Page 68 of How to Capture a Duke

In hindsight, he couldn’t blame Lady Vere for her fierce protection and loyalty toward her young sister. His marriage to Olivia had started out badly, and he’d planned to abandon his bride in the country within hours of their wedding vows.

“You should know that Ellie is the one who found Mr. Higgins,” Olivia said.

He was surprised, but he suspected Lady Vere did it to aid her sister, not him. She had no love for him.

Olivia stepped forward. “You said you trust Antonia. Do you trust me as well?”

He wasn’t one to trust anyone, but this was different. Her sister may have found Higgins, but he knew, without a doubt, Olivia had a hand in it. If it were not for his wife, he wouldn’t have met Higgins, wouldn’t have learned of his unique and helpful methods.

“In this I do.” He stood and walked to her. “To show my gratitude, I have something special planned.”

“I adore surprises.” Her lovely green eyes flared with anticipation.

His stomach tightened in response. Her eyes had that same look as when he’d first touched her naked breast, stroked a finger between her thighs. He’d never forget her throaty moans, the tremors of her body as she reached her pleasure, the taste of her…

God, he’d thought just a sampling of her charms would have been enough. How very wrong he’d been. He wanted her now more than ever before.

He took a deep breath, this time not to prepare to speak as he’d been taught, but to calm the thudding of his heart. “Would you like to ride Atlas today?”

…

Olivia was still stunned when they came to a stop outside Atlas’s stable. Her heart danced with delight when Tristan offered the reins of the black stallion to her. A groom had already prepared the horse with her sidesaddle.

“I thought only you rode him.” The horse watched her, his large, dark eyes taking in her every movement as she stroked his mane.

“I’m feeling generous today,” he said.

“Why? Because of your success working with Mr. Higgins?” She was still secretly thrilled that Tristan had agreed to continue to see the man and had given him a chance.

“Perhaps. Or perhaps I simply want to make my wife happy.”

Her eyes flew to his, and her heart skipped a beat. Something had changed between them over the course of the week. She still ate breakfast alone, and they hadn’t been intimate since that one time, but he treated her differently. With respect and gratitude, rather than distrust.

He lifted her onto the sidesaddle, his eyes never leaving hers for an instant. Then he mounted a brown gelding. Together, they crossed the street and made their way to the park.

Once they were on the dirt track, he turned to her. “You must move slowly,” he said, “but hold the reins firmly. Atlas can get skittish in the park. He is not accustomed to others riding him.”

The stallion’s size and strength thrilled her. Oh, how she longed to ride astride the animal, ride hell-bent-for-leather through the countryside. Instead, she enjoyed the walk beneath the shade of the trees on the track.

“He likes me,” she said as she patted his neck.

Tristan chuckled. “He likes the sugar cubes in your skirt pocket.”

“Hmm. I daresay I can’t help but remember the first time I saw Atlas in Rosehill’s stables. It was the first time I saw you. You were quite frightening.”

One dark eyebrow shot up. “And now?”

“Not so frightening.” Not physically, but emotionally. She was still pleasantly surprised he’d allowed her to ride his horse. It was more than just sharing the animal; it was a sign that he was growing to trust her.

They rode for the rest of the afternoon, until more pedestrians and riders began to arrive for the promenade hour.

“We should return before the track crowds with riders,” he said.

As they returned to Keswick Hall, two grooms took their horses and headed for the mews. A hackney was in the drive, and the door opened and Horace Higgins stepped out. “I was all the way home when I realized that I forgot some of my notes in your study, Your Grace.”

Tristan waved him forward. “Come. We will fetch them.” Tristan made his way up the stairs and disappeared inside with Higgins on his heels.

Olivia was in the process of removing her riding gloves and handing them to Gordon when there was a knock on the door. Gordon opened the door, and Spencer stepped into the vestibule.