The Duke's Blind Temptation (4 page)

Her sweet lemony fragrance still lingered in the room. She’d tasted of strawberries and cream. The memory of her luscious curves and downy skin would haunt his dreams.

Thank goodness he couldn’t carry her down the corridor, up the stairs, and lay her across his bed. Pain and despair ripped across his chest.

She’d made him feel again, taken him out of his protective cover, and he didn’t know what to do now. Damn her
.

* * * *

Ellie couldn’t forget the wonderful feelings Rafe had aroused in her. She wasn’t able to blank him out of her mind and go on as if nothing had happened. As though mocking her, the last few days had been sunny. She wanted to go riding, but she knew her weakness would take her back to him. He didn’t want her and, as he said, didn’t need her. She mustn’t keep throwing herself at him. Plus, there was the ever-present danger of getting caught. Yet the temptation weighed on her every day.

“Eleanor,”—her mother walked into the library where Ellie tried, in vain, to read—”the weather is beautiful. I’m surprised you’re not outside.”

“I’ve been thinking about going for a ride.”

“You should. With so much rain lately, you don’t want to waste the few good days.”

Ellie glanced out the window. She feared the joy beginning to bubble inside her. A picnic lunch, a sunny day, and Rafe not that far away. Her worn-down resistance melted.

“You’re right. It’s a perfect day, and I’m wasting it.”

Ellie raced up the stairs, calling to Trudy as she went. She changed into her green riding habit then rushed to the kitchen and asked cook to help her pack a picnic lunch. After cook finished, she thanked her, took the package, grabbed a bottle of wine at the last minute, and sped to the stable.

Her mare was frisky and as ready for an outing as she was. In a short time she’d arrived at Rafe’s lodge.

When Booth opened the door, he frowned. “Miss Upton, he will be very angry. Please go home.”

“No, Booth. He needs to get outside in the fresh air. Go have his horse saddled. I’ll convince him to join me for a ride.”

“You are stubborn, Miss Upton.” He looked askance. Then added, “I’m afraid he’ll hurt you.”

“Don’t worry about me, Booth. I know what I’m doing.”
I hope
.
 

Booth shook his head but started out the door. “He’s in the dining room,” he added before he left. “The last room on the right.”

“Thanks.” Ellie marched down the passageway ready to do battle, if necessary.

The aroma of coffee, ham, and sweet rolls filled the air when Ellie stepped inside the room. Rafe, coffee cup in hand, turned toward the door.

“Booth?”

“It’s Ellie.”

He slammed his cup on the table, sloshing coffee on the white tablecloth. “Didn’t you have enough of my foul humor last week?”

“Apparently not.” She didn’t wait to be invited to join him. “The ham and sweet rolls smell divine.”

“Help yourself. And when you finish, go home.”

Ellie, ignoring his comment, walked to the sideboard and placed two sweet rolls on a plate. She’d eaten little the last few days and needed fortification to enact her plan. She sat across from him and poured a cup of coffee.

“Comfortable?”

“How did you know I’d sat down?”

He ignored her question and asked, “Why are you here?”

“Today, we’re going to start on a program to get you outside and more independent. I think it might improve your mood.”

“I don’t recall agreeing to any of your plans.”

“Just believe I know best.”

“A baby is going to teach me. I think not.”

“I’m not a baby. But you’re acting like one. Let me help you, please. Wouldn’t you like to go for a ride rather than sit in this house and frown all day?”

* * * *

With all his strength, Rafe pushed away the hopeful feeling her arrival brought. All week, he’d paced during the days and tossed and turned at night, recalling their last meeting. He’d both wanted her to return and dreaded the possibility. He’d thought this morning he might be over the worst of his longing, and here she was again, disrupting his life. Deliberately, he took his time answering her. After a swallow of coffee and the last bite of his roll, he wiped his mouth with his handkerchief.

“I’ll walk outside with you. I’m not promising anything else.”

A yearning went through him. Months had passed since he’d returned from the war. And except for their brief walk and when he’d moved here, he had stayed inside. He had nothing to lose. Otherwise, his days would continue as a repeat of yesterday and all the other days since his war injury.

Rafe wished he could see her. The sound of her melodious voice echoed in his memory. His cock twitched at the thought of her warm, receptive body. His control was gone. He wanted her, badly. He was hungry, but not for food.

“Are you finished?” he asked her.

“Yes. I’ll take your arm, and we’ll walk out the front way.”

He stood. He heard her steps as she crossed to his side. As she slid her arm around his, her fresh fragrance surrounded him. “What are you wearing today?”

“I’m wearing my forest-green riding habit.”

He heard the door open just as they got to it. “Booth, where have you been?”

“Eh, Miss Upton requested I saddle Star, my lord.”

“Ellie, you said a walk outside. I’m not dressed for—nor interested in—riding.”

“You love to ride. I’ll go with you.”

“Well, if I did try, a man, not a woman, would be my companion in case Star decided to take me for a gallop.”

She pulled her arm away. He pictured her standing defiantly in front of him with her hands on her hips.

“If you remember I outrode most of the boys in the area.”

Her cool voice made his lips curve into a faint smile. “We were much younger.”

“Are you frightened?” she taunted.

“Not of anything.” He meant it. Hell, he hadn’t even cared if he died. Not until this past week when a ridiculous flicker of hope kept trying to take hold in his soul.

“Then let Booth help you change into your riding clothes. Join me, please.”

The challenge hung in the air. He was torn between wanting to shake her hard and the desire to kiss her breathless. Instead, he motioned to Booth and turned in the direction of his room.

Chapter Four

Star’s muscles rippled under Rafe’s thighs, and sunlight warmed his face. The sense of freedom tasted sweet.

“A smile. I thought you’d forgotten how.” Her soft voice reminded him he wasn’t alone. For a second, he’d forgotten.

“Where shall we ride?” she asked.

“There’s a waterfall by the side of a small pond toward the southeast corner of my land. We’ll ride there. Watch for a crossroads in the path and turn left.”

Ellie told him what she saw as they rode along. Her keen descriptions assured him they were headed in the right direction. How had he forgotten the simple wonder of riding? Even without his eyesight, he still easily pictured how everything looked.

They took their time. He savored the smells of fresh-cut hay floating along on the breeze. Birds chirped in the nearby trees, and the creak of the saddle was like music to his ears.

Ellie’s voice broke into his reverie. “I see it ahead,” she said and directed him where to turn.

As they got close, he heard the fall of water splashing into the pond. His favorite place. Mist caressed his face. He pulled on the reins, and Star stopped.

“Let’s dismount and stay here for a time,” Ellie said.

He heard her get off her horse. If he could see, he would have helped her down. He was lucky to get himself off without looking too awkward. But he was surprised at the ease of his movements as he swung his leg over. His eyes may not work, but his body remembered what to do.

* * * *

The ground was marshy near the pond, and Ellie glanced around to find a dry spot for her blanket. After spreading the cover out, she removed meat, bread, and fruit from one knapsack and then a bottle of wine and two glasses from the other.

Rafe stood at the edge of the water, his face tilted toward the falls. She wished she knew his thoughts. Sunlight danced over his black hair, and she admired his long, lean body. She so wanted him to love her. If sheer desire and determination were all that were needed, then he would.

The first time he’d come to call on her sister, envy had lodged in her heart. She’d flushed as her heart beat fast and hard whenever he looked her way and smiled. She’d realized even then he had only seen her as the little tomboy beside her two willowy, blonde, never-a-hair-out-of-place sisters.

She sighed. He’d never want to marry her. He’d eventually be a duke. He needed a wife who knew how to be a proper hostess. One who understood politics. Nevertheless, she wanted
him
.

“Why the deep sigh?” he asked.

“Nothing, really,” she lied.

His eyebrows rose, but he didn’t challenge her.

“Come, join me.” She went to him and led him to the blanket. “Sit. I have a picnic lunch for us.” She directed his hand to the meat, bread, and fruit. “And I have an opened bottle of wine and two glasses.” She poured the white wine into the crystal stemware and put it in his hand. She toasted him. “I hope this is the first of many outings for you.”

He smiled, and her heart swelled with joy. His lips touched the rim of the glass, and he took a sip. “Very good. How did you get the wine bottle open?”

She laughed. “I talked one of the kitchen staff into helping me and made him promise not to say a word.” His laughter joined hers. She loved the sound. He seemed more open, more like the man she remembered.

They nibbled on the food, drank their wine, and enjoyed the solace of the area. Only the sound of the water rushing over the cliff and spilling into the crystal clear pond below interrupted the silence.

Ellie walked to the water. She bent and touched the coolness with her fingers. Giving into impulse, she began to shed her clothes.

“What are you doing?” Rafe asked.

“I’m going to swim. Want to join me?”

Standing in her chemise, she faced him. His eyes gazed directly at her, and she felt naked until she remembered he couldn’t see. Today, it was easy to forget. His eyes were so clear, and his face relaxed.

She shivered as she glided into the cold water. With strong strokes, she swam out to the center of the pond. When she was younger, she had often ridden to a hidden lake at home and swam. Her father had taught her initially, almost before she walked, but her sisters said the water was too cold and stayed at home. Over the last few years there’d been few chances to sneak away. Her mother had never approved. She’d have a case of the vapors if she saw Ellie now.

Ellie glanced toward Rafe, surprised to see him removing his boots, socks, coat, and shirt. He left on his buckskins, apparently for modesty. He plunged into the water and in three smooth strokes, he came up beside her. His hands reached out to find her.

* * * *

She has soft skin like cool velvet
.

Rafe slid his hands from her shoulders to her breasts. His cock hardened when he heard her quick intake of breath. His fingers brushed across her nipples as he moved his body against hers.

“You shouldn’t tempt a man with such a vision. Even a blind man has an active imagination.”

Ellie put her lips almost against his. Her breath whispered across his face. “Then let’s play pretend, and I’m whatever beautiful, tantalizing woman you’ve wanted and didn’t have.”

She rubbed her upper body against his and wrapped her legs around his middle. Ellie’s soft hands held his face as her light kisses sprinkled over his forehead, his cheeks, and across his lips. She licked along his jaw and nibbled his neck as his cock hardened even more.

“You’re playing with fire.” He growled a warning.

“I’m not playing. Show me what lovemaking entails.”

“You need a husband first,” he said.

“My parents have picked out suitors for me that are tiresome and stodgy. I want you to be my first lover.”

Her words kicked into his gut. A pain slashed across his chest picturing her with another man. He swallowed and forced his words out.

“I cannot. It just isn’t done,” he whispered.

Her lips opened over his, and she slipped her tongue inside to caress his mouth. Her breasts rubbed against his bare chest. Her wet chemise was no barrier at all between them.

“Damn you,” he growled. Using his memory and the sound of the falls, he took careful steps out of the water and onto the soft sand. He
.
carried her through the waterfall into the cave behind. Her body slid along his as her feet touched the ground. “Wait here,” he commanded. He turned and started around the edge of the falls. He moved along, feeling his way with his feet and hands.