Surrender by Amanda Quick Page A

earlier in the evening and we can make our final plans. In the meantime—”
    Cleo Nettleship’s voice broke into Victoria’s instructions. “Vicky, dear, are you still out there? Don’t get too carried away or you will bore Lord Stonevale. Not everyone enjoys an extended tour of the conservatory, you know.”
    Lucas turned to see Lady Nettleship standing in the doorway, beaming at him. “I assure you, madam, I have never been less bored in my life.”
    “One rarely is around Victoria.”
    Lucas glanced at Victoria’s satisfied expression and then he looked once more at the yellow-gold bloom he had been examining earlier. “Before we leave the conservatory, Miss Huntington, I would appreciate it if you would tell me the name of this strange plant.”
    “Strelitzia reginae
. Everyone was thrilled when the first one flowered at Kew. Aunt Cleo and I were very fortunate to have this one bloom, too. Magnificent, isn’t it?” Victoria said excitedly.
    Lucas looked at her. She was glowing with life in her yellow-gold gown. Her amber eyes were brilliant. “Yes,” he said. “Magnificent.”

5

    O ne week later Victoria put on her new yellow-trimmed brown riding habit, adjusted the dashing little military-style hat with its yellow feather at a rakish angle over one eye, and called for her favorite horse and groom. It was five o’clock and nearly everyone would be riding in the park.
    Everyone
today had better include the Earl of Stonevale. Last night, during the five minutes she’d had with him at the Bannerbrook rout, Victoria had given him very strict instructions to put in an appearance. She had a few things to say to him.
    The problem in dealing with Lucas, Victoria had discovered, was that although he appeared unfailingly obedient when it came to receiving her instructions, he had a nasty habit of carrying them out in his own way. Enough was enough.
    Cleo was crossing the hall into the library when Victoria came down the stairs. She peered at her niece in mild astonishment. “Going riding this afternoon, my dear?”
    “Yes, I am. I feel in need of a little exercise.” Victoriapaused briefly to kiss Cleo’s cheek before hurrying toward the door. “Don’t worry, I shall be home in plenty of time to dress for Grimshaw’s little lecture on recent agricultural improvements in Yorkshire.”
    “Excellent.” Cleo smiled benignly. “I am quite looking forward to it and so is Lucas.”
    Victoria halted on the threshold and whirled around. “I beg your pardon?”
    “I merely said I was quite looking forward to Grimshaw’s lecture.”
    “You said Lucas was looking forward to it.”
    “Oh, yes, I did, didn’t I? And so he is. Told me so himself. Well, it’s only natural he’d be interested, isn’t it? His estates are, after all, somewhere in Yorkshire, I believe. I invited him on Wednesday when I was showing him my new dahlia plants. I must say the earl seems to be developing more than a passing interest in horticulture and related matters,” Cleo remarked.
    Yes, the earl did seem to be developing more than a passing interest in the subject, Victoria thought grimly, adjusting her small hat with a quick yank. Lately, in fact, his interest in matters of horticulture and agriculture had begun to border on the keen. She was beginning to feel she was running a poor second to such fascinating topics as methods of manuring and crop rotation.
    For a man who only a week ago had seemed bent on seduction, he had certainly veered off course recently. Victoria did not know whether to be incensed or relieved.
    A few minutes later she entered the park at a brisk trot, her groom following discreetly behind her on a pony. The public trails were thronged with elegantly attired riders, curricles, and small, open carriages. At this time of day the social world went into the park to see and be seen, not to actually ride for pleasure or exercise. That sort of riding was done in the early-morning hours.
    Victoria automatically