The Taste of Love Page 4

  The boy quieted and regarded him steadily. “Are you tricking me?”

  “No. I’d never lie to ye.” He set the lad down but kept a hand firmly on his shoulder to keep him from taking flight again. “Addie, it’s all right. I’ll take him into town to see the horses. Pip, I’ll let Nathaniel know if I see any good prospects.” He cast Pip a warning glance. “But only if ye behave. If ye run off, the bargain’s off. And ye must abide by Nathaniel’s opinion when he returns.”

  Pip nodded and grabbed his hand. “Let’s go. Let’s go! The best horses will be gone if we’re late.”

  Thad laughed, but allowed himself to be drawn along.

  Loopy joined them. “I’ll go with you.”

  Addie waved them off with a gentle caution. “Ye behave yerself, young Master Pip, or ye’ll be answering to me.”

  Thad was relieved for the distraction, although having Loopy by his side, laughing and chatting with Pip as they walked into Wellesford, did not give him all that much relief. Her auburn curls were fashionably styled atop her head, but the locks were thick and satiny, and he ached to unpin the lush strands and watch them cascade down her back in splendid waves.

  He wanted to run his fingers through her hair.

  He wanted to do unmentionable things to her.

  He supposed this was his low brain working extra duty, for he could not stop looking at her as a wolf might look upon a juicy rabbit. He liked the sway of her hips, the graceful tip of her head as she smiled up at him. The fullness of her breasts, of course.

  Stop looking at her that way, idiot.

  She took his arm as they approached the town square where the horse pens were set up. Mostly men were milling about, for this was not considered a suitable venue for females. However, no one was going to chase away the sister of the Earl of Welles.

  Loopy’s excitement was palpable, and so was Pip’s.

  The boy squealed with delight when Thad lifted him onto his shoulders. “I’m a giant! I can touch the sky!”

  Loopy’s laughter was as sweet as morning dew. “Oh, Pip. Stop bouncing up and down on Thad’s shoulders. He isn’t your horse.”

  They watched while a few yearlings were auctioned off, then melted away from the crowd and proceeded to walk among the livestock awaiting their turn at auction. Thad was riding before he could walk, so he knew more about good bloodstock than any man in attendance, including any acknowledged experts.

  He’d spent the war years in the Royal Scots Greys, to his way of thinking, the finest dragoon regiment in the king’s army. A good dragoon was one with his horse, for his life depended on the beast while in the heat of battle. “This one looks interesting,” he said, running his hand along the withers of a handsome gray. Let me speak to the owner.”

  Pip cheered.

  Thad cast him a warning look. “No promises, Pip. This horse may go up for auction today. But since the horse fair runs for another few days, I’ll see if the owner will hold off selling him until tomorrow. Nathaniel and Beast will be back this evening, right?”

  Loopy nodded and began to run her hand up and down the horse’s nose. “He is a nice-looking colt. Sweet disposition, too.”

  Thad could see Pip was struggling to contain his excitement. “He’s the best,” the boy said with a squeal. “I’m going to name him Monarch.”

  “If Nathaniel approves.” Thad patted the lad’s shoulder. “Go have a lemonade with Loopy while I talk to the owner.” He turned to her. “I’ll meet you at the Golden Hart once I’m finished.”

  She nodded and went off with the lad who wasn’t walking so much as bounding and leaping for joy.

  He watched them leave, unable to take his gaze off her until she disappeared from view. Wellesford, the Cotswolds, or a glittering London ballroom is where she was meant to be. He had to keep reminding himself of this, for these little moments had him thinking they might have a chance at love.

  He shook out of the thought.

  She’d never leave her life behind just for him.

  And what could he offer her?

  After speaking to the owner and getting him to agree to wait until tomorrow to put the gray colt up for auction, he went to the Golden Hart to look for the pair. Convincing the owner to hold off wasn’t hard to do. The possibility that the Earl of Welles would acquire one of his bloodstock had the man salivating.

  Thad found Loopy and Pip seated at one of the wooden tables outside of the Golden Hart enjoying their lemonades. Poppy and Goose had joined them.

  Pip leaped up when he saw Thad striding toward them. He picked the boy up and twirled him around. “Can’t promise anything, Pip. But he’ll hold off selling the colt until tomorrow.”

  “Monarch! Monarch! Thank you, Thad.” The lad gave him a heartfelt hug.

  Loopy’s eyes were bright and dancing with merriment as she thanked him as well. No hugs, but he preferred it that way. He’d make a fool of himself if she ever fell into his arms.

  He’d never have the strength to let her go.

  He chided himself again. He had to stop thinking about her and the possibility they’d build a life together. No, he would never be anything but her reluctant test frog. Perhaps he’d get a kiss out of it in the course of her experiments.

  That’s all he desired.

  One kiss would satisfy him.

  It would have to satisfy him.

  But he knew it wouldn’t. No amount of convincing would ever make him believe it. Just one? He wanted to kiss this girl a thousand times and more.

  When the ladies finished their lemonade, Poppy and Goose climbed into Goose’s waiting carriage. To Thad’s surprise, Loopy chose to walk back with him and Pip, even though the wind had picked up. It was a cooler, quite damp wind that threatened rain by this evening. She sidled up to him while Pip ran a little ahead of them down the road. “You were brilliant today, Thad. Thank you for what you did for Pip.”

  “Nathaniel would have done the same had he been here.”

  She smiled at him, and despite the gathering clouds, the sun seemed to shine a little brighter. Everything suddenly seemed brighter, no matter that the sun was now lost behind a gray cloud, and even if it hadn’t been, they were strolling down the roadway in the shade of the trees.

  She smiled at him again.

  The world lit up for him once more. The grass seemed a little greener. The wildflowers dotting the surrounding meadows bloomed with uncommon splendor. The stone of the walls lining the roadway shone a deeper, richer Cotswolds gold.

  But the most beautiful colors were the auburn of Loopy’s hair, the soft apricot of her gown, and the glittering emerald of her eyes.

  “Thad, how long will you be with us?”

  He arched an eyebrow. “Looking to be rid of me already?”

  She chuckled, knowing he was merely teasing her. “No, not this time. You are Pip’s hero. You’re even a bit heroic to me. But don’t get too full of yourself. I’m sure you’ll do something to irritate me before the day is through.”

  She tucked her arm in his. “I was thinking of tomorrow evening’s supper. What do you think of mutton and Yorkshire pudding?”

  “Loopy, lass, ye know how to entice yer test frog. Ye know it’s my favorite.”

  She shook her head and laughed. “I have you all figured out. The way to your heart is through your stomach. You are ridiculously easy to please. You eat anything and everything. Is there a food that isn’t your favorite?”

  “Certainly. Ye know I dislike eels.”

  “Anything else?”

  He shook his head. “That’s about it.”

  Pip broke into a run once the manor house came into view. Since Addie was waiting on the garden steps for him, Thad did not feel the need to chase after the lad.

  Neither did Loopy.

  “So, how long will you be with us this time?” she asked again.

  He shrugged. “I don’t know. It depends on when I get word of my regiment’s arrival in Plymouth. I’ll ride back there by the end of the week if
I receive no news. I can be of some use organizing the settlement of the arriving troops, even if they aren’t my men.”

  “Is there anything we can do to help?”

  “Nathaniel has already offered. We’ll rely on your hospitality once my regiment arrives and we start the march north to Caithness. I’d like them to camp here for a few days while I ride to London and meet with Lord Castlereagh. He’s been running all over the Continent, but he’s due back in town by next week.”

  Penelope held him back a moment. “Why must you meet with him?”

  “I’m the surviving commanding officer, and yet he’s kept me here instead of on the Continent with my men. Now, I’ve heard rumors he plans to keep the Royal Scots Greys in France, those who are healthy enough to serve. So why am I here and not over there with them? I don’t like it. Not one bit.”

  “Perhaps he has something more important planned for you.”

  “Then why keep me sitting around, doing nothing all this time?” He gave a sigh of disgust. “After Major-General Ponsonby died in battle, I led our regiment in battle. Now that the war is won, no one has been appointed to replace me. It churns my gut to be apart from them. I need to understand what is going on. I want answers, and not from some officious clerk who wouldn’t know the right side of a bayonet if it poked him in the arse. No, I’m going straight to Castlereagh, and if I canno’ find him, then I’ll seek out Wellington.”

  “Is there not a field general or someone else of rank you can turn to instead? Beast, for example.”

  “I may have to rely on him if I’m not granted an audience with either of them. But I doubt they’ll deny me. The Royal Scots Greys are like no other fighting unit. We’re the king’s finest dragoons.” He smiled wryly. “I suppose every regiment makes that claim. In truth, we saw little direct action until Waterloo. We were used primarily as support for the infantry, covering their retreat, securing the land they’d gained. Clearing the enemy nests that remained. Protecting the injured as they were carried back to the hospital ships.”

  “How was Waterloo different?”

  “We were no longer held in reserve, but placed in the thick of battle. My regiment led the cavalry charges. Our objective was to push back the French until they were forced into a disorganized retreat. Ponsonby fell rather early in the battle, so it was left to me to lead the men.”

  Loopy’s eyes were wide as she listened with bated breath while he recounted the details.

  He was merely reporting the facts of this final battle, but she looked at him as though he was her hero. He couldn’t bear it, so he turned away and continued to walk toward the house. She walked beside him, still holding onto his arm so that he had to slow his pace.

  “Thad, we defeated Napoleon. Why does it matter so much to you that you were brought back here? You look so angry?”

  “France is still a dangerous place. There’s much left to do to restore it to a real and lasting peace. I agree with Castlereagh’s desire to keep his light cavalry units on the Continent, at least for now. I hope that’s what he’ll do. If this turns out to be his plan, I want to be the one leading my men. I can’t sit around, twiddling my thumbs while there’s important work to be done. If pushed to it, I’ll resign the damn commission and go to France on my own.”

  She cast him a soft smile. “You’re a stubborn, prideful Scot. I’m sure it will all work out and you’ll stay a dragoon until the last man is brought home.”

  He shrugged.

  Her expression turned thoughtful. “There must be a reason why you were made to return. I know it wasn’t a lack in your fighting skills or leadership. Did you anger someone important?”

  He shook his head and gave a mirthless laugh. “Not this time. I behaved myself. The lives of my men were at risk. I’d never do anything to harm them, much as I would have liked to strangle more than a few of those idiot generals. No, lass.”

  He shrugged again. “The only thing that makes sense to me… I suspect the Earl of Caithness made the request.”

  Her brow furrowed in obvious confusion. “Why would he? You’re not his heir.”

  “Indeed, I’m not. Two cousins and a brother in line before me. However, I think Caithness trusts my judgment more than he does the others.” He arched an eyebrow and grinned. “What? Nothing to say, Loopy? Are ye too stunned to speak?”

  She laughed. “I always suspected you were smarter than you appear. My brother wouldn’t be best friends with an idiot.” After a moment, her smile faded. “I’m proud of you, Thad. I’m so proud of the three of you, and relieved you all returned home safely.”

  He tucked a finger under her chin to draw her gaze to his. “I don’t know how safe I am while you’re in possession of that book about love. But I suppose if I survived Napoleon, I’ll survive you.”

  “Don’t make a jest of it,” she said and turned away to walk toward the garden instead of the house.

  “Bollocks, lass. What has you overset now?” He raked a hand through his hair, wishing he were more adept with women.

  He couldn’t seem to do anything right around her, for she often confounded him. In his own defense, he had never known a mother’s love nor ever had to deal with sisters. Other than Penelope, Olivia, and Poppy, he’d never been around any gentlewomen. His experience had mostly been with harlots, and he wasn’t all that experienced, for being with just any woman had never appealed to him.

  No, he’d always been the one-woman sort.

  Now that he was back, he knew who that one woman would be for him. But he was so wrong for her. He was no silver-tongued rake. No glib flattery or witty words flowed from his lips. He couldn’t be in Loopy’s presence for more than a few minutes without upsetting her.

  He followed her into the garden and sank down beside her on the stone bench in the center of the circle of rose beds. “It isn’t anything you said.” She spoke in a soft, ragged voice and refused to look at him. “It’s merely my own frustration. You’ve done so much with your life, and what have I done besides living a life of ease?”

  “Loopy, ye’ve kept the Sherbourne household running in Nathaniel’s absence. Ye’ve made a welcoming home for all who visit. Ye care for the wellbeing of the citizens of Wellesford and all those who work for your family. Ye’ll do the same for the man ye marry, no matter how large his estate or elevated in rank he is, ye’ll handle it all with an easy grace.”

  “So I’m to be a well-dowered housekeeper?”

  Thad groaned. “Och, lass. Why do ye always twist my words? If a man wanted a housekeeper instead of a wife, he’d get himself a housekeeper. A wife is a partner, someone in whom he can confide his innermost thoughts and concerns. And before ye toss back another smart remark, a wife is also more than a convenient bedmate. If a man cared only for sex, he’d know where to buy it.”

  Blessed saints! He’d been a little too blunt in his speech. He wouldn’t blame her if she slapped him. To his surprise, she leaned her head against his shoulder. He wasn’t certain what to do, so he put his arm around her. “What if I don’t marry? What am I then, Thad?”

  “Anything ye want to be.” He wanted to tell her that she was the only one holding herself back, but that wasn’t true. He understood the restrictions placed on an upper-class spinster. It wasn’t merely the men who would ignore her. The women would be even more dismissive, for this is the way Society had set their minds. Unmarried, she would be thought of as a poor relation residing in someone’s home. Married, she would be a leader in Society.

  Same person. Different status.

  Poppy and Olivia would never treat her that way, of course. They were true and loyal friends. But the rest of Society? No, Penelope had to marry.

  He sighed, for this discussion of status had him thinking once more of all he lacked. He was a captain in the Royal Scots Greys, but for how long? Would he be sent to France or back to Caithness to serve his granduncle, Earl Caithness.

  The earl had given him leadership over one of their small Highland clans. In truth, it
was a kind gesture, allowing him the title of Laird Caithness. But it did not alter the fact that Penelope Sherbourne was far above his station.

  “Thad, would you ever consider…”

  “What, lass?”

  She shifted in his arms to face him, her expression one of distress. His heart was ready to rupture with ache for this girl who felt so warm and soft in his arms. Why couldn’t it be? What would he lose in asking her? Never mind that he was unsettled. Never mind that he had so little to offer her.

  Before she had the chance to finish her question, Thad heard someone approaching. He eased Loopy out of his arms and rose to face whoever was coming toward them.

  She rose as well to stand beside him. “Nathaniel,” she said with a happy gasp, “how was Coventry?”

  “Business went smoothly.” He kissed his sister on the cheek and then eyed Thad with curiosity. “I see you’ve been busy in my absence.”

  Did he mean with his sister? As in attempting to seduce her? Which was always on his mind but nothing he’d ever act upon. “I–”

  “I hadn’t taken two steps into the house before Pip accosted me. He’s so happy and wouldn’t stop chattering with excitement. Thank you for picking out a horse for him. A gray, just like the horses in your regiment. That was well done of you. I’ll speak to the owner first thing tomorrow and purchase it for the little devil.”

  Thad shook his head and laughed. “Ye’ll have your hands full with that lad. I’ll give him some riding lessons while I’m here. Teach him some simple things.”

  Nathaniel arched an eyebrow. “What do you consider simple? I don’t want him falling off his horse on his first day out.”

  “No jumps. No galloping. Just a trot around the meadow.” He held his hands up in mock surrender. “I promise.”

  Nathaniel still eyed him warily. “All right, but don’t move him along too fast. None of your cavalry tricks.”

  Loopy tipped her head in curiosity. “What are cavalry tricks?”

  “Has Thad never told you?” Nathaniel appeared surprised. “He’s one of the finest horsemen in Scotland. And England, in all likelihood.”

  Her eyes brightened, and she cast him that soft, melting look that made him feel like a hero again…which he was not. He knew a few tricks on horseback. That was all.