Surrender by Amanda Quick Page B

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 smiled and greeted
    her myriad acquaintances while keeping an
    eagle eye out for Lucas. She was beginning
    to think he had deliberately avoided the
    meeting altogether and was wondering what
    his excuse would be, when he materialized
    at her elbow on a spectacular chestnut. For
    a moment she forgot her annoyance.
      What an excellent animal, Lucas. He's
    beautiful."
    Lucas smiled faintly." Thank you. I'm
    rather fond of old George, myself. We've
    been through a lot together, haven't we,
    George?"
    Victoria wrinkled her nose." Did you
    name him after the king?"
      No. I named him George because
    George seemed a simple enough name
    for me to remember."
      No one's likely to forget a horse like
    that, regardless of his name. Have you any
    colts by him?" Victoria asked.
      Not yet, but George has big plans for
    the future."
    At this, she grinned." I see. You expect
    him to sire a dynasty?"
      Why not? The male of the species has
    certain obligations when he bears the sort
    of bloodlines old George here bears. We
    men do what we must, don't we, old
    boy?" He patted the stallion's neck and the
    horse ducked his head and blew through
    his nose.
    Victoria's grin faded. She was sorry
    she had raised the topic of dynasty
    founding. Lucas occasionally made an
    oblique reference to the little matter of
    his future obligations to his name and title
    and she had discovered she preferred to
    avoid the subject. The idea of the present
    Earl of stone vale someday taking a wife
    and getting himself an heir was becoming
    strangely unpalatable.
      Well, he's a lovely animal, but that
    is not what I wish to discuss with you,
    Lucas," she said quickly.
      I regret to hear that. I enjoy talking
    about horses." Lucas nodded politely
    toward a middle-aged man and woman
    in a handsome carriage. They smiled back
    and glanced pointedly at Victoria.
    Victoria summoned up a regal smile for
    Lord Foxton and his lady and urged her
    horse to a slightly faster pace. Lucas and
    George promptly fell behind. She glanced
    back over her shoulder and scowled.
      Really, Lucas, do stop dawdling. I told
    you I specifically wish to speak to you
    today."
      Then don't rush ahead without warning
    like that."
      I was trying to avoid having to speak
    to Lady Foxton. She was giving me a very
    knowing look. And she's not the first to do
    so. That's one of the things I wanted to
    discuss with you, Lucas. People are starting
    to notice our, uh, association."
      What did you expect? You know as well
    as I do that if two people dance more
    than twice together at a ball, someone will
    wonder if there's a marriage offer brewing,"
    Lucas said.
      But we do not dance together."
      Details. We've been paired off at a few
    routs and that's enough." He tipped his
    hat to another elderly lady, who smiled
    archly.
      Never mind that.