Free Improper Seduction by Temple Rivers

 
    Chapter 1
    England, 1890
     
    Lady Chastity Lockham, Baroness Charring, found herself in a most peculiar – and, yes, most uncomfortable – position.
    And Thomas, the stable master, seemed to have no intention of making the situation less awkward. Or, at the least, less appalling. In fact, she was quite sure he relished throwing oil on the already smoldering fire.
    Chastity's husband, Baron Charring, Lord Oscar Lockham, hadn't returned to his estate in Dorset for nearly six months – almost half a year! They'd hardly been married one year. And, although Chastity grudgingly admitted that his absence had not troubled her over much, when all was said and done, they'd spent very little time together.
    Now her husband was returning, and she weighed the idea of informing him that Thomas, the stable master, simply had to be let go. Or to ignore the situation that'd been brewing these last few weeks.
    His lordship, the Baron, would not like to see such a fine stable master as Thomas leave his employ without good reason, for the man possessed an uncanny and unique ability to handle ... stallions and mares and ... Well, all horse flesh seemed to quiver under his broad hands and sure fingers.
    Chastity kept her eyes focused on those hands and those fingers right now as Thomas groomed her mare. Oh, my. Why did the man make her heart flutter irrationally and her pulse throb erratically at her neck?
    The Baron would certainly demand to know why Chastity wanted Thomas dismissed. And what reply would she give?
    She could hardly confess to that. To the uncontrollable flutter of a heart. The quickening of a breath at the mere scent of him – leather and horses mingled with something indefinable. She could not tell her absentee husband the truth, now could she?
    And Thomas, dratted man, only made the situation more difficult.
    "Do ye ken what I do when a mare refuses to let a stallion near her, m'lady?" The casual question came from Thomas, out of the blue, with no preamble or hint of impropriety. The query could've been innocuous.
    Oh, no, Chastity realized, the question was not casual. It was outrageous. Preposterous. And shamefully exciting. She glared at his broad back even as her hands clenched at her waist and her stays seemed insufferably constrictive.
    "W – what's that?" she asked, watching the muscles ripple beneath Thomas' cotton shirt, rolled up at the sleeve and open nearly to the waist. The very sight of his body made her grow damp with unfamiliar desires.
    Her husband, she remembered suddenly, was unflatteringly ... doughy. White flesh over flaccid muscles. Hairless legs and chest. She knew these things from touch, not sight, because his lordship insisted their few intimate moments be conducted in the dark with as much clothing between them as possible. Brief, perfunctory, unsatisfactory.
    Chastity wondered if the mare felt the same when the stallion mounted her.
    "When the mare refuses to let the stallion ... mount her – " Thomas glanced over his shoulder, eyes aimed at her boots.
    "Wh – what do you do?" she whispered, her throat dry. She moistened her lips.
    Before answering her, Thomas turned from brushing the chestnut mare and observed Chastity with those light blue, unearthly eyes. He'd never touched her, not once, even to assist her at – at mounting her horse, but his eyes – God, his eyes caressed her in a thousand outrageously subtle ways.
    Those pale blue eyes were laughing at her now. "Pardon, m'lady? I dinna hear what you asked."
    He'd heard her all right. Wretched man! She firmed her lips and narrowed her eyes. Thomas was a stable master, far below her in station! She wouldn't fluster before him. "How – exactly – do you get the mare to cooperate?" She spoke each word distinctly in a hard, clipped voice, very much the lady of the manor.
    Thomas smiled, slowly , sensually. "I – well, I simply ... stimulate her. Rub her. Caress her. As long as necessary." He wouldn't look away from her even though