Seducing the Marquess (Lords and Ladies in Love) Page 15

  It was something to ponder. A life with Eugenia could very well be different from his parents’. A wife who was both friend and lover. The thought shook him to his very core, decrying everything known to him. There were a few among his acquaintances who were known to have married for love, but he’d always dismissed them as muddleheaded.

  But now, with Jake taking far too long to switch him from his day attire to his riding outfit, he batted the man’s hands away. “Enough, I am off.” With a sense of excitement, he hurried out the door to join Eugenia.

  He followed the curve leading to the mews and spotted her right away. Rays of sunshine peeked through the slats of wood, highlighting her hair, turning it to burnished gold. She reached for her horse’s reins and smiled at the stable master. Devon sucked in a breath through his teeth as both heat and pleasure coursed through him.

  Eugenia had become so much more than the business arrangement he’d planned when he’d proposed to her months ago. What, exactly, that meant or what he intended to do with that information, he’d yet to consider. All he sought to do at this moment was enjoy a ride on a lovely morning with his beautiful wife.

  …

  Eugenia smiled as the stable master brought Jennie out to her. Her heart always lifted at the sight of her horse. The striking chestnut mare had been gifted to her by her father on her sixteenth birthday. She stood next to the animal, crooning to her, running her gloved hand up and down her velvety nose.

  A movement to her left caught her attention. Devon had arrived, looking handsome and ready to ride. Buff breeches, with a black waistcoat and jacket, displayed his muscular form quite well. Starched cravat, knee-length Hessian boots, and a tall hat completed his outfit. Her heart picked up speed, making her feel somewhat foolish. Not sure what had made him decide to join her, nevertheless, she intended to take full advantage of his presence.

  Perhaps her parents hadn’t had a love match, but it had taken her only five months of marriage to realize what they’d had was not good enough for her.

  The stable master turned from her and tugged on his cap. “Good morning, my lord, which horse would ye be riding this morning?”

  “And a good morning to you, as well. I think it’s time Reggie had some exercise.”

  The stable master nodded and returned to the stalls, his ambling gait spewing particles of dust into the air.

  “Have I told you how charming you look in that outfit, my dear?” Devon took her hand in his, a genuine smile of warmth on his face. Again the fluttering took root in her stomach, setting her heart to thumping and her lungs to seize. This was ridiculous, she must learn to control herself, or she would be falling to his feet in a heap of quivering womanhood.

  “Thank you, my lord.”

  He took her other hand in his and tugged her closer, staring directly into her eyes, unnerving her even more. “Have I not asked you to call me Devon? Is it not time to dispense with the ‘my lady’ and ‘my lord’?”

  “Yes.” The word came out a whisper, about all she could deliver at that moment. This dance of two steps forward and one back was making her dizzy. She wanted to shout at him that she loved him, had loved him since before their wedding. He was her knight in shining armor, her prince charming.

  Devon dropped one of her hands and ran the back of his finger down her cheek. Before he could speak, the stable master walked Devon’s horse out, the animal sleek and already prancing, ready for a run.

  The moment was lost, and Eugenia drew in a shuddered breath. What would he have done had she confessed her feelings? Would he have drawn back, eying her with sympathy since his feelings were not so engaged?

  Devon gripped her by the waist and settled her on Jennie. He grinned as she attempted to hide her surprise, since he’d never before assisted her in their own stables, but had always allowed the stable master to do so. Progress, perhaps?

  She admired his powerful form as he swung one muscular leg over his saddle, then led her away from the mews to set off in the direction of Hyde Park. It was a cool morning, but with the sun on their backs, she was comfortable enough. They rode in silence until they reached the park entrance. There were a few other riders about as they headed to Rotten Row.

  She’d always enjoyed an early morning ride, but rarely did so in Town. Her favorite place to ride was on her family’s estate in Suffolk. The happiest days of her life had been spent there. As well as the most miserable. She’d received very little attention from her father, and had often thought of him as beyond her reach.

  On the other hand, her mother had spent a good deal of time making sure Eugenia was raised in a most proper manner. She had always preferred the outdoors, but had been required to sit and learn watercolors, the pianoforte, and needlework when she would have rather been out riding. Eventually, Mother had agreed that she could take her morning rides providing she had a groom and a maid with her, and spend the remainder of the day “behaving as a lady should.”

  Once they reached the infamous Hyde Park riding trail, Eugenia moved Jennie up alongside Reggie, and they trotted together in companionable silence. Feeling somewhat lively with the beautiful morning and her handsome husband alongside her, she asked, “Are you up for a race?”

  Devon’s eyebrows rose. “A race? Surely you don’t think that nag of yours can beat Reggie?” His smirk and the gleam in his eyes told her he was definitely up for the challenge.

  “Let us see.” She pointed to a row of hedges close to a mile distant. “How about to the other side of the hedge?”

  He studied the area with a frown. “Perhaps before the hedge? I’m not sure jumping hedges is a good idea with you riding side saddle.”

  “’Tis the only way I’ve ever ridden. Besides, the last time we rode at the Wentworth estate, I cleared the hedge successfully.” She gave him a sly smile. “Are you afraid, my lord?”

  “Devon.”

  “What?”

  “You agreed to no more ‘my lord’.”

  “So I did.” She stopped her horse, the animal dancing in place. “Are you ready, Devon?”

  “Indeed.” He counted to three, and they were off.

  Eugenia laughed at the silliness of racing Devon right here on Rotten Row where anyone in the ton taking a morning ride could see them. Of course, as expected, Reggie sprinted ahead of her and Jennie, but Eugenia was having too much fun to actually care if she won the race. It felt exhilarating and freeing to act in a way much different from what she’d done all her life.

  It seemed the book was teaching her about more than sex.

  She leaned over Jennie’s neck and egged her on as the hedge grew closer. Devon was still several lengths ahead of her, but it was obvious he wasn’t giving Reggie his head, or he would have been over the hedge long ago.

  As the shrubbery grew closer, a giggle rose in her middle, ready to burst forth. She could not remember the last time she’d felt so happy, so free. In front of her Devon and Reggie flew over the hedge.

  Due to the restrictions of her life since she’d arrived in London for her debut, it had been a long time since she’d ridden with such fervor. The air whipped off her hat and loosened her hair. She panted with excitement and effort as she grew closer to the hedge. Devon had stopped Reggie about a quarter mile after the hedge and turned to watch her.

  Jennie leaped and then sailed over. As soon as Jennie’s back hooves hit the ground, Eugenia felt her balance shift, and she flew off the horse’s back, landing with a thud on her shoulder. Pain exploded through her like a bolt of lightning. Devon’s voice shouting, “Eugenia!” was the last thing she heard before everything went black.

  When she awoke she was nestled in Devon’s arms, snuggled in his lap, and they were both riding on Reggie. She made a slight moan as she tried to move.

  Devon sucked in a breath and glanced down at her. He studied her with concern, then relief. “Oh, thank God, Eugenia, you’re awake.”

  “Yes. It appears I am.” Her voice sounded as though it came from a great distance. />
  “Try not to move; as soon as we arrive home I will send for the doctor.”

  Her first thought was to tell him, no, she was fine, but again she felt a sharp pain in her shoulder as she shifted. Instead, she closed her eyes and rested her head on Devon’s chest. “My shoulder,” she mumbled. “I landed on my shoulder.”

  …

  Instead of going to the mews, Devon rode up to the front of the townhouse. Bellows immediately opened the door and hurried down the stairs. “Oh, I say, my lord, is my lady injured?”

  “Yes. She was thrown from her horse, who I assume has returned to the mews.” The door opened again and a footman ran toward them. Devon motioned to the strapping man. “Take her ladyship while I climb down.”

  Bellows held on tightly to the animal’s reins as Devon handed Eugenia over, then dismounted. “Send someone for the doctor, and have Sally prepare her ladyship’s bed,” he said as he took Eugenia’s slender body from the footman. She gave a soft moan that twisted Devon’s insides. People had been killed when thrown from a horse. He shuddered to think of his wife lying on the ground with a broken neck, all the life in her gone forever.

  He gathered her closer, careful not to move her shoulder, but wanting to feel the warmth of her body to assure himself she was indeed alive. At least she had awoken, an encouraging sign, but there could still be internal injuries.

  The butler bowed and scurried up the stairs. Devon was right behind him, taking the steps two at a time. He strode down the corridor where he met Sally outside Eugenia’s room, wringing her hands. “Oh, my lord. Is my lady all right?”

  “I’ve sent for the doctor. Let’s get her settled in bed.”

  “Yes, my lord.” Sally moved to the bed where Devon laid Eugenia gently down.

  “My dear, I will have Sally undress you and put you into something more comfortable.”

  Eugenia nodded, but even that small movement caused her to wince. Devon leaned over and kissed her gently on the forehead. He straightened and addressed Sally. “Call me when you have your lady settled.”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  “Devon?” Eugenia winced as she shifted to look at him. “Will you have someone check on Jennie?”

  “Of course, my dear.” Devon left the room, closing the door gently.

  Left alone with his thoughts, Devon was stunned at how shaken he’d been to see Eugenia flying off her horse. The fool woman could have killed herself. Why he had allowed them to race made him question his good sense.

  “Have Cook send coffee to the library.” Devon passed Bellows at the bottom of the stairs. “And notify me the minute the doctor arrives.”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  He barely made it down the corridor when a knock sounded at the front door. Eugenia’s brother, Nash, strode past the butler, his eyes fixed on Devon. “Is Eugenia all right?”

  Devon waved him into the library. “I am awaiting the doctor right now. How did you hear of it?”

  “I did not hear much, actually.” After removing his hat and gloves, Nash ran his fingers through his hair. “Bentworth stopped me at Hyde Park and told me Eugenia had taken a toss.”

  Devon waved to a chair by the fireplace, then took the one across from his brother-in-law. “We were taking a morning ride, and I foolishly agreed to a race. The end of the run was to be a line of shrubbery. I made it over, but when Eugenia’s horse landed, for some reason, she was thrown.”

  Nash paled. “Is she conscious?”

  “Yes. It seems she hurt her shoulder, but we’ll see what the doctor says.”

  A footman carried in a tray with coffee and pastries.

  “Have you eaten?” Devon asked Nash as he motioned to the footman to place the tray on the small table in front of the fireplace.

  “Yes, but coffee would be welcome.” The men fixed their coffee, then sat back. Nash took a sip from his cup, then placed it on the table. “I’ve never known Eugenia to race.”

  Devon shook his head. “Neither have I. But, of late, she’s been somewhat different.”

  “Different?”

  There were some things he could share with Eugenia’s brother, but others—like her unusual behavior in the bedroom the other night—would never leave his lips. Nor his suspicions about a lover.

  “Perhaps it is merely her settling into her role as wife.” He shifted in his seat so he faced Nash. “You must know of the appellation your sister was branded with by the ton.”

  “The Ice Queen?”

  He nodded.

  Nash frowned. “I never understood that, myself. Eugenia is one of the warmest people I know. She is kindhearted, compassionate, and caring. I believe my mother, and the strict governess she had, tried very hard to suppress all the natural exuberance in my sister. I fear by the time she reached her coming-out, the lessons had taken root.”

  “I agree. But her cool demeanor is what led me to make an offer for her.”

  Nash straightened in his seat. “And now?” The glint in the man’s eyes gave Devon pause. Nash apparently was fully prepared to defend his sister if Devon gave him reason to.

  Devon waved at him. “Nothing terrible, you can wipe that look off your face.” He grinned, but Nash still seemed to remain on guard. “’Tis merely that she has taken me by surprise of late. The race in the park, for one. Her manner of dress has changed. Little things like that.”

  And she wanders around dark gardens during balls, crawling out of bushes, with no solid explanation.

  Nash viewed him over his coffee cup. “Perhaps after a few months of being out from under my mother’s influence has allowed her to come more into herself. You should be proud of yourself, Devon. She must be comfortable with you.”

  Nash’s words took him by surprise. He had been so busy imagining a nefarious reason for her behavior that the most reasonable one had passed him by. She was merely settling into her role as wife and no longer felt the need to adhere to her strict upbringing.

  Bellows entered the room, followed by the doctor. “My lord, Dr. Weber has arrived.”

  Devon stood. “Thank you.” He joined the doctor at the library door. “Doctor, if you will follow me.”

  “I will wait here and await your report,” Nash said.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “A frightening dream in the dead of night will require some comfort.”

  Secrets of the Bedchamber, p. 19

  A knock on her bedchamber door interrupted Eugenia’s conversation with Sally about her injury. Devon entered at her response with a man behind him she assumed to be the doctor. The man was young; in fact he did not seem old enough to even be out of the schoolroom. Tall, bespectacled, and of a serious demeanor, she hoped he could help her, since the pain had grown considerably stronger.

  “My dear, this is Dr. Weber, who has come to see to your injury.” Devon turned to the doctor. “My wife, the Marchioness of Devon.”

  The doctor bowed slightly. “My lady. A pleasure to meet you. I only wish it were under more favorable circumstances.” He spoke as he opened the black bag he’d carried in with him. “Now how did you come to injure yourself?”

  Eugenia explained the accident while the doctor moved to the other side of the bed. “Miss, can you please draw the drapes from the windows? I need light.”

  Sally quickly did as he bid and joined Devon at the foot of the bed as the doctor looked into Eugenia’s eyes, then gently touched her shoulder. She winced. “This one?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  With gentle touches, he felt around her shoulder with his fingertips, then slowly moved her arm in various positions, noting every time she cried out.

  “Doctor, is that really necessary? You are causing my wife more pain.” Devon moved from the foot of the bed and took her other hand, giving it a slight squeeze.

  “I am almost finished with my examination, my lord. But it is necessary for me to learn exactly where she has been injured and how serious the blow to her shoulder.”

  Eugenia raised their join
ed hands and rested her cheek against them, gritting her teeth as the examination continued. The warmth from Devon’s nearness helped calm her. Every time the doctor moved her arm she grew nauseous and prayed she would not disgrace herself in front of them all. Devon rubbed circles on her back, as unbidden tears flooded her eyes and ran down her cheeks. He kissed her several times on the top of her head. Were she not in such pain, she would have appreciated the tenderness.

  After excruciating minutes of poking and probing, the doctor looked up at Devon. “I believe her shoulder is not dislocated, just seriously bruised. She will need to remain bedridden for at least forty-eight hours, during which time ice should be applied to the shoulder. Once she is up and about, a sling should be used to keep her arm still for at least a week, so as not to hinder healing by undue pressure on her injury.”

  “What about the pain?” Devon drew out his handkerchief and handed it to Eugenia.

  The doctor removed a small bottle from his bag. “I will leave some laudanum for her use.” He looked over at Sally as he handed her the bottle. “Your lady should take no more than a teaspoon or two at a time. It will ease her pain but will also make her sleep. After forty-eight hours, she should no longer need it. I have seen too many patients become addicted to the drug, so I never suggest using it for any length of time.”

  Sally nodded at the doctor as he finished packing his bag.

  “Sally, will you please see the doctor out and ask Lord Clarendon to join us? He is in the library.”

  Once the doctor and Sally left the room, Eugenia shifted to look at Devon. Not a good idea, as she winced with pain. “Nash is here?” she gasped.

  “Don’t move, Eugenia.” Devon nodded. “Yes. He heard tell of your fall at the park and came as soon as he could.”

  Eugenia attempted to move herself up on the bed and cried out.

  “Eugenia! Do I have to tie you to the bed to keep you from moving?”

  Thinking of the pictures in her book of women tied up, had her forgetting her pain for a moment as she considered herself spread naked on the bed, her hands and feet bound to the bedposts, with Devon studying her. The heat from her blush would likely set the bedsheet on fire if she didn’t distract herself. “Can you fix my pillows so I can sit up?”