Page 71 of The Earl’s Forbidden Temptation

A smile hitched at the corner of his mouth. “There is some wisdom in your argument. I shall endeavor to remember it when I eventually choose my countess.”

An indecipherable look entered her eyes. “Do you intend to seek a bride soon, my lord?”

“No.”

She glanced away, lifting her face toward the stars. “The scandal sheet that mentioned our four dances described you as one of society’s most elusive bachelors.”

“Hmm,” he said noncommittally. “The moment a man or woman reaches a marriageable age, everyone around them appears to grow addled. Marriage becomes the only subject they are capable of discussing. It is among the more nonsensical habits of society.”

She looked at him again, a quietly provoking allure warming her gaze. “Perhaps marriage is exciting.”

“Perhaps it is.” He thought of the friends who had once been wicked libertines and were now so thoroughly besotted with their wives that none of Aphrodite’s many temptations held the slightest appeal. Sebastian frowned as another realization settled uneasily within him. Of late, the only reason he attended Aphrodite at all was to see Red.

The wind shifted, lifting the edge of her riding habit, and a sharper chill swept over the hill. Thunder rolled again, closer now, deeper and more insistent. Darcy exhaled slowly, lifting her gaze once more as though she meant to commit the heavens to memory before the clouds claimed them.

“I am glad we came,” she said. “Thank you.”

The first drop of rain struck her cheek. She blinked, startled, then laughed as another followed, and another, the sky surrendering at last to the storm that had long threatened. “It would seem,” she said, lifting her face briefly to the falling rain, “that we have lingered too long.”

Sebastian glanced toward the western ridge, where the darkness had thickened into a solid bank of cloud, then reached for her hand.

“Come. We have less time than I thought. That is a storm.”

Her eyes widened. “But the stars are still visible above us.”

”Not for long. Listen.”

“Goodness,” Darcy cried as the sky opened and rain began to fall in torrents.

A sharp wind swept across the open fields, followed by heavy drops that struck the earth with sudden insistence. Darcy laughed as she gathered her skirts, though it did little good. Within moments, the rain fell in earnest, soaking through fabric and hair alike.

“I have always found rain glorious, but this feels rather like a tempest!”

“This way,” Sebastian called, already reaching for her hand. “We must leave at once.”

Sebastian gathered the telescope with practiced efficiency, replacing the brass cap over the objective lens before easing the instrument from its mount. He laid it carefully within its leather-lined case, secured the brass catches, and folded the mahogany tripod, fastening it to the side of the saddle before striding toward the horses tethered beneath the shelter of an ancient oak. Darcy was already there, her bonnet ribbons whipping wildly in the strengthening wind as she attempted to soothe her restless mare.

“You rode here sidesaddle,” he said, glancing from the horse to her.

“I did.”

“And I presume you have had little practice riding astride.”

A sheepish smile curved her lips despite the rain streaming over her face. “You presume correctly.”

He had suspected as much. She had ridden out with commendable determination but very little confidence, and although her mare was gentle and knew the estate paths, he would not risk allowing Darcy to cross increasingly sodden ground while perched sideways upon the saddle.

Without another word, he untied the mare’s reins. Darcy blinked in surprise. “My lord?”

He stroked the mare’s neck before giving the animal a firm pat upon the flank. “She knows the road to Raine Manor better than either of us. She will make her way home.”

As if understanding every word, the mare tossed her head before trotting confidently down the woodland path.

“You are simply letting her go?”

“I am.”

Doubt and worry filled her face. “And she truly will return, my lord?”