Portrait of a Scandal by Danielle Lisle Page B

the Earl of Combleton. He is a dear friend of my father’s. My Lord—my wife, Lady Sterling.”
    Nellie curtsied and the earl allowed his eyes to move over her in quick perusal. Thomas ground his teeth in irritation at the foetid old man.
    “A pleasure, Lady Sterling. However, I feel my visit may be in vain,” the earl said with a sigh.
    “Really, my Lord? Why is that?” she asked, as she cast Thomas an eager smile.
    “Come and see for yourself,” Thomas offered, holding out his hand, which she instantly slid hers through. She pulled herself close to him, her lush breast pillowing against his arm. He gritted his teeth in an attempt to control his cock. He did not want his lust for his wife viewed by all.
    As they walked through the house and towards the stables, the earl and Nellie politely conversing along the way, Thomas realised how much he enjoyed having a wife. Certainly, it had been only a few days—two, in fact—but already he relished her company and her presence in his home. Not to mention his bed. For a maiden, she had learnt very quickly.
    A copper bay mare was standing in the yard behind the townhouse, ears pricked as they approached. What a stunning steed. The horse’s flowing black mane shone in the glowing sunlight as it flicked in the soft breeze. Her eyes were sharp, and her thick, arched neck set the tone of her solid but graceful body.
    “I won her in a card game from the former German ambassador last year. While fine to look at, she does nothing but cost me for her keep. It is a pity she would not suit you, my Lady,” the earl said, rather sadly.
    Nellie looked up at Thomas and he smiled. “Father mentioned to the earl I was seeking a horse, but he did not mention it was for my wife, not me. The earl thinks she is too wild to be a lady’s hack,” Thomas said with amusement. He saw understanding in her expression.
    “Well, then, there is no harm in my looking since you took the trouble to bring her over,” Nellie said to the earl, releasing the arm she had on Thomas and moving towards the animal. Thomas and the earl followed. “What is her name?”
    “Her papers say Teufel Tochter ,” the earl said in a very poor tongue. “Though I believe the ambassador called her Karla.”
    Nellie looked amused. “Her name is the Devil’s Daughter?”
    The earl appeared as confused as Thomas felt. “Pardon?” the earl asked.
    She shook her head, removing her glove as she walked up beside the mare, then allowing the horse to sniff her naked palm. “ Teufel Tochter means ‘the devil’s daughter’ in German.”
    “Your knowledge of the language still amazes me, wife. How well versed are you really?” he asked, not sure whether to be amused, pleased or envious.
    She chuckled as the horse warily sniffed her palm. “Enough to get me by,” she said, before cooing to the horse and speaking in a foreign tongue, no doubt German. The horse’s ears perked up. Then, without hesitation, she nuzzled Nellie’s palm before taking a step forward and nudging her affectionately in the chest.
    “Well, I never,” the groom holding the horse muttered.
    Nellie patted the horse’s forehead and looked to the man. “Have you been her groom then?”
    “Yes, me Lady,” the man said, in a thick Irish accent. “Since ‘ze Lordship’s had ‘im, anyway.”
    “What can you tell me about her? Is she sound?”
    The earl scoffed. “Should you not be asking me such questions, my Lady?”
    Nellie looked surprised, though Thomas suspected it was feigned. “I am sorry, my Lord. I got the impression you do not ride her, and I would assume that her groom does so to keep her in good health and would therefore know her better. You ride her, then?” she asked the earl.
    He frowned. “No, her groom does.”
    Thomas was amused by the earl’s sudden sunken expression as Nellie turned her attention back to the groom and awaited his answer.
    “She be a fine steed, me Lady. Bar she be a feisty miss when she wants it,