Taming the Duke by Jackie Manning Page A

over the saddle, easing into the lead. Just then, Alicia spotted the small cottage sitting to the left of the livery stable. If she were to veer to the right of the bungalow, then go behind the stables along the shorter path to the paddock entrance, she might beat Dalton, after all.
    When they were within a hundred yards of the stable, Alicia urged her mount to the left. When Dalton glanced up to see where she was going, it was too late for him to follow. Alicia raced Mischief toward the bungalow. Passing the stable, she brought her mount along the side of the paddock.
    Several grooms rushed toward her and helped her dismount. Her heart pounded in sweet satisfaction. A few seconds later, Dalton arrived on his stallion, and dismounted a few feet from her.
    His mouth lifted in a crooked smile. “You win, Lady Alicia.”
    “And a fair win it was,” she returned, waiting for his chiding to follow. Instead, he said nothing as he tossed the reins to a waiting groom.
    Dalton would have won if she hadn’t veered from the path, and his gallantry wasn’t making her winning as satisfying as she’d hoped. It was almost as if he didn’t care who won.
    “Too bad we didn’t place a wager,” he offered finally, his heated gaze fixed on her. “I might have tried harder.”
    “Of course! How could I have forgotten that unless one bets, it’s not worth doing?” She glared at him. “I should be returning to Bashshar.”
    “Dressed in such lovely finery?”
    For the moment, she’d forgotten about her riding habit. A heat rose to her cheeks, and she wished he would leave. If only he had mentioned that he was engaged earlier.
    But why should he? Dalton considered her nothing more than a stable hand, a nursemaid for his horse. Oh, why had she let Olivia talk her into leaving the stable and pretending to be someone she could never be?
    Anger, frustration and something she didn’t recognize flamed within her. She was a lady, even if she had been snubbed by the ton. “Yes, I’ll change into something more suitable. If you’ll excuse me—”
    Dalton grabbed her by the shoulders and swung her to face him. “I don’t know what possessed Elizabeth to act the way she did. Elizabeth and I aren’t engaged.”
    “It’s none of my concern.” She brushed his hands from her shoulders.
    “There’s nothing between us, Alicia. I have no arrangement with Elizabeth. We’re both free to do what we want.”
    “I didn’t ask you for an explanation.” Alicia stepped back, but he moved with her.
    “We’re not engaged.” He took her hand.
    She felt his warmth, so close. Much too close. She felt suddenly dizzy. “Please, let me go.”
    “It’s important that you believe me.”
    “Oh, I see. Elizabeth is the liar and you’re telling me the truth. Is that it?” The paddock fencing seemed to spin around her. She felt warm and light-headed when he looked at her in such an intimate way.
    “I don’t want you to think worse of me than you already do.”
    “I suggest you have this conversation with your lady love, not with me.” Alicia tried to shake free of his hand, but he held her fast.
    “Alicia, please—”
    “Lady Alicia, if you please.” They faced each other, the awkward silence adding to the void between them. Finally, he released her. She gathered her skirts and rushed from the paddock.
    Her hands were still trembling when she dashed inside the cottage and closed the door. She leaned against the smooth wood, her heart pounding. She squeezed her eyes shut. The handsome face of Dalton Warfield, the duke of Wexton, flooded her mind. His passionate eyes burned into her soul.
    Dalton had looked so earnest, so trusting. Elizabeth and I aren’t engaged .
    Why should she care if Dalton was telling the truth? She opened her eyes to her own painful truth. She did care. God help her, but she wanted to believe him.

Chapter Four
    D alton gripped the reins of his mount with practiced control as he rode along the bridle path. Despite