Page 86 of Love, the Duke
Epilogue
MAN’S PRACTICAL GUIDE TO APPREHENDING A THIEF
SIR BENTLY ASHTON ULLINGSWICK
The real thief isn’t usually your first suspect.
The midsummer sky was a beautiful dusky shade of blue, and the air so warm and velvety Ophelia hadn’t bothered to bring a wrap or gloves to match her cap-sleeved, lightweight cotton dress. The open-topped landau rumbled, waddled, and bumped along the terrain of Hurstbourne Estate with no road, trail, or ruts to follow. She didn’t even mind the tepid, breezeless air. Her short-brimmed straw hat and matching soft pink parasol protected her from the burning rays of the sun. But not even that heat could match the warmth that surrounded her when she sat close to Hurst.
They had left the manor house behind some time ago, and it was now out of sight as they headed up a gently rising grassy knoll. At the top of the rise, she saw a lush green valley below with a small pond off to one side and a large stand of forest trees on the other. Smaller sapling trees dotted the area near the water but not so many they obstructed the magnificent landscape of vistas and hardwoods in the distance.
“The view of your lands from here is stunning, Hurst.”
“It all belongs to the title, my love. I am merely a caretaker of it for as long as I am duke.”
“I know, but we could stop right here and enjoy our picnic and not go the rest of the way down. Not that I mind, but it’s so wonderful and peaceful to look at. Should we park here and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us?” she asked, excited about the idea.
Hurst chuckled. “We will, but not today.”
“All right,” she answered, a little disappointed as he continued to handle the horses with ease down the slope toward the pond. “Is that where we’re going to have our picnic?” she asked, pointing to a shady place near the water.
He turned to her and nodded as he put both leather ribbons in one hand and laid the other on her knee. She would never get tired of feeling the quickening sensations of his touch or being so close to Hurst with his body as warm as the sun that heated the back of her neck.
“My father and I didn’t come to Hurstbourne often. He and his uncle didn’t get along very well. But I remember coming to this place every time we were here.”
“I can see why you would want to. It’s a very tranquil setting. A quiet place to read or paint.”
“Or kiss?” he said with an inviting smile.
“Yes, of course,” she answered. “That too. And maybe even more than kisses.”
“I believe I had that in mind.”
“It feels very private and romantic here. Especially with the way the sunshine shimmers on top of the water. This was a lovely place for you to bring me on my first full day at Hurstbourne.”
“I was hoping you would approve,” he said, stopping the horses not far from the pond and under the shade of a group of small trees.
Hurst helped her down and reached into the back of the carriage, pulled out a blanket, and handed it to her. “You spread this while I get the hamper and fishing poles.”
“Fishing poles?” She gave him a delighted smile. “I didn’t see them.”
“Maybe the blanket was on top of them.”
She smiled again. “So you could surprise me?”
He bent his head and brushed his lips against hers in a soft, quick kiss. “The first of many while we are at the estate, I hope.”
“I like surprises and will look forward to more. So tell me, where should I spread this? Over there under the shade of that tree?” She pointed in the direction.
“You look perfect to me—I mean the spot looks perfect, so yes, that will be fine.”
Ophelia smoothed out the last wrinkle in the blanket as Hurst walked up with the poles and the basket.
While he made himself comfortable beside her and stretched out his legs, she took off her hat.
“Did I tell you Winston used to take me fishing when I was a little girl?”
“You told me your father gave him permission to teach you to swim, but I don’t believe you mentioned fishing.”
