Wicked Wager (37 page)

“I’ll hunt for her on foot,” Jeremy responded. “The walk will do me good. Help get the cramps out of my legs.” He climbed gingerly out of the carriage, wincing as he stood, then shook out his legs. “What direction should I go?”

“Unfortunately, I have no idea.” Maybe he should go back for Tad. But he didn’t want to take the time. “Look in the woods, I guess. Maybe he’s hiding somewhere.”

Jeremy nodded and helped Marcus onto his mount. The two men set off in different directions. Jeremy went into the woods while Marcus circled back to the training pens.

A short while later, Jeremy called out. Heart in his throat, Marcus rode that direction. The vegetation quickly became thick and low-hanging, forcing him to dismount and lead the horse.

Finally, through the trees, he spied Jeremy. The groom was leaning over something…a body. Marcus dropped the reins and drew near, afraid of what he might see. He let out a sigh of relief as he realized the body was Withersby’s.

Jeremy turned as he approached. “His neck’s broken and there are hoof-prints all around. He must have ridden in here and got knocked off by a low-hanging branch.”

“It’s no worse than he deserved,” said Marcus.

There was a rustling of branches, and Penny stepped out from the bushes. There were leaves in her hair and grass on her clothing.

“Penny!” Marcus exclaimed. “Are you all right?”

She nodded and went over to where Withersby lay. “Hero always did despise him.”

“What happened, Penny?” Marcus asked. “Are you certain you’re not hurt?”

She nodded again but still didn’t look at him. Marcus’s stomach churned. Something was wrong. Why was she acting so distant?

“What happened?” Jeremy asked. “Did Adrian follow you on Hero?”

“I guess so. I didn’t stay around to look. After hearing the shots, I dug my heels into Whisper, and she took off.” She grimaced. “We didn’t go far before I fell. Fortunately, we were behind the trees by then and Adrian didn’t see. He didn’t need to mount Hero at all. He could have gotten to me on foot.”

A chill ran down Marcus’s spine. Penny had come so close to being killed. How he longed to take her in his arms and crush her against his body. To hold her and never let her go. But seeing the wary expression on her face, he held back. “You’re certain you’re all right?”

“I had the wind knocked out of me, that’s all. I’ve fallen enough times that I know what to do. You go limp as you fall and it’s not as bad.” She gave a rueful smile.

“Thank goodness you’re safe.” Marcus breathed.

She gave him another shy, hesitant smile, then glanced away. “Yes, I’m safe.”

Marcus could hold back no longer. Despite her disheveled appearance and stained clothing, he thought she was the most beautiful creature in the world. He took two steps nearer, then sank to one knee. Seizing her hand, he said, “Now that Withersby’s dead, I have no claim on you. Not that I ever truly did. But, the thing is…I love you and want to marry you. Will you please do me the honor of being my wife?”

****

Penny couldn’t quite believe what she was seeing: the proud, elegant Marcus Revington, kneeling in the grass his dark eyes tender and pleading. She gave a startled laugh, then said, “Yes. Yes, I will.”

Chapter Twenty-Four

Two months later

Penny watched Marcus ride up to her, admiring the easy way he sat the chestnut. He looked so graceful and in control.

As he pulled to a halt, he asked, “Why are you smiling?”

“You ride so well. It’s a pleasure to watch you.”

“In truth, I haven’t had much experience. I’m a much better hand with the ribbons than as a rider.” He patted the gelding’s neck. “It’s Star who makes me look good. I think he’s more than ready for the sale.”

Penny nodded. “Mr. Foxworthy posted an announcement in the village, but we should probably go to London and find a way to spread the news there. Adrian used to handle all that. I’m not certain how he went about finding buyers.”

“It will be easy for me to find plenty of interested parties. Gambling and fine horseflesh are the two vices of many of my acquaintances. But let’s not talk about going to London right now. I want to enjoy our day in the country.”

Penny motioned to the wicker hamper tied behind Marcus’s saddle. “I see you’ve brought luncheon.”

Marcus nodded. “Mrs. Foxworthy made certain we won’t starve.”

He dismounted and came to help Penny down. After they tied the horses to a tree, they took down the hamper and the blanket Penny had brought, and found a spot for their picnic under a large oak. Penny spread out the blanket, sat down on it, and stretched out her legs. “It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?”

Marcus nodded. “I never want to leave.”

“We do have to go to London occasionally. To arrange the sale and for other business matters,” Penny said. “And it will be good to see Lily and James, of course.”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you. I got a letter from James. They’re coming here in two weeks, after the wedding.”

Penny sat up. “Wedding?”

“Yes. Lily finally gave in. James convinced her that they must marry for Charles’s sake. It hardly seems like a good basis for marriage to me, but James has always been a practical sort.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” Penny soothed. “They adore each other. The only reason Lily refused him until now was she worried she wasn’t good enough for him. It will be wonderful to see them. I’ve missed her.”

“Maybe you can convince them to make their home here. You’ve managed to convince most of the other Londoners you know to move here.”

“I think Maggie likes living in the country. And I know Jeremy does. And we’re certainly able to offer a better life to Robin, Timmy, Freddie and Fancy here. I know they’re still fighting the notion of going to school in the village, but they took to the rest of it like little ducks to water.”

Marcus gave her an indulgent smile. “I don’t know whether I dare take you to London any more. I worry you’ll convert more city-dwellers to the joys of bucolic living. The manor house is filled to bursting as it is.”

“We’ll just have to build on an addition then.”

Marcus raised his dark brows. “By Jupiter, it seems my fears are real! Who have you targeted to bring here now? Bowes and Will?”

Penny laughed. “I don’t think Bowes would be happy here. Or Will either. I was actually thinking that we might”—she lowered her eyes—“might have children someday.”

“Are you…that is…?” His dark gaze bored into her, and he seemed to be holding his breath.

She laughed again. “Not so I can tell. But it’s only been a month since we wed. For propriety’s sake, it would be better if a little more time elapsed.”

“Propriety? When have you ever worried about propriety?”

“I suppose I haven’t. Otherwise I wouldn’t be dressed like this.” She motioned to her boots and trousers. “I don’t suppose you ever dreamed you’d end up with a shameless hoyden like me, did you?”

“I actually like it when you dress like a boy. I did from the beginning. That sort of attire shows off your attributes quite well. But there’s a downside to it.”

“Oh, and what is that?”

He gave her devilish smile. “Trousers are a bit more cumbersome to remove.”

She frowned at him, trying to look severe. “I don’t think you brought me here for a picnic at all. Did you?”

“I’ll admit, it was all a pretense.” He touched her cheek, then moved his hand to her hair and began pulling out the pins. “I don’t mind if you dress like a man, but I prefer your hair down.”

Penny leaned back, suddenly breathless. As he ran his fingers through her hair, desire ignited between her legs and spread through her body. When he laid her down and kissed her, her need turned molten. But he was in no hurry. His kisses were long and deep and his caresses leisurely. She drew away with a moan, then stood up and peeled off her clothing. She got her trousers down but couldn’t get them over her boots. “You’re right,” she muttered. “These are dashed hard to remove.”

“Lie down and I’ll help you.”

His movements were smooth and practiced. In moments her lower body was bare. She waited as he took off his jacket and unbuttoned his shirt. When it was off, he undid his trousers, then positioned himself over her.

“You’re not going to undress any further?”

“Do you want to wait while I do?”

“Not really.”

“I thought not.”

He began his slow torture again, his fingers caressing her hips and buttocks, then her inner thighs, gliding close to the aching core of her but not yet touching.

“Please,” she whispered.

“You are the most impatient little vixen.”

“Vixen?” she demanded, then let out a groan as he finally brought his hand to her heated center.

He teased and fondled until she was near blind with pleasure and yearning. Finally, she decided she’d waited long enough and wriggled out from under him. She flung herself at him, knocking him on his back, then scrambled onto him with her legs straddling his thighs. “Ah, this is much better.” She grasped his phallus and stroked him with the same slow deliberation he’d used with her. “Now who is begging for mercy?”

“I am,” he groaned.

A delicious thought came to her. She moved her hips and lowered herself onto him, gasping as each glorious inch of him penetrated her. He filled her to bursting, and it was all she could do to remember to breathe. He thrust his hips upward. She groaned with wordless pleasure and met his slow, rocking movements with her own rhythmic ones. The pressure built until she arched her back and cried out as the dazzling ripples burst inside her.

She’d barely come to herself again when he slid out of her, rolled her onto her back and entered her again. She gazed up at him, at his wild eyes and flared nostrils, his handsome face harsh with desire. “You’ve ridden me, now I shall ride you,” he whispered.

Penny closed her eyes and let out a wordless sigh of expectant delight.

A word from the author…

I am fascinated by history, as well as Celtic myth and legend. These interests inspire and enrich most of my books, both romance and fantasy.

Raised in the Midwest, I currently live in Wyoming with my husband and four very spoiled cats and a somewhat spoiled dog. I also have two grown children and have worked at the local public library for over twenty years. In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, travel and reading, of course!

http://marygillgannon.com

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