Stealing a Lady's Heart: A Regency Fairytale (Fairfield Fairytales Book 1) (4 page)

They began a slow canter towards the edge of the forest on the property. Graham gestured to a trail in the grass.  “We will skirt around the woods since Will is hunting.  Just to be safe.”

Charlotte nodded.  Several questions rested on the tip of her tongue, but all of them were improper to ask.  Finally, she spoke.  “Your father said you were in the war.”

“Four years ago. I had just arrived home when my father sent all of us off to learn a trade.” His face pinched as if he were in pain.

Charlotte felt her breath catch.  “That must have been difficult to leave again.”

Graham shrugged. His face relaxed. “It was good to keep busy. Learning something new kept my mind and my hands occupied. Had I come home to the same old life, I would have had too much time to think.”

Charlotte bit her lower lip unsure of how to express her sympathy. Her horse slowed as she searched for words.

Graham came to a stop next to her. “Last night, when I cautioned you about adventure, I am sorry if I offended you. I thought war was going to be a great adventure, but it was really just suffering and heartache. I am sure it would not be the same for you…”

Charlotte reached out and touched his arm at his elbow. Tingling sensations shot through her hand and down to her nether regions. She almost gasped at the shock of it.  She forced herself to concentrate on the conversation they were having. “There is no need to apologize. I was being sensitive and you were right. For a lady like myself, adventure usually means ruin and heartache.” Charlotte made a mental note to herself. She was beginning to realize that Graham was not annoying but exciting. She must steer clear of adventure with him though. Even if her father considered one of the Fairfields a potential suitor, it would likely be Will and not Graham.

“Most kind of you, my lady.” Graham smiled one of his beautiful smiles and chills raced up and down her body despite the heat of the day.

“Please, call me Charlotte.” She smiled back.

“Well Charlotte, would you like to go a little faster?” He wiggled his eyebrows at her and she giggled.

It crossed her mind that after the talk she had just had with herself, she should say no. She should turn back to the manor and steer clear of this adventure. But she didn’t. Instead she said, “Absolutely.”

She kicked her horse ahead of his and followed the trail at the edge of the forest. She was an excellent horsewoman and she urged her horse faster. 

Graham laughed and called from behind her, “Wait for me!”

Dimly she heard Armsby call, “Your ladyship, you mustn't.” But that only seemed to spur her on.  It was the first time she had any freedom whatsoever on this trip. It was amazing to gallop freely, and she told herself that just a little bit of adventure wouldn’t hurt.

She urged the horse faster. Locks of hair began to fall loosely around her face and whip in the wind.  She longed to unpin all of it and let it trail behind her. She glanced back at Graham, who was keeping pace behind her.

She felt a little wild on this horse and her gaze drank him in. Their eyes locked and she knew hers were filled with hunger. Hunger for adventure and a dawning hunger for him. The smile died on Graham's lips.  His eyes bore into hers and the look in his eyes mirrored the intensity she felt.  He urged his horse forward till they were riding side by side. 

Charlotte had no idea how to vent her attraction and so she pushed the animal even faster. 

“Charlotte!” She heard Graham call as he too sped up. She looked over at him smiling but when her eyes returned to the trail, a large log covered the path. She tried to pull the horse to a stop but the horse panicked and too late she realized she should have just allowed the horse to jump it.

Her entire body tensed as she braced for the fall that would surely come. But just before her horse reached the log, she was plucked abruptly from her saddle. In an instant, Graham had her in his lap. His large arms encircled her. They were rock hard compared with the softness of her body.  She caught his scent as the wind whipped past them. It was clean and masculine, and she buried her face in his neck, savoring the smell. His larger horse cleared the log with barely a jump. She peered over Graham’s shoulder to see her horse jump the log but catch her back foot.

“Oh!” she cried. Graham turned his horse and trotted back to her mare. Now that they were going slowly, she became aware of every point her body touched his. Her hands had wrapped around his hard and broad shoulders. They felt stronger than any she had ever touched before. Her breasts were crushed up against his muscular chest, and her rear was tucked between his legs. Her head tipped back and her lips parted as their eyes met. She had never kissed a man but suddenly, it was all she wanted.

Graham’s eyes traveled the contours of her face then rested on her lips Charlotte was dimly aware of straining up to bring their lips closer but Graham moved his face further from hers. “Let’s check on your horse.” Disappointment coursed through Charlotte but was quickly replaced with awe.  Graham swung down from the horse, carrying her with him.  Charlotte was amazed at the ease with which he lifted her down.  She tried to picture some of the soft lords of London carrying her and nearly laughed out loud at the image.

“What?”  He cocked an eyebrow.

“How do you carry me so easily?”  The question popped out before she could hold it back.

“After carrying large hunks of metal for safes, you are light as a feather.” He tweaked her nose.

She felt herself blush. It was incredibly comforting and exciting to be nestled against his strong body.

He set her down and began checking the legs of her horse. “She’s tender in this back leg. I think you should ride back with me, we’ll have the groom check her.”

He stood up, their bodies inches apart. Without even realizing it, she placed her hand on his arm.  “Graham, thank you.  I don’t know what I would have done if…”

“The pleasure was mine.” The tension between them was palpable. She looked into his eyes and then her tongue darted out to lick her lips. His eyes followed the movement of her tongue. She quickly drew it back into her mouth.  She could feel their bodies drawing closer although she wasn’t moving. His lips were drifting closer to hers and she strained up on her toes, suddenly desperate to press them together.

“My lady!” Armsby’s voice rang out, “Are you alright?”

Graham stepped back and Charlotte could have cursed. Except she didn’t actually curse.

“No need to worry Armsby, Mr. Fairfield kept me safe.”  Charlotte glanced at his full lips and bit her own.

“Can she ride the horse back?” Armsby asked.

“I don’t think so. She’ll ride with me.” Graham climbed onto his horse, then effortlessly pulled her in front of him, nestling her against his hard body.

“Is it proper?” the footman asked aghast. “Her father tasked us with keeping her safe and…”

“I’ll go nice and slow so you can stay right next to us.” Graham’s tone left no room for argument. He was clearly annoyed. Charlotte looked at him, wondering what he was thinking.

Their eyes met and he gave her a tiny smile that touched his eyes. She caught her breath. It was the most intimate thing she had ever experienced in her entire life. She laid her head on his shoulder.  So strong. Her hand rested on his other shoulder, and the other slipped around his waist. He snuggled her closer. She ducked her head and smiled. While she had missed the kiss, she would enjoy the slow ride back to the manor.

STEALING A LADY’S HEART

CHAPTER FOUR

When they returned to the manor, the baron was waiting for them. “What took so long?” His deep voice held a dissatisfied note.

“Charlotte nearly tumbled from her horse and the steed’s back leg is out of sorts. We took it slowly on the return home.”  Graham swung them both effortlessly off the horse, but he set Charlotte down a foot away from him. Disappointment coursed through her. She already missed the feel of his body.

“You should have been more careful.” Baron Fairfield stepped up to his son, his look menacing.

“The fault was mine. I rode out ahead, I wasn’t thinking.” Charlotte moved closer to Graham in her own act of protection.

“He should have stopped you. He knows better.” The baron crossed his arms over his chest.

“He’s right Charlotte.  I should have stopped you.” Graham gave her the smallest wink.

Charlotte straightened. She didn’t like being dismissed. “I am my own woman.  I can make my own mistakes.”

“Of course. I didn’t mean to suggest otherwise.” The baron smiled at her. “Perhaps you would like a bath? We could have one brought up for you.” He began ushering her inside, but she saw the dark look he shot Graham over his shoulder. “We aren’t finished Graham.”

* * * *

Charlotte took a long, delicious bath but when she was finished, she could still hear work on the outside of the house continuing. It was going to be a long time until dinner. At least tonight she had time to properly dress. She picked out a dark blue gown that she hoped brought out the color of her eyes.  She blushed slightly and wondered what Graham would think of the dress. Then, she closed her eyes. She had to stop thinking this way.  He was the least likely candidate of any she had met. Would her father approve?  She shrugged to herself. She doubted he would disown her. She was his only child and heir.  But even if he did, Charlotte was wealthy in her own right. Her mother had left her a small fortune. She piled her hair on top of her head and pinched her cheeks one last time.

Her shoulders immediately slumped when she walked into the parlor. After a long day of work, the Fairfield men looked tired and were dressed very casually.

Will’s eyes met hers first and she could see surprise in them. Her cheeks colored at her gaff. She was overdressed. “Forgive me,” she addressed the men. “I was not thinking, wearing such a dinner dress.”

Graham stepped forward. “On the contrary, it has been a long time since such a beauty has graced our rooms.  It is a rare treat to see a lady dressed as such. Thank you, Lady Charlotte.”

Will nodded, as did the other brothers, but she silently thanked Graham for saving the situation.  He extended his arm to her. “Allow me.” His warm brown eyes danced.

Charlotte felt her heart skip a beat. As her hand slipped around his elbow, the feel of his arm muscles underneath his shirt sent jitters all along her skin. She trembled slightly but composed herself. She could walk to dinner without making a spectacle of herself.

They ate heartily, except for Charlotte, who watched the men around her.  Her respect for them grew by the hour.  They had more grace than most of the titled men she knew.  Charlotte watched as the hungry men politely ate and talked of the progress they made on their home and their plans for the future.  Charlotte traveled in the upper crust of society and yet she couldn’t remember meeting men she liked more than these.

As the evening progressed, Charlotte realized that not one man had made advances toward her. Had she imagined her near-kiss with Graham?  If it had happened then wouldn’t he be trying to marry her? Not once had marriage been brought up at her visit to Fairfield Manor.  No wonder she felt so comfortable. For once, she wasn’t being accosted.

She knew she tempted fate, but she couldn’t seem to help but bring up the conversation herself.  “I must ask. How do four eligible men find themselves all unwed?” 

None of the men volunteered right away and Charlotte shifted uncomfortably. It was another rude question. Why did she keep forgetting her manners here?