirely different reason.
A thought occurred to her. “Since we shall be spending so much time together, would you prefer me to give you your solitude on your morning ride?”
Geoffrey’s hand tightened over her forearm, almost as an involuntary response to keep her with him. “Of course not. In fact, I have plans for us at dawn,” he said.
The pleasure that had uncoiled in Liliana earlier now spread through her, pushing out the unease. She couldn’t stop it if she tried. She told herself what she felt was due to him falling so easily in with her own scheme. Liliana let out a little breath. She wasn’t even good at lying to herself.
“If you still wish to join me, that is,” Geoffrey amended, looking anxious for her answer.
Liliana gave him her most brilliant smile, surprised to realize she didn’t have to fake it at all.
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
Chapter Seventeen
S
he was late.
Geoffrey strode another circuit around Amira’s stall. Of course Liliana wasn’t late. They hadn’t set a time to meet, after all, and the sun had barely pinkened the farthest horizon. It was only that he’d been dressed and at the stables since well before dawn, driven out of his bed by lustful dreams of the very woman he suddenly couldn’t seem to wait a moment longer to see.
Whoever would have thought the Allemande could be so bloody sensual? Why the patronesses of Almack’s thought they should dictate which young debutantes possessed strong enough moral convictions to waltz while blithely allowing anyone and everyone to dance the Allemande, he couldn’t say. The waltz was tame when compared to the slow glide of the Allemande—the touching of hands, the leaning so close one seemed enveloped by one’s partner’s scent…
Geoffrey cleared his throat. Indeed, an Allemande with Liliana had proven much more dangerous than a hundred waltzes with the likes of Lady Jane or Lady Emily. He supposed with the right person—
“Where is Mr. Richards?”
Geoffrey turned at Liliana’s soft question. Her hair was pulled back from her face, and her olive skin glowed against the white shirt she wore. She looked young, natural, yet more beautiful than any woman he’d seen. He drew in a deep breath, as if she were fresh air and he a man who’d been trapped indoors for an age. All of the nervous tension left his body, to be replaced by a low thrum of a different kind. Even covered completely in her scruffy boys’ togs, she had the power to arouse and titillate him.
“I told him to enjoy his bed,” Geoffrey said. Truth be told, he’d come down to the stables last night after the ball to inform Tom his services wouldn’t be needed this morning. Geoffrey had felt ridiculous as he’d tromped through the dewy grass in his evening finery, but he’d wanted Liliana completely to himself. “I am perfectly capable of saddling a lady’s horse.”
“As am I,” she murmured. “But thank you.”
Geoffrey imagined that Liliana was perfectly capable of many things. Unfortunately for his rioting senses, each of those imaginings revolved around her luscious body and how she might use it to please him. He wondered if she even understood just what she was capable of.
More and more, he wanted to show her.
“What do you wish to show me today?” she asked, walking over to softly stroke Amira’s nose.
Geoffrey started. Had he said that aloud? “I’m sorry?” he said, feeling as if he should apologize for the lurid turn his thoughts had taken, even if she was oblivious to it.
“You said last night you had plans for us. Did you wish to show me another bog?”
“Oh,” Geoffrey said with a relieved laugh. He really must get control of his wretched libido. “No, something altogether different. Do you feel up to a longer ride this morning?”
“I feel up to anything,” she said, and though he knew her words were uttered in complete innocence, he had to turn away lest she see the evidence of desire they evoked.
Geoffrey set the pace as he led Liliana toward the easternmost edge of the Wentworth lands. While the pace was far from the vigorous race of yesterday morn, he still kept up a brisk trot. There was much he wanted her to see and the sun was already edging the sky. They’d nearly been caught out yesterday, since they’d returned to the house later than was wise. Liliana would have certainly been compromised, leaving him no choice but to marry her.
And would that have been so bad?
Geoffrey mulled the question his mind tossed at him. His body tightened painfully and he rolled his eyes. It seemed at least that part of him was ready to admit he desired a union with Liliana.
Geoffrey tried to push the idea out of his mind. He was just gently exploring the possibilities. He didn’t have the time or attention to devote to securing a bride, what with the vote on the Poor Employment Act coming up, a blackmailer to be uncovered and the Wentworth finances still to be sorted.
But he slowed his horse a bit all the same.
As the ground became hillier, a new excitement rose in him. It was as if he were a lad again, anticipating a visit from Saint Nick. He wasn’t certain when he’d decided Liliana would be the first to see his plans for employing ex-soldiers right here at Somerton Park, but as they neared the mine site, he knew he’d chosen well. He certainly had no desire to share this moment with his mother, and Joss had proven not to be a good confidant, either. Nor could he imagine someone like the perfectly biddable Lady Jane by his side.
He looked over at Liliana, riding beside him in companionable silence, the breeze blowing through her loosely tied-back hair. She’d dispensed with the cap after that first morning, a fact he very much appreciated.
An ache pierced his throat. He also appreciated her presence. It was a sad thing, to have no one to express your dreams to. Maybe it was just as sad that he had only a virtual stranger by his side, but he didn’t feel that way. He felt grateful.
How nice it was not to have to put on airs, not to have to be the earl or the war hero or the politician or anything other than just a man enjoying his morning. His shoulders relaxed and his face split into a wide smile of contentment.
“What?” she asked, a bemused smile riding her face.
“I was just thinking how nice it was to be with someone who wanted absolutely nothing from me but my friendship,” he said, deciding on frankness. “You’re a refreshing change, Liliana.” He held her gaze and found himself saying, “One I could get used to.”
Her smile froze, her eyes turning downward. Alarm clenched his gut. Damn. She didn’t look comfortable with his admission. Indeed, she looked much like he imagined he did when cornered by marriage-minded debutantes. He’d need to guard his words better so as not to push her away.
They continued to the summit of the hill in silence, then rode along the ridgeline, where distinctive outcroppings of rocks marked a change in the landscape. Farther up the ridge, Geoffrey located what he was looking for. Wooden posts and steel chains dotted the ground where surveyors had marked the most appropriate and safest places to drop the mine shafts. Satisfaction stole over him at this tangible sign of his plan coming to pass.