At Least Once More Read Online Free PDF

most avid of riders, which is why she and Minerva normally rode at this time. If only her challenger were the duke, but in all likelihood it was Lady Markham, who was herself an avid rider.
    The muzzle of a large mount, probably a gelding, eased into her peripheral view. She threw her weight farther forward, but the other horse had the advantage of muscle and longer legs. It slowly eased ahead. She tossed a glance at the owner.
    Lord Markham.
    Her heart stilled a moment before resuming its frantic pace. Was Lady Markham walking her mount at a more ladylike pace?
    Most likely not. No horsewoman worth her salt would pass up an opportunity for a good run. Fear tinged with excitement tickled her insides. Had his offer last night only been a ruse to meet her this morning?
    The excitement died. Certainly, he’d expected to see Minerva with her. It wasn’t as if he’d known her sister-in-law would be indisposed.
    The fear gave way to nervousness. Maybe she shouldn’t have left the house without a groom? It was one thing to go looking for trouble, another thing entirely to have it thrust upon her unexpectedly.
    And her alone with Markham was definitely trouble. The damn man was too attractive for his own good—though nowhere near as appealing as Gareth. Her insides fluttered as she recalled Gareth’s body pressed to hers. The hard planes of his chest flattening hers. The rigid length nestled low against her belly.
    Liquid heat pooled between her legs. What a singular sensation. Was that normal? Yet another question to pose, though how did one ask if it was normal for moisture to weep from a lady’s core? Embarrassment crawled a slow path from her chest up her neck. While she might not be able to ask Markham that particular question, surely he could answer some of the others, and surely the memory of Gareth was enough to resist whatever temptation the earl would offer. She slowed Bella, and Markham followed suit.
    He tipped his hat. “Well met, Miss Abbott.”
    She inclined her head. “Morning, my lord.” With a slight smile, she swept her gaze along the riding lane. It was empty save for them. She canted her head to the side. “Is all well with Lady Markham this morn?”
    His brows drew together as he frowned. “She’s feeling a bit under the weather and bade me come in her stead.”
    Annabelle twisted the ends of the reins. Had her behavior the previous night been so worrisome that a married lady would have sent her husband to speak to a young miss, alone? She nibbled on her lower lip. Or was it really a feint? Through narrowed eyes, she studied the park. Had he intended to somehow separate her from Minerva?
    “No worries, Miss Abbott. I promise my intentions are mostly honorable.”
    She couldn’t prevent a bark of laughter. “Mostly, my lord?”
    He smiled—and her worries disappeared. Mostly. “Shall we walk?”
    Now that was a horrible idea. At least mounted, there were horses between them. However, each step reminded her of the ache between her legs. It also made it almost impossible to face each other, and she had a feeling whatever he had to say was best addressed head on.
    “With pleasure, my lord.” Many a miss had probably said those same words before ruin found them. She reined in and dismounted.
    Whatever would her sister-in-law say about her behavior? Hadn’t she promised she’d let Minerva help her find a suitable husband? Hadn’t she promised to not get into any more scrapes?
    A pair of green eyes flashed to mind. She hadn’t expected her plan to find a man who would actually prove he was attracted to her to come to fruition. But now that Gareth had, she craved more of his kisses and more of his touch. She craved for him to fill the empty, weeping aching void of her sex with the hard length she’d felt pressed against her last evening. She might be a virgin, but she wasn’t naive to the ways of mating. The mechanics were probably similar no matter the species involved.
    She slanted a glance at