Chapter Five
Hyde Park
Exhilaration moved through Nathaniel’s body as he guided his horse over the bridle paths in Hyde Park.
Though morning rides weren’t as free or uninhibited in London like they were in the country, still, nothing compared to being in the saddle of a favorite mount and breathing in the crisp, spring morning air.
Though he would be here again later in the day with Diana, he couldn’t pass on the opportunity to take in the exercise. He enjoyed it, and since the events of yesterday afternoon, he had pent up energy as well as desire circling through his veins.
Damn, but bringing Diana to release, just beginning to explore her body to discover how she liked to be touched and caressed, tasting her delicate flesh…
A shiver of need rippled down his spine.
That had been unexpectedly arousing and satisfying.
Even more so because she hadn’t been properly pleasured or even looked after while she’d been married.
Knowing Atterbury had been an idiot of the first order made Nathaniel unaccountably annoyed.
He’d been married to that delightful woman for twenty-two years, and in that time, he’d preferred bedding his mistress?
It was unfathomable. The viscountess was an empty vessel, hungry to be filled with carnal experience.
How could her husband overlook such a boon?
Shoving the thoughts away, he concentrated on the feel of the leather reins in his hands, the bunch and release of the horse’s muscles against his legs, the scent of the earth and growing things on the morning air. He needed a distraction, and quickly, else Diana would consume his mind.
Yet… had she truly agreed to an affair? He needed more information and clarity.
Then he gave himself over to the joy gained from riding through the park until he was interrupted by the sound of his name being hailed.
“Holdcraft!”
Nathaniel tugged on the reins to slow his mount as William came riding abreast of him on his own horse. “I didn’t expect you’d be out so early,” he said by way of greeting.
His best friend grunted. “Ten o’clock is hardly early.”
“Yet you don’t usually rise before noon after society events.
Did you not attend a ball last night?” He’d been invited but chose not to go, for after being with Diana that afternoon, he didn’t have an appetite for what was lurking in society.
What was more, now that he’d spent time with Diana, he could more see the similarities between siblings in William.
“I did, but I didn’t see you there.”
“Because I chose not to attend.” When his mount danced with impatience, he tightened his hold on the reins.
“Ah.” William frowned. He lifted a hand to adjust how his top hat sat on his light-brown hair. “I wondered where you’ve been for the past couple of days. It’s been odd prowling about social events without you by my side.”
Bloody hell.
Nathaniel shrugged. “I have been uncommonly busy.”
With a grunt, William peered into his face. “By the by, you seem different.”
Knots pulled in his gut. “How so? I can assure you, I’m quite the same man I’ve always been.”
“In small ways, I suppose. Perhaps how you hold yourself?” William flicked his gaze over Nathaniel’s face. “I’ll wager you have a new woman in your life. Have you taken a mistress?”
Shit, shit, shit.
“Not exactly.” What to tell him? It could never be the truth. “Or at least not yet.” How would he feel if he knew that Nathaniel might ask his sister to fill that role? Except he suspected that Diana was far too good for that.
William frowned. “Then what happened to keep you from attending various society functions? Hell, you’ve been absent from the club for the past few evenings, and that’s not like you at all.”
Since when had his movements been studied so closely by his best friend.
But then, they were very much like brothers.
Striving for calm, he said, “There was a bit of slap and tickle with a woman yesterday. I truly believe she wanted to see what my skill level was.” That was at least true.
“I hope my performance was good enough.”
“Oh ho!” The other man hooted with laughter. “Then you do want a mistress but feel she’s too good for you.” Another laugh escaped. “She either must be highly talented in carnal affairs or higher up in society than you. I’ve never known you to have your confidence shaken.”
“I’m not certain it’s been shaken. Perhaps my ego has been smacked, though.” He ignored the heat creeping up the back of his neck. “It will prove interesting to see what happens in the coming days.” And God help him, William would never know.
“Well, I wish you luck. Far too many women who aspire to be mistresses only want the gifts and free things bestowed upon them by their protectors.” The soon-to-be earl shook his head. “It leaves a bad taste in one’s mouth.”
“True, but I’m quite certain that is not the case here.” At least he hoped.
William nodded. “Then you’ve postponed the need to marry for your title?”
“For the time being. I’d like to enjoy this new lady for a few months.” Quite frankly, looked forward to bedding the enticing widow. After that, he would have a more detailed path.
“I understand that all too well, and in many ways, I envy you.” A sigh escaped William. “I’ve no time to devote to a mistress just now.”
Immediately, Nathaniel sobered. “To that end, how is your father?”
Sadness shadowed his friend’s eyes. “He is declining. No doubt his passing won’t be far off.” For a few moments, he remained silent before speaking again. “Regardless, I have dinner with my sisters and mother tonight so we can discuss final arrangements.”
Which meant his own meeting with Diana couldn’t expand since she already had plans. But he nodded. “I’m sorry, William. If you need me for moral support or anything else, I’ll be around.”
“I appreciate that, and will probably need you more sooner than later.”
*
Hyde Park later that afternoon
Damn, there was something… comforting about strolling through the park with Diana by his side. Every little bloom and unfurling leaf on the trees and bushes was far too clear. Had his vision always been like that or had he never paid attention?
“I adore Hyde Park year-round, but I think the spring is my favorite,” she said as she flashed him a smile.
Though the bonnet trimmed with satin ribbon in varying shades of pink as well as sprigs of pink silk rosebuds did nothing for the aesthetic of her walking dress and spencer of ivory and pink, the shallow brim did frame her face, and with curls peeking over her forehead, she made quite the charming picture.
“Is it because everything is new and gentle and the winter is finally over?”
“Mmm, perhaps, but it’s also because this part of the earth is experiencing a great awakening, as if it remembered there was still life to be had after being dormant for so long.” She waved a hand. “I feel a certain synchrony in that, for it is much like I am.”
Did she mean carnally? Interesting, even if she didn’t. Since he didn’t know, Nathaniel nodded. “Understandable.” He caught her hand and threaded it through his crooked elbow. “Did you find the book you spoke of before?”
“I did not. Unfortunately, I don’t believe any such thing exists, but I’ll keep searching. There are other lending libraries I can either visit or write to.”
He frowned. “Which book in particular are you searching for? Perhaps I can help.”
A giggle left her throat. He didn’t know why, but he wished to hear that melodious sound again. “I suspect you already know, since it’s a compendium of Keats’s work.”
Shock moved through his chest. “How did you know I wanted such a thing?”
“My cousin Tabetha has many connections throughout Town. One of them told her of the request, and she passed it along to me since I’m a patron of some of the lending libraries in the area.”
“How lovely. I hadn’t considered that before, but if you’d like, I can help with the search.” Suddenly, that appealed to him very much. “I admire Keats’s work, but then, any poetry will have my heart. I find it fascinating.”
“You should truly try to write it yourself.”
Nathaniel shook his head. “Perhaps sometime.” Though he suspected if he spent much more time in her company, he just might.
“From the hints you’ve already given me, I trust your marriage was loveless?
” He cleared his throat. “I mean, not to change the subject, but it’s bothered me since you introduced it. ”
“I can imagine.” When she shrugged, her shoulder brushed his. Awareness shivered over him. “And it was. I didn’t want my union to be that, but I think it was doomed from the start.”
“How so?”
“Well, the first few years, I thought we might have had at least the basic of love or even affection, but he was only pretending until I fell pregnant the first time.” When she glanced up into his face and met his gaze, shadows reflected in her sapphire eyes.
“More often than not, Atterbury wasn’t even at the London townhouse with me or the hall in Surrey.
He preferred being with his mistress. Eventually, I preferred that scenario to his actually being underfoot or us being together. ”
The explanation was said with an air of being rehearsed or spoken far too many times.
“That’s quite sad.” He patted her hand that rested on his arm. “I’m not exactly aligned with the idea of marriage myself, but if I did wed, my attention would be fully on my wife.” Especially if said woman was as enchanting as the one walking with him now.
“So you say, but reality is much different.” For the space of a few heartbeats, she remained quiet. “Do you have a mistress currently?”
“I do not.” It was an easy enough question to answer.
“No wonder you go from bed to bed like a sexually depraved honeybee.”