Chapter Twenty-Nine #2
Catching Simon’s frowning scowl and remembering his place, the groom hastily dropped his gaze.
Keeping his eyes downcast in a more respectful manner, he handed Penelope the reins.
Stepping back, he held the horse steady as she gracefully swung up onto the sidesaddle.
Once she had arranged her skirts to her liking, she gathered up the reins and the short whip used to direct the horse.
Nudging the mare away from the block, she flashed a smile of thanks for the besotted groom.
Simon mounted the gelding in one smooth motion, moving the beast closer to Penelope’s mare. “Are you ready?” When Penelope nodded, Simon grinned at the uncertainty on her face. “You will be fine. Remember, I’m right here if something goes awry.”
She exhaled a sigh. “I’m glad for that. I’d actually forgotten how high up one is when seated on horseback.” She glanced at the ground and gave Simon a shaky smile. “It is a long way down, isn’t it?”
Simon laughed, turning the gelding around so they could exit the courtyard, directing his next words at the stablemaster. “We shall return late this afternoon, Darby.”
“Very good, milord. Good day to you, milady,” Darby responded. “And if a bit of advice is welcomed, go easy on the bit, Lady Camden. She’s got a soft mouth and will go wherever you like with a gentle hand.”
“I shall heed your expert advice, Mr. Darby.” Penelope maneuvered the mare until she and Simon’s gelding were shoulder to shoulder.
She sat straight in the saddle, her back and shoulders properly aligned, the whip light in her grip as she adjusted the reins so they hung with just the proper amount of tension.
A wave of admiration swept over Simon. He recognized her apprehension, but the innate bravery she possessed shone brighter than sunshine as the horses began an easy pace out of the courtyard.
How fortunate I am to have such a wife.
For a few moments, the only sounds were the rhythmic clip-clop of the horses’ hooves on the dirt lane and the chirping of a flock of swallows swooping across the open fields.
“When was the last time you visited Willow Hill, Simon?” Penelope asked as she reached out with a gloved hand to stroke Artemis’s neck. “Have you been away for very long?”
“It’s been at least two years since I was last here,” Simon replied. “I deemed it to be too far from Town, hence the reason I stayed away.”
“I think it is lovely,” Penelope breathed, gazing out over the meadows that stretched as far as the eye could see.
The emerald-green expanses were rimmed by dense hardwood forests, and stacked stone walls were in place to contain any livestock.
“If I could choose to do so, I would live here rather than in Town.”
“What? And give up your new library at Camden House?” Simon teased. “Mr. Phillips has not even submitted the new design plans yet.”
Penelope blushed. “You are right, of course, Simon. How inconsiderate of me to discount the effort going into the project. I’m being foolish…”
“Stop with that, mouse. It’s utter nonsense,” Simon interjected.
“You are not foolish at all, and you may be surprised to learn that I also find myself weary of Town life.” He hesitated, then continued in a more serious tone.
“There have been some incidents that make me think it would be safer for both of us to be away from London for a while.”
Penelope’s hands noticeably tightened on the leather reins, causing Artemis to nervously shuffle sidewise. Realizing the error, she loosened her grip, allowing the mare to settle once more. “What do you mean, Simon? Are we in danger?”
Simon shrugged, giving his wife what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “Of course not, mouse.”
“Then what could lead you to abandon everything you enjoy about London?” Penelope questioned with a tilt of her head. “I don’t understand.”
She seemed so genuinely confused that Simon wondered if it was wise to share his concerns aloud.
He had no wish to overly concern her, and there was that tiny portion of his brain that wondered if she was the reason behind the strange events.
“There is nothing for you to worry about.” He glanced up at the sky, intent on changing the subject before it veered into a discussion he wanted to avoid.
“It is warm enough to go swimming in the stream, if you wish.”
Penelope’s gasp was scandalized. “Swim, my lord?”
“Yes.” He grinned at her. “Have you ever gone swimming before? I think you’ll like it.”
The look she gave him was full of doubt, her mouth pursing in the most adorable manner. “What if someone came across us frolicking about in such an undignified manner?”
Simon laughed out loud at that. “No one will dare. We shall be alone, Penelope.” He slanted her a glance, then said, “And you must surely know I have plans for you.”
Her teeth tugged at her bottom lip. “Plans?”
Maneuvering his gelding closer to the mare, he intentionally lowered his tone. “I’ve packed several items that will be used on you this afternoon. Rope. A cravat for gagging you.” His gaze dropped to the riding crop she gripped in her gloved fingers. “Even the crop you now carry will be utilized.”
Her cheeks pinkened. “You would actually dare to…to whip me, my lord?”
“Strike, yes. Whip, no. The two are not the same, sweet wife. I hope to demonstrate the difference where no one will hear your cries of pleasure.”
“You believe such an act will be enjoyable for me?” Her eyebrows arched high. “That seems highly improbable.”
“Would you have thought a spanking to be pleasurable before I showed you otherwise?” Simon countered, desire spiking to incredible heights as he thought of his beautiful wife bound and gagged while he made use of her body in the quiet stillness of the woods.
She would dance on tiptoes to avoid the sting of the riding crop on her bare bottom.
Her skin would turn that delectable shade of pink he loved so much.
Her cries and moans for mercy, for more of the exquisite torture only he could give her, would be muffled by his own silk cravat clamped between her teeth.
And after marking her flesh with the brand of his possession, he would make love to her until she screamed his name to the heavens above them.
What a strange choice of words to describe what I plan on doing to her. Make love? No, that’s not what I do. I dominate. Claim. Possess. Take. I have never made love to a woman. Never thought I would ever consider it. But I want to with Penelope. God, how I want to…
Penelope mulled his words over, her hands clutching the crop even tighter, as though she thought he might take it from her in that very moment and begin his domination. “If I became frightened…if I wanted you to stop because it was painful…would you listen to me?”
“Of course, Penelope,” Simon said, drawing up his mount as she did the same.
The horses danced around each other, Merlin nickering softly to the gentle mare and arching his neck as if to prove he meant no harm.
Penelope easily controlled the mare, her eyes wide as she waited for Simon to say more.
“If you want it to end, you only need to say so.”
“Perhaps I will not wish to stop,” she retorted in a shy, brave voice. “Perhaps I will expect more. More from you, Simon.”
“Perhaps you will.” Leaning over from Merlin’s back, Simon claimed Penelope’s mouth in a quick, heated kiss. “And if you do, I will try my damnedest to give it to you.”