wood stove, while she drank hot chocolate he'd made for her with the cream from the top of the milk. She wore his robe, the quilted red linen trailing on the floor when she walked, the sleeves rolled up several times, the belt wrapped twice around her waist.
He'd slipped on a pair of twill trousers, well worn and faded to a fawn color, and after a night of sustained and impassioned sex, she wondered that he could arouse her
97
still with no more than a glance at his lean, bronzed body.
"I wish you'd put more clothes on."
"I'm too hot." He glanced over at her, his dark tousled hair falling over one eye. He brushed it aside with the back of his hand, his fingertips wet from the eggs he was cracking into a bowl. "And I mean it in every possible way. It's your fault completely I'm still in full rut after fucking you all night."
"What if I get pregnant?"
The egg he was cracking smashed against the bowl with unforeseen violence, oozing down the side and onto the tabletop.
"Sorry," she murmured.
"My fault," he said, wiping his hands on a damp towel and cleaning up the mess, his expression star- tlingly blank when he turned around. "If that should happen, let me know."
"My apologies for even bringing it up, but I'm normally overly cautious on that account." She smiled. "I'm reasonably logical again in the light of day, although watching you in half-undress is highly stimulating."
"Eat first." He turned back to the stove. "I'll walk into the nearby town later and get some condoms."
"I'll come with you."
"If you don't mind the distance. We probably should have kept the carriage."
"When is your driver returning?"
"I told him to check in two days."
She grinned. "So confident, my lord. Am I your prisoner, then?"
"I think I'm yours."
9«
"How sweet."
"I'm not so sure about being sweet, but I'm damned infatuated. Now make yourself useful and cut us some slices of bread."
In short order, they carried their breakfast to a small flagstone terrace facing the river, where a weathered teak table and chairs were positioned for a view of the water. They ate under the spring sun, talking idly of the few acquaintances they had in common, of their plans for the day, their walk into town, fishing, swimming . It seemed as though they'd known each other for a very long time, a sense of ease and tranquility both comforting and in stark contrast to their heated night.
Later, while they enjoyed their coffee and chocolate, Jack said, "I've been thinking that I really should buy some hospital supplies for my tenants. You could advise me on how to set up an infirmary at Castlereagh , and I could duplicate it at my other properties."
"Don't feel obligated."
"Not at all. I just never considered setting up a hospital on my estates."
"I'd be happy to help, of course."
"Good." He could keep her for a time, he thought, personal motive auxiliary to his duties as a landlord. "When we go back to the city then, I'll take advantage of your expertise."
"What expertise?"
The male voice heard at close range was all too familiar, and Jack braced himself for their visitor. A second later, Ned Darlington strolled around the corner of the cottage still attired in evening dress, his sartorial disarray bespeaking a night of carouse.
"I hope you're alone," Jack brusquely said.
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"Of course. Would I trespass on your secret hermitage with a stranger? Although it looks as though you've relaxed your stringent rule concerning women." Ned glanced at Venus with a broad smile, his bow mildly unsteady. "And yes, thank you very much, I'd love something to eat," he drawled, pulling up a bench and joining them. "You must be Venus."
"Darling, this is my oldest and rudest friend," Jack declared, his reluctance obvious. "Ned, may I present Miss Duras —whom I trust you'll not remember having met when next we see you."
"My lips are sealed." He mimicked locking his mouth and tossing away the key.
"See that you recall your promise once you're sober again," the
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