Dare to Love. Alleigh Burrows
far gone that he couldn’t guess the answer—telling all her friends about the romantic lunch she shared with the rakish, rogue, Lord Landis. No doubt embellished with tales of soft words of love and gentle caresses.
He didn’t answer, in part because he was valiantly trying to look anywhere but at the enticing bosom still straining toward him.
Fortunately, she did not notice and continued. “The best part will be riding up to my house and seeing the total disbelief on my family’s face when they see me on a horse.”
“What?” he gasped, choking down his food. “Why would that matter?”
“Well, I have never quite fit in with my family and their passion for horses. When my father sees me arriving astride a beautiful mare, like a queen on procession, he will likely burst with pride.”
“Surely, you don’t believe you can gain your father’s admiration through such a simple act.”
“Oh, it is no small thing. He loves me for who I am, but he has never understood me. He will crow about this for days.”
“Do not get your hopes up. A father’s affection is not so easily won…if there is any at all.”
Nivea brushed off his warning and continued weaving her fantasy. “Of course I have his affection. We are family. We are loved despite our differences.”
This time, Dare did not suppress the snort of contempt. He knew better than anyone the lack of constancy in any relationship, especially within a family. “Please do not bore me with such drivel.”
“Adair Landis, you have been a constant guest of our family for years. How can you even question it?”
“If his love depends on your ability to ride a horse, how can you even consider it?”
She paused a moment, her fingers twisting a stray lock of hair, before she replied, “I am sure you are aware, I am the only one in the family not immersed in equine pursuits. I have never shown any interest or inclination to the subject. I have no doubt, if I had trifled with our footman and foisted a house load of bastards upon him, my father would be more understanding than my lack of interest in horses.”
With that, Dare barked out a laugh. “I’m certain that is not the case.”
She smiled, but it did not reach her eyes. “Perhaps not, but I know my lack of interest has been a disappointment. William and Caroline are much more similar to him. They love to ride horses and play games, while I prefer to sit and observe. Still, while he understands them better, I know he loves me just as much.”
Dare could only shrug in response. She was obviously delusional regarding familial love. True, her family was more accommodating than most, but he’d always thought it was a bit of an act.
He had just raised the cider to his lips when she made the most absurd statement of all.
“Once you have children of your own, you will understand.”
Dare almost choked on his drink, “What!”
Her brows shot up in surprise. “I am certain there is no greater experience than having children. Watching them grow, helping them learn, supporting their interests. I hope someday I am fortunate enough to have a family.”
Remembering his own upbringing, he could not begin to fathom her logic. The thought of having a family be supportive or even desirable was ludicrous. Painful and humiliating, certainly, but supportive? Never.
Determined to set her straight, he wiped the cider from his lips. “Trust me. You are in the ideal position right now. No responsibilities, no worries, and at your age, few expectations.”
“I’m in an ideal position?”
He couldn’t understand why she looked so shocked. “Yes. Society will accept you whether you wed or not. I, of course, must get married and have children. As a peer with a title, it appears to be my sole duty in life. I can win or lose a fortune, commit virtually any crime without repercussions, and spout out as much nonsense as I deem necessary in the House of Lords. But dying without issue is the greatest sin.”
Satisfied he’d made his point, he withdrew his jeweled snuffbox from his pocket, took a pinch, and snapped it shut.
Nivea gave him a tight smile. “And yet you have done neither, married nor had children.
He tipped his head with an ironic twist of his lips. “Too true. Nor do I plan to for a good long time. I rarely do what is expected.”
“Why is that?” Nivea cocked her head.
The conversation had suddenly taken far too personal a turn. He had no intention of explaining himself to her, or anyone for that matter. Without a word, he drew to his feet, brushed the crumbs off his clothes, and strode toward the horses. This misadventure had gone on long enough.
Chapter 6
Nivea had mixed emotions as they arrived at the outskirts of Horsham property. Much as she loved returning home, she had not managed to win Dare over. Despite her best efforts, he was still treating her like a bother. As they plodded through the woods leading up to Vincent Hall, they hadn’t exchanged more than ten words since their picnic.
But when they finally turned up the road to her house, she couldn’t suppress the joy that bubbled up inside her. Vincent Hall was a large, comfortable house, nestled in a side of a hill. The stone structure glowed orange in the afternoon sun, and the windows glinted yellow, like eyes of a contented cat. Beyond the house, she could see the lake, and past it, the forest where they had roamed as children. She sighed with pleasure, reminded yet again how much she preferred her home to the bustle of London.
As they approached the entrance to the house, the Earl of Cheltenham came flying out the door. As usual, his jacket was rumpled, his face flushed, and his brown hair curling willy-nilly around his collar.
He grabbed at her horse’s bridle. “What is this?” he exclaimed, his grin stretching from ear to ear.
“What do you mean, Popa? We are here for Caroline’s wedding. Surely, you were expecting us,” Nivea answered, keeping her voice as nonchalant as possible.
“Yes, but in a carriage, for goodness sake. Whatever possessed you to arrive on horseback?”
She couldn’t help smiling as he stared at her in wonder. “Ah, yes. Well, our carriage broke. In order to arrive on time, we had to ride.”
Without hesitation, the earl tugged her from the horse and gave her a solid hug. He was as surprised as she’d hoped and it brightened her mood. Then he turned his attention to her mount. Giving it a quick appraisal, he patted its neck fondly. “Nice piece of horseflesh. I will have to learn of its bloodline. I’d wager it’s got a bit of Daltrey’s Devilment in it,” he murmured to no one in particular.
Well used to her father’s obsession, Nivea took no notice. Her attention was diverted by Dare as he leapt from his horse and handed it off to a groom. Despite his aloof behavior, her heart still raced seeing him stride over, all long legs and strong shoulders.
He gave her father a curt bow. “Lord Horsham, I confess we had a bit of a mishap, but I deliver you your daughter, unscathed.”
The earl turned toward her escort, his face a mixture of bafflement and joy. “Lord Landis, sir, I must say I have never been more surprised in all my life.” He clapped Dare on the shoulder and might have pulled him into a hug if Dare hadn’t stepped out of his reach. Too delighted by the afternoon’s turn of events, her father took no notice. “I don’t know how you did it, but I have to thank you for accomplishing a miracle. Bringing my Nivvy along on horseback…this is like unexpected gold in my pocket.”
“Really, Popa! You’re embarrassing me.”
Unfazed, the earl pulled her close and bestowed a loud kiss on her forehead, before turning again toward Dare. “You have given my daughter her birthright. I could not be happier.”
He