She was angry at his decision, but she wouldn’t stay that way for long. He hadn’t deliberately set out to thwart her ambitions; he’d simply succumbed to his great obsession. She could forgive him for that because he loved his horses and hounds with as much abandon as he loved her. He couldn’t help it. Johnny never did anything in half measures. He wasn’t made that way, and she had long ago learned to accept and appreciate it.
“And wait until you see the new stallion munching hay in our stables…”
Lady Tressingham fought to keep from smiling at Johnny’s boyish excitement. But she felt no such compunction about Lord Griffin Abernathy. She narrowed her gaze at her husband. “In order to win our daughter’s hand in marriage, Lord Abernathy gifted you with a stallion?”
“Not just any stallion,” Tressingham told her. “But his prized breeding stallion. One of his father’s famous Thoroughbreds of pure Arab descent.” He glanced at Griffin. “And Lord Abernathy didn’t give him to me. He entrusted Apollo to me to care for and to manage while he’s away at war.”
“How fortunate for Lord Abernathy that you were willing to accept such a great responsibility.” She turned her glare on Griffin.
“Indeed, it was, ma’am,” Griffin responded to her challenge. “But entrusting Apollo into your husband’s capable hands is nothing compared to the trust Lord Tressingham has shown in entrusting the care of Lady Alyssa to me.”
“I trust”—Lady Tressingham emphasized the word—“that my daughter will have as much to gain as my husband.”
“I trust that she will find it so,” Griff replied.
“Well.” Lady Tressingham injected a note of cheer she didn’t feel into her voice. “It isn’t every day that a young woman is granted the right to wear a man’s family heirlooms—especially when they’re beyond price.” She narrowed her gaze at Griffin once more. “I trust that my daughter will be taking possession of the Abernathy diamonds?”
“Of course,” Griff answered. “The necklace, brooch, bracelet, and diadem will all belong to her—as soon as she becomes Lady Abernathy.”
“And the betrothal ring?” Lady Tressingham asked.
Griff looked Lady Tressingham in the eye. “I prefer to present Lady Alyssa with her betrothal ring in private.”
“That is out of the question, Lord Abernathy,” Lady Tressingham replied. “You should appreciate the fact that while my daughter is unmarried, she will remain uncompromised.”
“I do appreciate it, Lady Tressingham, but our society does grant engaged couples a few unchaperoned moments.” He stood firm. “This is one of them.”
Lord Tressingham intervened. “Come, Puss.” He took his wife by the arm. “Lord Abernathy has just purchased the right to spend time alone with our daughter.”
“But…” She gave a token protest.
Lord Tressingham smiled at his wife. “It will be all right, Puss,” he said, glancing at Griffin. “Lord Abernathy is a gentleman. He’ll not be compromising our gel with her parents in the next room.” He led Lady Tressingham to the door of the library that connected with the lesser salon where he paused. “You’ve a few minutes out of sight of the parents,” he said, winking at Griffin. “I suggest you put them to good use.”
“Johnny!” Lady Tressingham protested as he escorted her through the door.
“Now, Puss,” he soothed. “They’re young and engaged. So what if he steals a kiss or two? I did the same with you.”
Griff waited until Lord and Lady Tressingham left the room before turning to Alyssa.
“So,” she drawled. “You traded a prized breeding stallion for me…”
Griff bit back a grin. “I prefer to think of it as using the right incentive to get what I want.” He took her hand in his. “And I prefer to think that I got the best part of the bargain.” He leaned closer.
She met him halfway. “I’ll try to insure that you always feel that way, my lord.”
“Will you indeed?” he breathed.
“Indeed,” she promised, rising on tiptoe in order to give him full access to her lips. “I will.” She smiled up at him.
“Your parents are in the next room,” he warned. “Probably listening at the door,” she agreed.
“We do have permission,” he whispered.
“Then, stop wasting time,” she whispered back, “and kiss me.”
“My pleasure,” he breathed, seconds before he covered her lips with his.
Alyssa melted into his arms, returning his kiss with a passion that surprised both of them. She teased and tantalized and tasted him, engaging him an erotic duel, sweeping his mouth with her tongue, filling her taste buds with the essence of Griffin Abernathy.