Read Online Adrienne Basso by The Ultimate Lover - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: The Ultimate Lover
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The victorious smile upon her face was unmistakable.
“I would have won if you had not cheated,” he declared breathlessly.
“What rot.” Her smile widened. The sound of her labored breathing mingled with his and echoed through the air. “You are angered because you lost to a woman and your male sense of self-worth has been compromised. Admit it.”
“I admit nothing. Males are larger and stronger and fitter than females. We succeed in fair physical challenges because we are better equipped to do so and because we are born with the need to compete at everything. Why else would we relieve ourselves in the snow to see who can shoot the stream the farthest?”
Amelia’s eyes widened. For an instant Gareth was not sure which of them was more shocked by his vulgar language. But before he could gather his thoughts to apologize, Amelia spoke.
“Your point is well-made, Gareth. Females are not properly equipped to compete in snow . . . coloring.” She steered her mare closer, leaned over, and whispered, “Nor would we ever care to try it.”
The trill of a bird broke the moment of silence. Gareth felt the edge of his lips begin to curve upward. This was without question the most bizarre conversation he had ever had with a female, yet there was something so ridiculously appealing about the moment he almost didn’t want it to end.
“Have you visited the duke’s folly yet?” he inquired.
“No.” Something flickered in her eyes. He had a fleeting impression it was anticipation. “I would very much like to see it. I have heard it is rather unique.”
Gareth nodded. “I caught a glimpse of it yesterday. Let’s see if I can remember where it is located.”
Gareth turned his horse onto the path and Amelia meekly followed. They ambled gently through the well-marked path, then came to a narrow turnoff nearly hidden in the underbrush.
They followed it around, with Gareth still in the lead. The quiet stillness of the forest engulfed them, creating a peaceful almost languid mood. The trees gradually thinned to open space and formally laid gardens, which was an amazing sight considering how far they were from the main house.
Gareth halted as they neared the edge of an ornamental lake. Before them stood a stone bridge, arched and narrow, clearly meant only for human traffic. If he remembered correctly the folly stood on the other side of it.
He dismounted, tied the horse’s reins to a sturdy tree trunk, then returned to fetch Amelia. She handed him her reins. After securing them to the same tree trunk, Gareth returned.
He reached up, circled his hands about her waist, and assisted her down. He heard a soft gasp and smiled, thinking she felt a heightened sense of awareness, but then her horse shifted and Gareth realized Amelia feared she would fall.
He braced his legs and tightened his grip. She reached the ground safely, but landed against his chest. Heat began to dance beneath his skin, awakening his body. She glanced up and their eyes met briefly. A strange, possessive emotion skittered through him.
“Forgive my clumsiness,” she muttered, stepping away.
He extended his arm. She clasped it lightly and they proceeded over the bridge.
“Is that it?” Amelia asked in a surprised tone.
Gareth lifted his chin and gazed ahead. Nestled among the trees was a building, not of classic or traditional design, with a domed center and opened sides, but rather a fully enclosed stone structure that in many ways resembled a country cottage.
“It must be. Though the duke strikes me as the type who would create a Gothic ruin or ancient temple or even the more common tower when creating a folly.”
“This is a somewhat eccentric choice.”
“A privilege of his age, rank, and wealth.” Gareth shrugged. “Of course, as a gift to my mother on her fiftieth birthday, my father had a pyramid folly built.”
“Was she pleased?”
“Inordinately.” They exchanged amused grins. “My mother has always prided herself on
“I would have won if you had not cheated,” he declared breathlessly.
“What rot.” Her smile widened. The sound of her labored breathing mingled with his and echoed through the air. “You are angered because you lost to a woman and your male sense of self-worth has been compromised. Admit it.”
“I admit nothing. Males are larger and stronger and fitter than females. We succeed in fair physical challenges because we are better equipped to do so and because we are born with the need to compete at everything. Why else would we relieve ourselves in the snow to see who can shoot the stream the farthest?”
Amelia’s eyes widened. For an instant Gareth was not sure which of them was more shocked by his vulgar language. But before he could gather his thoughts to apologize, Amelia spoke.
“Your point is well-made, Gareth. Females are not properly equipped to compete in snow . . . coloring.” She steered her mare closer, leaned over, and whispered, “Nor would we ever care to try it.”
The trill of a bird broke the moment of silence. Gareth felt the edge of his lips begin to curve upward. This was without question the most bizarre conversation he had ever had with a female, yet there was something so ridiculously appealing about the moment he almost didn’t want it to end.
“Have you visited the duke’s folly yet?” he inquired.
“No.” Something flickered in her eyes. He had a fleeting impression it was anticipation. “I would very much like to see it. I have heard it is rather unique.”
Gareth nodded. “I caught a glimpse of it yesterday. Let’s see if I can remember where it is located.”
Gareth turned his horse onto the path and Amelia meekly followed. They ambled gently through the well-marked path, then came to a narrow turnoff nearly hidden in the underbrush.
They followed it around, with Gareth still in the lead. The quiet stillness of the forest engulfed them, creating a peaceful almost languid mood. The trees gradually thinned to open space and formally laid gardens, which was an amazing sight considering how far they were from the main house.
Gareth halted as they neared the edge of an ornamental lake. Before them stood a stone bridge, arched and narrow, clearly meant only for human traffic. If he remembered correctly the folly stood on the other side of it.
He dismounted, tied the horse’s reins to a sturdy tree trunk, then returned to fetch Amelia. She handed him her reins. After securing them to the same tree trunk, Gareth returned.
He reached up, circled his hands about her waist, and assisted her down. He heard a soft gasp and smiled, thinking she felt a heightened sense of awareness, but then her horse shifted and Gareth realized Amelia feared she would fall.
He braced his legs and tightened his grip. She reached the ground safely, but landed against his chest. Heat began to dance beneath his skin, awakening his body. She glanced up and their eyes met briefly. A strange, possessive emotion skittered through him.
“Forgive my clumsiness,” she muttered, stepping away.
He extended his arm. She clasped it lightly and they proceeded over the bridge.
“Is that it?” Amelia asked in a surprised tone.
Gareth lifted his chin and gazed ahead. Nestled among the trees was a building, not of classic or traditional design, with a domed center and opened sides, but rather a fully enclosed stone structure that in many ways resembled a country cottage.
“It must be. Though the duke strikes me as the type who would create a Gothic ruin or ancient temple or even the more common tower when creating a folly.”
“This is a somewhat eccentric choice.”
“A privilege of his age, rank, and wealth.” Gareth shrugged. “Of course, as a gift to my mother on her fiftieth birthday, my father had a pyramid folly built.”
“Was she pleased?”
“Inordinately.” They exchanged amused grins. “My mother has always prided herself on
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