The Duke's Christmas Vow: Regency Romance by Arietta Richmond

Author:Arietta Richmond [Richmond, Arietta]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Dreamstone Publishing
Published: 2020-11-17T16:00:00+00:00

*****

The groom reached the gate just in time to see his master and the Lady set off at a blistering pace across the fields. Rafe glanced back, noted that the man was at least where he could see them, then turned all of his concentration to the woman ahead of him – rich dark red hair, a rich burgundy habit, on a rich blood bay mare – she looked spectacular. And he was going to have to do his damnedest if he hoped to catch up with her.

A kind of wild delight filled him, and he gave Valiant his head, the crisp winter air streaming past, and the ground disappearing beneath them as if they flew. It was a long time since he had given himself to speed this completely.

He did not catch her – not until she slowed as they approached the cliffs, and brought the mare back to a steady walk. As he came up beside her, she turned her face to him, alight with the same kind of wild joy he felt. She was, in that instant, stunningly beautiful – much more so than those carefully primped young women back at the house could ever be.

It struck him then, that, if he must choose one, from amongst those in his house at present, he would choose her, above all others. But… would she wish it? Any of the others, he knew would fall at his feet in an ecstasy of greedy delight if he chose them – but Lady Charity? He did not know what she would do, what she would want. She had not, at any time, shown any sign of wanting to be chosen. He had the horrible suspicion that she viewed him with nothing more than friendship – which, admittedly was more than many society weddings might boast of, between husband and wife.

But he had come to realise that he wanted more than that. He wanted this comfort, this ability to enjoy the moment, as he had with her, but he wanted love, as well.

It was a shocking thing for him to wish, and most of his gentlemen friends would mock him if they knew – but it was a truth he had to accept – this house party had proved it to him, even more than the preceding year had.

And he would not push marriage on her, if she did not truly wish it, although if he offered, he suspected that she would be made to accept, no matter what she wished – for his mother had mentioned that rumour had it that she needed to marry, due to her father’s advanced age, and their financial circumstances. He did not wish to force her to anything.

She deserved far better than that, was worth far more than as simply a bargaining chip – she was worth being loved, properly.

He pushed the thoughts away, and focussed on the moment, on the light in her eyes, and the happiness in her face. Everything else could wait until later.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.