Free A Duchess in the Dark by Kate McKinley Page A

mouth before they were off, leaving her completely alone with the beastly horse in the middle of a muddy field. Meanwhile, Chocolate had found a patch of freshly sprouted grass and was munching away happily, with no inclination to move whatsoever. Not even a swift kick to the flank could inspire movement.
    Olivia sat, looking out over the field, then looking back at the house, now just a white speck in the distance, when a strong, male voice rang out somewhere to her left.
    “Well, well.”
    She twisted to see Lord Huntington approach on a sleek-looking gray mount. He rode with the agility of a true horseman, his body swaying gracefully with each movement, strong and in control.
    He sidled up to her. “Miss Dewhurst.”
    Oh, of course it would be him to discover her this way. Her eyes met his, and for a moment, her breath held. He was just as handsome as she remembered, with dark, wavy hair and chocolate-brown eyes that flicked over her with interest.
    It’d been two long years since she’d seen him last—since the night she’d jilted him. He was much the same—authoritative with a hint of devilish charm. Only his outward appearance had altered. No longer did he wear the crisp, serviceable attire of a tradesman. This morning, he wore a blue coat made of the finest quality, tan breeches, and a pair of Hessians that were a stark reminder of his new, elevated station.
    His smile was slow and lazy, as though he sensed her unease and relished it.
    Her heart thudded wildly against her ribs. She closed her eyes and tipped her head up casually, as if enjoying the sunshine. “Hello, my lord. Beautiful morning, isn’t it?”
    “You appear to be having difficulties.”
    If she had any sense at all, she’d ask him to help her dismount and drag the plodding beast back to the stables. But pride prevented her from accepting help from him. Instead, she glanced at her horse, then back up at the sky. “No, indeed. Chocolate and I are just enjoying the sunshine.”
    “In a muddy field?”
    “As you see.” She spared a quick glance at him. He was looking down at her suspiciously. “What’s wrong with a muddy field?”
    He shrugged his broad shoulders. “If you ever wish to return to the house, that horse won’t do.”
    Chocolate’s ears twitched, as though she sensed the criticism, and she moved to another patch grass, taking Olivia right along with her, as though she were nothing more than a flea on her back.
    “She’s a bit stubborn,” Olivia admitted. “I think she may have issues with authority.”
    “She just needs a strong hand, like most females.”
    Olivia pursed her lips. She remembered his strong, capable hands, and the wicked things he’d done to her. While she was still strictly a virgin, they’d stretched the definition of the word to its very limits.
    “A strong hand.” She rolled her eyes. “What a masculine thing to say.”
    He didn’t even have the decency to flinch at her comment. “Why on earth would you consent to such an outing when you clearly have no talent for riding? You would have done better to stay home.”
    She stiffened, indignant. “I ride exceptionally well, thank you kindly.”
    He smiled, flashing that damnable dimple in the side of his cheek. “I think we both know you can ride only marginally well. I wouldn’t even venture to call your skills on a horse sufficient. Certainly not well enough to be traipsing through muddy fields alone.”
    Her cheeks heated. How dare he! The truth of his statement was of little consequence. Her pride flared, and before she could think better of it, she said, “My skills can hardly be measured while riding such an impossible creature. This horse is unnaturally ornery. I venture to say that even you , my lord, couldn’t command her.”
    “You are wrong about that, Miss Dewhurst. I can be quite persuasive when the mood strikes.” His hot gaze raked down her body, briefly stopping at her breasts, then meandering down to the V between her thighs.