Where he thought they might take a few moments alone in the study, instead, Prudence urged him to get settled in while Agnus saw to a basket. “I will await you in the gardens, Your Grace, then we will go from there.”
He found it not just refreshing but nostalgic to be back in her manor. Surrounded by her sweet scent. Every room he passed brought back warm memories of time spent with her.
Especially his room.
His gaze lingered on the bed. He still saw her sprawled out on it. Remembered how she had taken him between her thighs. Into her body. Thoughts he tried his hardest to push aside lest a stubborn arousal keep her waiting.
As promised, he found her in the gardens. And, as always, the sight of her took his breath away. She might have been beautiful when he met her, but now she was truly stunning. Beyond radiant in her happiness. Impossible to look away from as yellow and purple crocus and pink cherry blossoms bloomed on either side of her.
“My love,” he said softly when he joined her. He clenched his fist lest he cup her soft cheek where others could see. Rather, he took the basket from her to occupy himself. “I cannot tell you how difficult it is not to pull you back into my arms at this very moment. How frustrating that I cannot kiss you at will.”
“Then let us walk until you can.” She linked arms with him. “There is a lovely spot I have wanted to take you to since I found it.”
They were about to continue on when Donal caught up with them.
“My lady.” His valet bowed from the waist and handed her a folded blanket for them to sit on while eating. “Miss Agnus wanted me to give you this.”
“Thank you, Mr. Donal.” A warm smile curled her mouth. “We will be gone for several hours. I encourage you to enjoy the beautiful day. Perhaps join Miss Agnus on a stroll?”
Jacob bit back amusement when Donal’s eyebrows swept up. He seemed unsure how to respond. Had that been a suggestion or a request? Having clearly decided it best to go with the latter, his valet finally found his tongue.
“Yes, my lady.” He offered another quick bow. “Straight away.”
While Jacob had been unable to get much out of Donal about his interactions with Prudence’s maid during their last visit here, it seemed Agnus implied there might have been a truce. It was hard to tell with those two, and he said as much when he and Prudence set out.
“Actually, I have news on that front since last we wrote.” She gave him a co-conspirator look. The corner of her mouth notched. “I heard from a chambermaid who heard from a footman that when your letters arrived, there was also one for Miss Agnus.”
“Indeed?” Donal, that old bugger. “From my valet, then?”
“She could not say only that Miss Agnus seemed quite eager to receive it.”
“Well, that is certainly telling.” Reflecting on how changed Prudence was from the haughty lass who would not even acknowledge a servant, much less gossip with them, he grinned. “Might I ask how you heard such from a chambermaid?”
“I have my ways.” Her eyes sparkled. “Besides, it is not all that hard to discover secrets around here. It seems much like high society, simple Scottish folk know much about everything. Not to say they are simple because they are anything but. Rather, I have come to enjoy the friends I have made in these parts.”
“So you said in your letters.” They started down a sun-dappled path. “And I cannot tell you how happy that makes me. How happy I am you have found such a good life here.” He had said it before but wanted to make things clear one more time. “As you know, your estate would always be here if we married. A retreat that you could visit often and at will.”
“Yet not live at,” she reminded softly. “For a duchess must be there for her people every bit as much as their duke.”
She was right. Her presence would be required but not as frequently as she seemed to think, and he had said that before too. While tempted to keep at the matter, he would not mar the perfect afternoon nor their first moments together after so much time apart.
So he steered them back to a lighter conversation and simply enjoyed her company. Lingered on her every word. Adored the sound of her laughter. Basked in the feel of having her so close again. Soon enough, the same wicked twinkle that had been in her eyes when she initially suggested this stroll reappeared, and he asked her about it.
“I could not help but reflect on a fantasy I once had,” she confessed readily enough. “One I had before coming upon you and Emma strolling in the hedge gardens at MacLauchlin Castle.”
“I dare say.” He stopped her. “You fantasized about me so soon?”
Her gaze grew almost sultry. “I did.” She perked a brow. “Would you like to hear about it?”
More than words could express. “Very much so.”
“Well,” she gestured at a small grassy, sunlit clearing cushioned between trees, “I imagined we might come upon a spot much like that one. When we did, you might pull me against you, cup my cheek and kiss me. Then, once our passion became too much, you might sweep me off my feet and lay me down in that bit of grass. I think you can probably imagine the rest from there.”
“I very much can.” Never so eager, he set down the basket and blanket and reeled her against him. “More than that, I intend to see it through.”
Chapter Seventeen
Prudence had longedfor this moment since she discovered the sunlit woodland oasis so similar to what she fantasized about. Longed for when Jacob pulled her into his arms and kissed her as hungrily as she had envisioned. Kissed her with so much passion it put her imagination to shame.
