Free THE DEFIANT LADY by Samantha Garman Page A

library, poured himself a liberal amount of brandy and settled down to wait for dawn, knowing it would not ease his torment.

    ***

    Her afternoon with Cy in the library left her shaken. She could not believe her own shamelessness, or Cy’s deliciously naughty words to her. It left her breathless and mortified that she had spurned him on, but helpless to stop it. She did not think young women were at all eager for this sort of attention. It only proved to her that she was, indeed, not a lady.
    That night, Ivy pleaded to have a headache so she could be excused from dinner. She went to bed early, but sleep eluded her. Watching the dawn’s rays creep through the blue curtains, she finally decided to rise. She had not slept much, and there was no point lingering in bed. She did not ring for a maid but chose instead to dress herself in a dark purple riding habit. She walked to the stables and apologized to the sleepy stable boy, who promptly saddled the lively mare Cy had given her. She mounted the horse and rode off at a breakneck pace. She took in deep breaths, hoping to dispel the tension boiling with in her.
    Ballet used to soothe her in every way, but now she turned to riding. In the past, she had only enjoyed riding moderately but now found great pleasure in it. When had the change come? she wondered.
    As she looped around the countryside, she slowed her mare and headed back towards her grandmother’s property. She decided it was best not to question life further, and declared to be more carefree and willing to accept the things that were happening to her, for she was unable to change or stop them.
    When she arrived back to the manor, she had an early breakfast alone and then went upstairs for a nap. Ivy awoke in early afternoon, feeling quite restored.
      A maid bustled into her room and said, “Miss Ivy! Thank goodness you are finally awake! The Earl of Stanton is downstairs!”
    Desperately wanting a bath, she replied, “Please tell him I will be down shortly.”
    ‘Shortly’ turned into an hour. She found Cy in the drawing room playing chess with Willow, who seemed to be a much better student than Ivy. He rose when she entered and reached for her hand. She noticed the shadows beneath his eyes and wondered about them.
    “Forgive me for making you wait,” she said.
    Cy kissed her hand. “Not at all. Your sister was indulging me in a game of chess.”  
    He smiled at Willow, who replied, “I am quite intrigued with this game now.”
    Ivy shook her head. “Then perhaps you should help me the next time I play against the Earl. I have no skill for the game and will need every bit of help.”
    They all laughed.
    “Good to see you, My Lord,” Willow said with a curtsy just before she threw her sister a swift look and left the room. The door closed, and Cy and Ivy were alone.
    “How did you sleep?”
    Ivy grinned sheepishly. “I saw the dawn, then went for an early morning ride, came home and then promptly took a nap. And you?”
    He tugged on her hand and kissed her palm. “I, too, saw the dawn. Come, I have a picnic planned for us.”
    “A picnic?” she asked.
    He grinned. “I am appealing to your sense of adventure.”
    On their way out, a smiling maid handed them a basket. Cy took Ivy’s hand in his and led her outside into the sunny day. As they made their way through open fields, Ivy noticed the new blooms of spring.   A plethora of purple, pink and blue flowers scattered their path, their fragrance tickling her nose.
    Cy escorted her to the top of a hill around a bend, just out of view of any possible passersby. He spread out a plaid blanket that was in the basket and made sure she was settled before he took a seat next to her. She made a grab for the basket and began to unpack it. Delighted, she pulled out cold chicken, rolls and dried fruit. They sat together quietly and exchanged thoughtful looks as they ate.
    Once they were finished eating, Cy took out a deck of cards and grinned, “Ready for a