Lord Love a Duke by Renee Reynolds

assure you I do not mind
the task. In fact, I was looking for just such an opportunity to
assuage my boredom from work. But as you have stated twice now that
my company is unnecessary, I must ask if it is also unwanted. I
would by no means wish to make you suffer my presence."

    Juliet looked shocked at the idea then
flushed with embarrassment. "Your Grace, I must apologize. I only
meant you need not concern yourself with such a mundane task. I
would be happy to provide you some entertainment, although you may
find your boredom will not be alleviated thus."

    Jonas laughed but gave her a quizzical look.
"Lady Juliet, you continually surprise me. I have never met a
female so disinclined to flatter herself as you. I am confident I
shall survive the ennui of your company. The truer question is
whether you shall survive mine."

    She chuckled in return and some of her
obvious discomfort eased, although her heart pounded with
anticipation, the cause of which she could not fathom. "It seems we
both offer such low expectations that we are sure to surpass them.
If you are determined to come then I am determined to allow it."
She gave him a saucy smile as Thomas arrived with her gloves. The
Duke stepped in front of her and returned her bonnet to her head
from its resting place hanging down her back. Juliet thought her
skin felt scorched where his hands briefly brushed her neck as he
retied her bow. She murmured her thanks and moved toward the
door.

    Hastings opened the door and they walked
down the short stairway to the pebbled drive. Juliet greeted the
groom from her stables, thanking him warmly and passing him coin
for the delivery. She turned to the Duke with a contented
smile.

    "Your Grace, may I present the finest horse
in all of Sussex. In truth she is both wickedly smart and shrewd,
and fast as the wind as she leaves others in her wake.” She paused
and chose her next words carefully, finally opting for teasing
sarcasm. “I am sorry to imply the occupants of your stables are
inferior, but it is a sad truth, as I am sure you must now agree."
She reached out to rub her mount's velvety nose and received a
nickering response. The mare nudged her mistress and was rewarded
with a sought-after rub on her muzzle.

    The Duke appraised the spirited Arabian with
an experienced eye, noting the sleek coat and mane, and her
majestic stance. Although appearing white in color, pure Arabians
were called gray, yet Juliet's horse was without any discoloration
or markings. "I will admit that she seems a pretty piece of
horseflesh, but I will reserve judgment as to the veracity of your
claims against my stables. In truth, I cannot verify your claims
without seeing your mare in action."

    Juliet straightened to her full height and
took several steps to stand in front of the Duke. He was again
reminded how she tall she was, the top of her head nearly coming to
the tip of his nose. He glanced over her frame, quickly calculating
her long slender arms likely meant she possessed long, slender
legs. He took a step back at the heat that washed over him at that
conclusion, silently cursing his wayward thoughts. He raised his
eyes to her and saw a hint of bravado in their depths.

    "That sounds very much like a challenge,
Your Grace, and I am afraid that I am very fond of challenges. Do
you fancy a race, good sir?" She quirked a single eyebrow up, her
eyes wide with adventure.

    Good lord but she's beautiful , he
thought. He gave himself a mental shake at the improper thoughts he
was entertaining toward his sister's best friend and decided a good
race was exactly what he needed. "I, too, appreciate a challenge. I
believe you have offered me a respite from my boredom, my lady." He
grabbed her hand and raised it to brush a light kiss across her
knuckles, immediately regretting his actions as he felt his lips
tingle from that slight contact. She had removed her dainty lace
gloves but had not yet donned her leather riding gloves. The
contact with her bare skin