The Taste of Love Read online

  “Show me, Thad. Please.”

  He scowled at Nathaniel but reluctantly nodded. “Meet me in the meadow at sunrise tomorrow morning. That’s when I give Thor his workout. I don’t want Pip watching or he’ll attempt to do the same before he’s ready. The lad will break his neck.”

  She nodded. “I’ll be there.”

  “Poppy and I will, too,” Nathaniel said, then cast Thad a wicked grin. “Unless we find something better to do.”

  “Ugh, Nathaniel!” Loopy rolled her eyes. “You’re my brother. Poppy is my best friend.” She cast him a look of indignation, and with a huff, turned to Thad. “I refuse to listen to my brother lust after my best friend.”

  “She’s his wife now. He loves her. Isn’t that how marriage is supposed to be?”

  She laughed and shook her head. “Don’t you dare be reasonable about this.”

  He couldn’t help his inane grin in response. “Och, was that a compliment? I never thought I’d live to see the day.”

  “It wasn’t a compliment, merely a statement of fact.” But she was smiling at him, and her smile was achingly sweet. “When you’re done showing me your tricks, we’re going to work on The Book of Love. You’re not going to distract me from my purpose.”

  She huffed again, a magnificent release of air that was regal and imperious, yet innocently charming in a way that only Loopy could pull off.

  “Sorry, Thad. I shouldn’t have set her off.” Nathaniel patted him on the shoulder as they both stood watching her march away. “That Book of Love business. It’s nonsense.”

  And yet, Nathaniel and Beast were now married.

  It wouldn’t be the same for him.

  How soon before his regimental ship arrived? He couldn’t wait to get out of here. The thought of Loopy in love with another man was ripping his heart apart.

  And he, like the big, dumb Scottish fool that he was, had agreed to help her.

  “Thad,” Nathaniel said with an unexpected wariness in his tone, “just remember, she’s my sister. No matter what ridiculous love demands she tosses at you…keep your hands off her.”

  “I’ll never do anything to harm her, ye ought to know that. It’s yer sister ye need to be talking to.”

  Nathaniel shook his head and laughed. “Tell Loopy something she doesn’t wish to hear? I’ll never hear the end of it. She’ll plague me into my dotage, and will still be railing at me as they lower me into my grave.”

  “She isn’t so bad. Aye, she can be a Harpy at times, but only when she passionately believes in something.” After all, she’d been right about Poppy being perfect for Nathaniel. Had she not cared and acted upon it, her brother might now be married to the wrong woman.

  Nathaniel frowned. “Am I hearing right? You’re defending her? She kicks you worse than she kicks any of us?”

  “Usually, I deserve it. She’s also kinder to me than anyone alive.”

  “My sister?” The notion appeared to genuinely surprise her brother. “She tortures you.”

  He shot Nathaniel a warning glower before turning to walk away. He needed to clear his mind of Loopy and this conversation wasn’t helping.

  “Blessed saints! Are you in love with Penelope?”

  Chapter Four

  Penelope slept on the window seat in her bedchamber, her curtains open so she did not miss the sunrise. Perhaps it was foolish, but she knew her time with Thad was short, and she refused to waste a precious moment of it.

  Yes, she was greedy to have more of this man, to share experiences and build memories to treasure once he walked out of her life, never to return again.

  She awoke with an ache in her heart, but refused to allow sadness to get the better of her. So, she smiled as the sun’s warming rays fell across her face. Tossing off her covers, she hastily washed and donned a simple morning gown. She put on her walking boots, laced them up, and quietly hurried out of the house.

  A moment later, she saw Thad walking his magnificent steed from the stable toward the meadow. “Good morning,” she said, a little breathless as she joined him, for the mere sight of him had set her heart fluttering.

  He looked as strong and magnificent as his beast.

  He was dressed casually, his shirt and breeches molded to his muscled torso. His boots had not been polished yet and were the worn leather of a man used to hard work.

  “Morning, Loopy.” He cast her an endearing grin and tugged lightly on her braid, for she hadn’t taken the time to do up her hair properly. In her rush, she’d simply brushed it back and fashioned it into a loose braid. “I wasn’t sure ye’d come to watch me.”

  “Wouldn’t miss it. I stopped in the kitchen and left word for Cook to prepare something special for you for breakfast.” She grinned when his expression turned wary. “Special in a good way. Eggs. Sausage. Kippers. Oat cakes, of course.”

  He nodded. “You’re doing it on purpose.”

  She eyed him innocently. “Doing what?”

  “Hitting me at my weak spot. The taste of love. Isn’t it one of the five senses mentioned in your book?” He held up at the edge of the meadow, firming his grip on the reins as Thor neighed with impatience and pawed the ground, eager to be set free to run. “Ye’re working on the scent of love, too.” He leaned forward and nuzzled her neck. “Ye smell delicious, just like a sausage patty.”

  She smacked him on the shoulder. “It’s lavender soap, you wretch! I don’t smell like a side of pork. And if I do, it’s only because I was in the kitchen trying to do something nice for you.”

  He laughed and tweaked her chin. “Still so easy to rile. Gad, how can ye be so fierce and yet so gullible?”

  “Don’t start on me, Thad. The sun’s hardly up, and you’re already irritating me.”

  He swung himself up on the saddle with an easy grace. “Step back, lass. Don’t want ye trampled by Thor. He’s friskier than usual today. No doubt, he knows we’re going to show off our skills. He’s even more arrogant than I am, if that’s possible.”

  She laughed in exasperation, for Thad had a way about him that was as loveable as it was annoying. She could never stay angry with him for long. “Be careful.”

  She moved back to the edge of the meadow, still in a position to have an unobstructed view of his performance. “Don’t run over any deer. They’ll be foraging among the hedgerows at this time of the morning.”

  “I’ll stay clear of them.” He nodded and gave Thor the slightest nudge. The horse took off with dazzling speed across the meadow. After racing from one end to the other, Thad turned his mount again and slowed him down just the littlest bit. “Watch this,” he called out to her.

  Suddenly, he slid off the saddle and then hopped back on, and then did it again. All the while, Thor never broke stride. But Thad didn’t stay seated in his saddle for long. In the next moment, he leaned low and came up with a handful of wildflowers.

  He slowed Thor to a trot and rode toward her. “For you, Loopy.” He handed her the small bouquet with an exaggerated showman’s bow.

  Before she could thank him, he was off again, horse and rider moving as one. Spinning. Leaping. Thad shifting forward, arching back, once even standing on his saddle and tossing her a casual wave as Thor loped past her.

  She would have broken her neck had she attempted any of those tricks. But she now understood why he’d survived Waterloo without a scratch. He was a constantly shifting target, able to slip on and off, bend low and disappear from sight, turn suddenly and charge.

  He was reckless and fearless.

  Her heart was in her throat the entire time he paraded and preened in front of her. He made it look so easy, but she knew the incredible strength required to perform such feats. That’s what he was, big and muscled and confident.

  He approached her again, but this time, Thor was moving at a breakneck gallop. To her relief, she merely felt a soft whoosh as horse and rider tore past her. The scent of horse and saddle leather mingled with the gust of air.

  After another turn around the m
eadow, Thad guided Thor at a lazy trot toward her. She meant to berate him for some of those reckless tricks, but all thought of doing so slipped from her mind as he dismounted in one smooth motion, picked her up, and twirled her in his arms. “What did ye think, lass?” He was like a little boy, hopeful and earnest and so proud of his accomplishments.

  But everything about him warned he was no tame, little boy. His body was magnificent, as though sculpted from stone. His arms were pillars of granite. His brow was beaded in sweat and his shirt which stretched from taut, broad shoulder to taut, broad shoulder, was damp from exertion.

  In truth, she couldn’t think at all. She wanted to toss her arms around his neck and kiss him with abandon. But what if he didn’t feel the same and was embarrassed by her kiss?

  Worse, what if he did feel the same? She wasn’t moving to the Highlands, and he wasn’t settling in England. Perhaps, if circumstances were different…but they simply were not meant to be. She tried to shove out of his arms. “Let go of me, you big oaf. Now I’m covered in your sweat.”

  He laughed and twirled her again. “Ye still smell as sweet as a sausage patty.”

  She wanted to scold him.

  And wanted to hold him.

  Mostly, she wanted to be someone important to him, not just a fertile female his low brain determined was a suitable vessel in which to spill his seed. She wanted to be the one woman he’d protect from the wolves who would eat her and her offspring if left on their own.

  But he would leave her and ride north any day now.

  “Come on, Loopy. Answer me. What did ye think?”

  She laughed softly. “You were wonderful, Thad. Wherever did you learn to ride like that?”

  He shrugged, but did not release her. She was surprised. However, she said nothing. How could she admit she liked the rough warmth of his hands on her waist? His hands were big and powerful like the rest of him, but he held her quite gently.

  She leaned her head against his shoulder, no longer attempting to resist. “Did someone teach you?”

  “My brother did, a little.” His arms remained around her like a warming blanket. “Mostly, I learned on my own. There wasn’t much else to do in Thurso other than herd sheep, which I hated doing,” he said, his voice a soothing murmur. “So, I rode out on my own whenever I could. No one missed me.”

  “Surely, someone did.”

  “No, Loopy. The men had no patience caring for a boy, and there were hardly any women around to attend to the chore. The few who hadn’t left for Edinburgh or distant shores were old and ornery like my cook, Fiona.”

  “Thurso, is that where you’ll settle?”

  “Aye, I’m laird there. But I won’t be returning immediately. If Castlereagh doesn’t ship me back to France, I’ll report to the Earl of Caithness. He has a rather fine castle just north of Inverness. Lots to do there. He’ll keep me busy.”

  She arched an eyebrow, expecting that his granduncle had more in mind for Thad than mere chores. He’d likely arrange a marriage for him. It wouldn’t take much doing since every woman in Caithness, whether young, old, sweet, or sour, would fall in love with this handsome Scot. Thad had already hinted at having a sweetheart.

  It eased her heart, in truth. She and Thad were not meant for each other, but she knew he would find someone lovely to marry once he was ready to settle down.

  She tipped her head up to meet his gaze.

  The look in his eyes was dark and hungry. The nearness of their bodies excited her. He dipped his head ever so slightly, the subtle gesture seeming to compel her lips closer to his. Yes, she simply had to kiss him before he left. As her maid said, the big Scot would know how to do it proper.

  “Loopy…” He spoke her name in a reverent whisper, half groan and half awe. His eyes were fixed on her and his gaze smoldering as he stared back at her. There was a slight downward tilt to the corners of his eyes that gave them a seductive quality, an I-want-to-bed-you look that no woman could resist.

  Did he wish to bed her?

  No, it was too ridiculous to contemplate.

  But he wanted to kiss her…she hoped he wanted to kiss her.

  Their breaths mingled.

  Her eyes fluttered closed.

  But the kiss never came. Thad suddenly drew away. In the next moment, she heard Pip’s excited voice. “Thad! Thad! Teach me those tricks!”

  “Oh, bollocks.” Thad groaned and ran a hand through his hair. “The boy must have been watching from his window.”

  Penelope loved her young cousin even when he was at his most evil. But right now, she wanted to throttle him. Couldn’t he have waited another five minutes before joining them? She turned to Pip with a frown. “No tricks, it’s too dangerous. Thad has been riding for decades. You’ve yet to have a single lesson. I want your promise that you won’t attempt anything foolish. You have to learn the basics first. And you have to build up your muscles. It takes great strength to leap on and off one’s mount while it’s moving. More than you possess right now.”

  She glanced at herself. “More than I will ever have.”

  But Thad…dear heaven. The sense of touch. Oh, she did enjoy touching that hard, warrior body of his.

  Suddenly alarmed by how easily Thad was able to overwhelm her senses, she muttered an excuse to return to the house ahead of him and Pip. Neither seemed to particularly mind, so she left the pair chatting about Thad’s horse and the simple tricks Thad would teach Pip and his new horse so long as Pip did nothing foolish.

  The boy was nodding and vehemently assuring Thad he’d be good as gold.

  Penelope knew better.

  Pip was still a little boy. Everyone knew little boys were curious, adventurous creatures. Pip’s mind was never idle. He was always thinking, usually of harmless things. But there was also a streak of mischief in him. Not wickedly intentioned mischief, just a need to push the boundaries and see how far he could overstep before being hauled back into place.

  Thad obviously had that same streak. Look at me while I jump on and off my horse at full gallop. What, I might break my neck?

  She went straight into the dining room to make certain the breakfast courses were set out on their salvers. To her surprise, her aunt was already seated at the table with Periwinkle, her adorable spaniel, on her lap. “Aunt Lavinia, I’m glad to see you’re looking better. I didn’t expect you up this early.”

  “Good morning, my dear.” She cast Penelope a cheerful smile. “I heard Pip stomping down the stairs and thought I’d come down as well. I saw a little of the show Thad put on for you.” She arched an eyebrow and cast her a wry smile. “He likes you.”

  Penelope snorted.

  “He wouldn’t be so keen on impressing you, otherwise.”

  She sank into the chair beside her aunt. “Do you think so?” The notion did not please her. First of all, she doubted he liked her above all other women. In truth, he probably liked her far less than other women because she constantly vexed him.

  Lavinia patted her hand. “He’s a fine young man.”

  “He’s a big, Scottish oaf. He constantly teases me.”

  Her aunt chuckled. “I find his manner charming. He’s like a big, wonderful pup, wanting to be noticed and not knowing how else to gain your attention.”

  Penelope rolled her eyes. “He could try simply talking to me.”

  “Oh, dear me. No, that isn’t Thad. He isn’t refined or glib. He isn’t one for witty banter. Nor is he the sort to toss casual compliments or flatter a woman unless he feels it to the depths of his soul.”

  “Nonsense, Aunt Lavinia.” Penelope rose to pour herself a cup of tea. It was a task usually done by one of the footmen, but she felt restless and needed to do something to end this conversation. “He isn’t sensitive, nor does he have a poetic soul. Oh, don’t frown at me. I’m going to use him as my test frog and that’s all. He’ll return to Caithness soon. Perhaps he’ll be ordered back to France to rejoin his regiment.”

  A little knot formed in the pit of her s
tomach. France was still a dangerous place. She didn’t want Thad to come to any harm. “Even if he does respond to a few of my tests, it will signify nothing. The effect will wear off. He’ll ride away and soon forget me. I shall remain right here, where I belong.”

  Thad and Pip tramped in before Lavinia had the chance to argue with her. Even Periwinkle was tossing her a doubtful look.

  She returned to her seat.

  Thad settled his large frame in the chair beside hers and tugged on her braid. “Ye look angry enough to eat Periwinkle. What’s the matter, lass?”

  He was the matter.

  “Och, now ye’re tossing me that Harpy look. What have I done?”

  Nothing, of course. He was just being himself, and she couldn’t stop responding to his nearness. Or stop thinking that perhaps Aunt Lavinia was right. No. Thad could not possibly be the man of her dreams. She certainly wasn’t his dream woman.

  She was his sausage patty.

  Apparently, showing off on horseback aroused a man’s appetite. Thad was working on his third helping of eggs when Nathaniel and Poppy joined them a short while later. Pip immediately brightened. “Are we going to see Monarch’s owner this morning?” he asked Nathaniel.

  “Indeed, we are.”

  Pip cheered.

  Periwinkle’s ears perked and his tail began to wag furiously.

  Lavinia laughed. “Even dear Periwinkle is excited for you, Pip.”

  “I’ll join you,” Poppy said, casting Nathaniel a doting look. “I have some errands to run in town. Olivia’s birthday is coming up next week, and Beast asked if we could plan a party for her. He’d like it to be a surprise.”

  Lavinia clapped her hands. “How lovely. Who will you invite?”

  “Our neighbors, of course. Lord and Lady Plimpton. The vicar,” she said, referring to the handsome Adam Carstairs. “Dr. Carmichael. Miss Billings. My sister, Violet, will be joining us this weekend, so she’ll be here for the party. Lord Lothbridge and his daughters. A few of the town officials.”