Free Portrait of a Scandal by Danielle Lisle Page A

husband. “I believe his Lordship and I are going on a ride.”
    Geoff led her around to the stables, located at the back of the large townhouse. Four enclosed stalls lined the small block. Two large, black carriage horses craned their heads out of their stalls, watching the grooms who held two riding horses, no doubt eager for a treat or a pat from their handlers. Thomas stood next to the same stallion he had used for the hunt, over a month ago.
    She glanced at the horse’s leg. “He has healed well then, husband?”
    Thomas turned to her and patted the horse. “Indeed. It was lucky you were around to assist me in his care, my dear.”
    She raised an eyebrow at his sensual meaning but chose not to comment. Instead, she looked to the other horse, a fine-boned bay mare. “Your mother’s mare? What is her name?” Nellie asked as she moved forward to stroke the horse’s muzzle.
    Thomas chuckled. “Pearl.”
    She cast Thomas a look at his amused tone.
    “Mother did not favour the name she came with—Sally, I believe—and felt it important to change it. Though I do not know why.”
    “She is a beautiful animal, and clearly your mother felt she needed a more befitting name,” Nellie said, nodding to the groom, who came around and assisted her to mount.
    Beautiful she was, but Nellie quickly realised the horse was also as slow as a mule. As they rode down the street, she now understood why the groom had offered her a crop. She did not normally ride with one, simply because Geist had not needed it, though most women who rode side-saddle used a crop. Nellie had used it as a gentle reminder to this mare more than once already.
    As they rode through the grand entrance of Hyde Park, Nellie found herself in a sweat. She seemed to be working harder than the horse, especially in an effort to keep up with Thomas and his stallion’s easy gait.
    “Thomas, I think I will ride one of the carriage horses when we do this again. While your mother’s horse is indeed a pearl to look at, I can attest she is the laziest horse I have ever ridden.”
    Thomas barked a laugh. “Father said as much, and I fear that was his motivation in purchasing her for mother. I will send out enquires for a horse of your own. That is, if you are sure you do not want to bring Geist into town?”
    Nellie looked around at the distractions of the city as her ears picked up the bustle of noise and knew her horse would not like it here. He was a country being, not all that unlike herself. “No, I do not think he will fit in well here.”
    “Very well,” he said and moved his steed closer, so they rode with their legs touching.
    “Hyde Park is very different from this vantage point,” she commented, distracting herself from her charming and alluring husband. His smile alone had the power to melt her into a puddle. It did not help that she was reminded of last night with every rock of her hips against the hard surface of the saddle. It was indeed a teasing reminder. Surely, it would not take her a week to heal from her discomfort.
    “Yes. It is not as grand as the country, but it is London’s little hideaway,” he murmured, then chuckled. “It is also a grand place to take a lady. She is so preoccupied with the beauty of it, she is distracted from her suitor’s flaws.”
    Nellie cast him an amused look at his teasing tone, the brim of her top hat keeping the sun out of her eyes. “I do not know if that is true, my Lord. I have not become temporarily blind to your many flaws.”
     He regarded her in a cunning fashion. “And I thought I was doing so well at hiding them from you, wife.”
    “Hardly. Yet, while they are your flaws, they also happen to improve your assets, and I warn you not to ask what I feel those are. I will simply not tell, even if you do.”
    He laughed again, drawing the attention of those they passed. “I am so very glad I married you, Nel. You will indeed keep me on my toes.”
    A rush of pleasure swamped her. She was also