Free His Dark Enchantress (Books We Love Regency Romance) by Victoria Chatham

spots of high colour to her cheeks and a smile to her lips as she now drew ahead of her competitor. She urged Psyche onward, relishing the freedom and power of the headlong gallop.
    It wasn’t until she reached the end of the Row that she realized she was alone. She reined in and cantered in a slow circle, looking back to see where Lucius could be.
    He had dismounted and together with Noble was inspecting the bay’s foreleg. Beamish held Noble’s hack while Juliana leant forward in her saddle, a concerned frown upon her face. Emmaline rode towards them.
    “What happened?” she asked as she drew rein beside them.
    Lucius looked up. In spite of his concern for his horse’s wellbeing, one glance at Emmaline’s flushed face and brilliant eyes were enough to start that slow, familiar surge in his lower belly. He groaned inwardly.
    What was it about her that elicited this response in him?
    One look from her, he thought angrily, one thought of her and his body responded like an adolescent. He collected his thoughts and answered her question.
    “ I believe Archer has strained a tendon, poor fellow. He’ll be sore for a while.”
    Emmaline watched as Lucius ran his hand down the horse’s leg, his long fingers gently probing for the injury. Satisfied, he stood up and patted Archer’s neck. The horse nudged his shoulder.
    “Juliana and I will return Miss Devereux to her home,” Beamish offered.
    “Not without Noble, you won’t,” Lucius countered. He stood up, his face stern. “I will walk Archer home. Noble can ride with you and then bring Psyche along.”
    “I don’t like leaving you, my Lord,” Noble protested.
    “The choice is not yours to make, Noble. You have an order.”
    “That’s as maybe,” responded Noble stoutly, “but Archer should be in my care. You take my hack, my Lord.”
    “And have my peers see me astride that nag?”
    Noble puffed out his cheeks and looked down his nose in disgust. “That nag, as you refer to him, took care of you well enough in the hunting field when you were wet behind the ears so don’t insult him now.”
    Emmaline, expecting that Noble’s retort would earn him a stern rebuke, was amazed to see a wide grin split Lucius’ face. “You keep my cattle so well, Noble, I had almost forgotten that. Very well. Beamish, hand me those reins.”
    Lucius quickly mounted and the party returned to Montpelier Street at a sedate walk.
    Giles had been watching for them and came forward to hold Psyche’s bridle while Lucius helped Emmaline dismount. He offered Emmaline his arm to escort her to her front door. After a moment’s hesitation, she placed her hand in the crook of his elbow.
    “While you are in London please ride Psyche as often as you wish. The more exercise she has the better behaved she is. Just send word to Noble when it suits you.”
    “You are very kind, my Lord.” Emmaline stopped on the top step and turned to face him, a question on her lips. “Just how many horses do you keep in Town?”
    “Oh, a dozen or more,” Lucius replied carelessly.
    “You must be very rich.”
    “Disgustingly so.” Lucius caught her hand, his grey eyes teasing her as his lips brushed the backs of her gloved fingers.
    A tremor of desire shimmied through her frame and Emmaline knew he heard the hitch in her breath. He was like a cat playing with a mouse and she pulled her hand quickly from his grasp. How dare he!
    “Until our next meeting, Miss Devereux.”
    He bowed to her and Emmaline stood in the doorway and watched with her heart in her mouth as he strode across the pavement, took his reins and mounted his horse in one fluid, powerful movement. Juliana lifted her hand and waved goodbye as the group of riders moved off in a clatter of hooves.
    Emmaline wa ited until they disappeared from sight before entering the house to find Mrs. Babbidge in a fine fluster.
    “You have not one, but two invitations,” she announced. “I said you would be in demand.”
    “And to where have I