Free For the First Time by Kathryn Smith Page A

happening. Couldn’t imagine a woman—one such as Lady Blythe—falling in love with a man like him. She deserved so much better than a man as damaged and damned as himself. And as much as he wanted to believe love existed, he couldn’t imagine feeling it, or someone feeling it for him.
    He wanted her, that was for certain. Seeing her in that flimsy gold gown had only intensified that wanting. He had never been the kind of man who was easily ruled by his loins, but that night he had actually fantasized about taking Blythe into a dark room and making love to her until neither of them could stand.
    She was Miles’s sister and Carny’s ex-fiancée. She was also far too innocent and good to be dirtied by his touch. He shouldn’t be thinking about her this way, but none of that seemed to matter.
    Even worse, he liked her. Genuinely liked her—what he knew of her. Granted, he had only been in Devon less than a week, but he was more comfortable with Lady Blythe than he was with anyone other than Miles. He even felt calmer around Carny when she was near.
    With the Baker cleaned, Devlin slipped the rifle back into its case, washed his hands, undressed, and crawled into bed. He drifted off with images of Lady Blythe in his head, her laughter ringing in his ears.
    And for the first time in a long time, Devlin’s dreams were almost entirely pleasant.
     
    Not even five hours after going to bed, Devlin was awake again. He rose, washed, and dressed quickly and quietly. A trip downstairs confirmed no one else in the house was up yet. The only activity came from the servants, bustling about their morning chores.
    He had a cup of coffee and headed out to the stables wherehe spent half an hour chatting with the head groom, a man who reminded him much of Samuel, who had been Devlin’s father’s groom for many years while Devlin was growing up. He had been very attached to old Sam—he still was. Sam treated him more like a son than his real father had.
    After that he saddled Flynn and went for a ride down to the beach. The tide was high, lapping gently against the pebbled shore. Devlin let Flynn run along the water’s edge, laughing as the cool water sprayed up over his face and clothes. The wind stung his eyes and whipped through his hair as the sweet salt air filled his lungs. He felt good—better than he had in too long to remember. He wanted to hang on to it, yet he knew better than to believe such happiness would last. He hadn’t earned the right to grab on to it and keep it.
    But for now, he would enjoy it. Once he took possession of Rosewood he would make riding along the beach a daily occurrence. Perhaps he could convince Lady Blythe to join him.
    Good God, could he not go at least two hours without thinking about her? This was foolishness, truly. He strove to put her out of his mind and think instead about Rosewood and all the changes he would make if he managed to take possession. He wanted to see the inside in detail as well; peeking in windows wouldn’t do.
    By the time he returned to Brixleigh it was late morning, and many of the guests were up and about, taking breakfast, enjoying coffee in the garden, or playing at various games and diversions. Some of the footmen were setting up an expanse for target shooting.
    “Ah, Dev, there you are,” Miles greeted him as he entered the dining room. “I received word not even half an hour ago that Adams is expected back on Tuesday. Is that fine with you?”
    “Of course.” It was only Friday now—the house party would go on for another fortnight at least. There was plentyof time to meet with the solicitor, take a more detailed tour, and discuss purchasing Rosewood.
    He joined Miles and the others—Varya, Teresa, Carny, Lord and Lady Westwood, and Lord Harcourt—at the table after helping himself to the array of dishes on the sideboard. He was ravenous.
    Blythe joined the party a few moments later. She wore a blue morning gown that was obviously for her brother’s