AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Lady Grace.” One of his brows lifted, displaying his approval of her choice in spencer, and God above, did she enjoy seeing his reaction.
“Ah, there you are, darling,” her mother said. “Mr. Holloway has been so very charming.”
“There’s nothing especially noteworthy in being charming to such a delightful person,” Sebastian said easily.
Grace ought to offer him a shovel, since he seemed inclined to bestow flattery with a liberal hand. But her mother actually made a sound similar to a giggle, so it was evident that she was the only one who thought Sebastian’s blandishments a trifle heavy-handed.
“Shall we?” Sebastian offered her his arm.
Of course. They would have to get moving if they wanted to reach Rotten Row in time to encounter Mason, so she took Sebastian’s arm. She ought to be used to the unexpected solidity of his muscles, and yet awareness skittered through her when she rested her hand atop his sleeve and felt the firmness of him beneath the fabric.
“Do enjoy yourselves,” her mother called after them.
They stepped outside to find what had to be the highest, shiniest two-wheeled vehicle waiting for them in the street. The pair of horses drawing the vehicle were sleek chestnut creatures who displayed all the benefits of selective breeding. Meanwhile, the groom holding the horses’ bridles preened beneath the wondering attention of passing pedestrians.
“Cor,” Katie muttered.
“Oh. My,” Grace breathed.
“You like it?” Sebastian asked her. He lowered his voice. “It’s Rotherby’s curricle, on loan for the day.”
“My knowledge of sporting vehicles is undeniably paltry,” she admitted on an exhalation, “so I can say with certainty that I’ve never seen anything like it.” She eyed the towering vehicle. “It looks rather challenging to pilot.”
“Rotherby refreshed me on how to drive this sort of thing,” Sebastian said. He glanced at Katie. “There’s a seat in the back for a groom. You can take that.”
“Yes, sir!” Katie said, already climbing onto the perch at the back.
Sebastian and the groom helped Grace up into the extremely high seat, before he took his place beside her. The seat wasn’t particularly large, leaving her little choice but to press the side of her leg to his. Heat from his body radiated into hers, making her feel feverish and doing little to soothe her roused nerves.
After Sebastian secured the reins around his left hand, the groom handed him a long whip, which he held confidently in his right hand. With a click of his tongue, he signaled the horses, and a moment later, the beautifully sprung vehicle began to move.
The next phase of their plan was underway.
Chapter 14
Much as Seb was acutely aware of Grace sitting so close beside him, he had to divide his attention with guiding the curricle through Marylebone traffic
“You never said anything to me about the fact that you could sing,” she said, and while her words verged on accusatory, her tone was not.
“Mr. Okafor would be annoyed if I broke into song in the middle of the Benezra.”
“Depends on what you sing,” she replied pertly.
“Given that most of the songs I know usually involve people rutting, he might not appreciate my musical offering.”
She laughed, and the sound caressed silkily down his spine. It had been too long since he’d heard her laugh, especially because they’d been so preoccupied with the serious task of transforming him into a rake. So to hear her give way to mirth now gratified him.
“Here I thought you were a chaste scholar,” she teased, “not someone who roars bawdy tunes.”
“Firstly, I croon more than roar,” he said, pretending to be affronted.
“And secondly?”
“I’m far from chaste.” The moment the words were out of his mouth, he regretted speaking them. Because it was impossible to ignore the fact that the kiss they’d shared had set him afire with hunger for her, just as it was impossible to ignore the fact that she didn’t share his hunger. Not for him, in any case.
Was it better or worse for her to view him as devoid of sexuality? Neither option made things comfortable between them.
