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Authors: Emma Wildes
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with a hint of wry humor. “Are trying to tell me you’ve experienced it firsthand? I somehow assumed that as London’s premier rake, constancy was not your preference; therefore jealousy would be pointless.”
“We are not now discussing my personal preferences,” he countered mildly. “I am speaking as a man who has a title and enough wealth to have been the quarry of more than a few scheming matrons eager to gain an aristocratic husband for their insipid daughters.”
No doubt he was right, for while his reputation might cause some pause, he was still undeniably a coup in the marriage mart. That is, if he had the slightest inclination to choose a wife.
A certain part of her was envious, actually. She was betrothed to a man not necessarily of her choosing but who pleased her parents and could provide well for her and their children.
The patently unfair restrictions against her gender were frustrating, but not limited to the rich and aristocratic either. “How very vexing for you,” she said coolly.
“Ah, the haughty tone indicates disapproval, I assume.You play the outraged lady very well. Yes, I find it uncomfortable to be coveted for my money and position. That is why I much prefer my relationships to involve nothing but physical satisfaction for both parties.”
He said it matter-of-factly and she believed the detachment to be sincere. It was somewhat startling. “Is that why you don’t wish to marry? Are you afraid when a woman shows interest it might be mercenary?”
Apparently he wasn’t interested in answering questions about his personal life. Instead he changed the course of the conversation again. “My sister and aunt are in the country so they won’t be alarmed yet, but my valet and my secretary will both know this is not my usual behavior. I suspect also our mutual absence will start to raise eyebrows, unless your father handled your sudden disappearance with the utmost discretion.”
Though he was sometimes a bit stuffy Elena knew her father would be beside himself with worry. “He would not wish a scandal and would do his best to avoid one.”
“I’m sure you’re correct, but, unfortunately,” the man sitting across from her said with grim conviction, “I don’t think that is going to be possible.”
Chapter 6
T he big roan thundered around the corner, still going easy, his neck wet and his breathing audible as he went by, but he wasn’t winded even though Gibbons had been pushing him and that was very encouraging indeed.
What hadn’t been nearly as satisfactory was the evening before, or, for that matter, this morning. The former had involved his wife doing her best to instruct him in a lesson in severe sexual frustration and the latter had yielded almost nothing in the form of information on the winsome but mysteriously missing Lady Elena.
Leaning against the rail in moody contemplation Ben had come to the conclusion that the elusive daughter of the Earl of Whitbridge had quite simply vanished in a wisp of smoke. At this point she’d been gone for almost forty-eight hours without a word.
“Nice run, my lord. I told you he’s in fine mettle. Thor has the haunches of a champion.”
Ben glanced over at his trainer, roused from his musings. No one had agreed when he’d decided to let someone as young as Adam Altamont take over his stable, but the decision had been duly weighed and considered, and, eventually, he’d decided that instinct was sometimes betterthan logic. As his horses were winning more than ever, he still felt it a good one. “He’s moving well,” he agreed, feeling guilty for his distraction, since usually his horses were his passion. “Loose on the inside, though, I thought.”
“He moves better when he’s pressed. Without another horse he’s never going to give us all he has.”
That was true. His most promising young racer liked competition. Ben watched as the jockey trotted his mount to the gate and the lads ran out to lead away the horse.
“We are not now discussing my personal preferences,” he countered mildly. “I am speaking as a man who has a title and enough wealth to have been the quarry of more than a few scheming matrons eager to gain an aristocratic husband for their insipid daughters.”
No doubt he was right, for while his reputation might cause some pause, he was still undeniably a coup in the marriage mart. That is, if he had the slightest inclination to choose a wife.
A certain part of her was envious, actually. She was betrothed to a man not necessarily of her choosing but who pleased her parents and could provide well for her and their children.
The patently unfair restrictions against her gender were frustrating, but not limited to the rich and aristocratic either. “How very vexing for you,” she said coolly.
“Ah, the haughty tone indicates disapproval, I assume.You play the outraged lady very well. Yes, I find it uncomfortable to be coveted for my money and position. That is why I much prefer my relationships to involve nothing but physical satisfaction for both parties.”
He said it matter-of-factly and she believed the detachment to be sincere. It was somewhat startling. “Is that why you don’t wish to marry? Are you afraid when a woman shows interest it might be mercenary?”
Apparently he wasn’t interested in answering questions about his personal life. Instead he changed the course of the conversation again. “My sister and aunt are in the country so they won’t be alarmed yet, but my valet and my secretary will both know this is not my usual behavior. I suspect also our mutual absence will start to raise eyebrows, unless your father handled your sudden disappearance with the utmost discretion.”
Though he was sometimes a bit stuffy Elena knew her father would be beside himself with worry. “He would not wish a scandal and would do his best to avoid one.”
“I’m sure you’re correct, but, unfortunately,” the man sitting across from her said with grim conviction, “I don’t think that is going to be possible.”
Chapter 6
T he big roan thundered around the corner, still going easy, his neck wet and his breathing audible as he went by, but he wasn’t winded even though Gibbons had been pushing him and that was very encouraging indeed.
What hadn’t been nearly as satisfactory was the evening before, or, for that matter, this morning. The former had involved his wife doing her best to instruct him in a lesson in severe sexual frustration and the latter had yielded almost nothing in the form of information on the winsome but mysteriously missing Lady Elena.
Leaning against the rail in moody contemplation Ben had come to the conclusion that the elusive daughter of the Earl of Whitbridge had quite simply vanished in a wisp of smoke. At this point she’d been gone for almost forty-eight hours without a word.
“Nice run, my lord. I told you he’s in fine mettle. Thor has the haunches of a champion.”
Ben glanced over at his trainer, roused from his musings. No one had agreed when he’d decided to let someone as young as Adam Altamont take over his stable, but the decision had been duly weighed and considered, and, eventually, he’d decided that instinct was sometimes betterthan logic. As his horses were winning more than ever, he still felt it a good one. “He’s moving well,” he agreed, feeling guilty for his distraction, since usually his horses were his passion. “Loose on the inside, though, I thought.”
“He moves better when he’s pressed. Without another horse he’s never going to give us all he has.”
That was true. His most promising young racer liked competition. Ben watched as the jockey trotted his mount to the gate and the lads ran out to lead away the horse.
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