The Duke's Blind Temptation Read Online Free PDF

teach me. I think not.”
    “I’m not a baby. But you’re acting like one. Let me help you, please. Wouldn’t you like to go for a ride rather than sit in this house and frown all day?”
       
    * * * *

    With all his strength, Rafe pushed away the hopeful feeling her arrival brought. All week, he’d paced during the days and tossed and turned at night, recalling their last meeting. He’d both wanted her to return and dreaded the possibility. He’d thought this morning he might be over the worst of his longing, and here she was again, disrupting his life. Deliberately, he took his time answering her. After a swallow of coffee and the last bite of his roll, he wiped his mouth with his handkerchief.
    “I’ll walk outside with you. I’m not promising anything else.”
    A yearning went through him. Months had passed since he’d returned from the war. And except for their brief walk and when he’d moved here, he had stayed inside. He had nothing to lose. Otherwise, his days would continue as a repeat of yesterday and all the other days since his war injury.
    Rafe wished he could see her. The sound of her melodious voice echoed in his memory. His cock twitched at the thought of her warm, receptive body. His control was gone. He wanted her, badly. He was hungry, but not for food.
    “Are you finished?” he asked her.
    “Yes. I’ll take your arm, and we’ll walk out the front way.”
    He stood. He heard her steps as she crossed to his side. As she slid her arm around his, her fresh fragrance surrounded him. “What are you wearing today?”
    “I’m wearing my forest-green riding habit.”
    He heard the door open just as they got to it. “Booth, where have you been?”
    “Eh, Miss Upton requested I saddle Star, my lord.”
    “Ellie, you said a walk outside. I’m not dressed for—nor interested in—riding.”
    “You love to ride. I’ll go with you.”
    “Well, if I did try, a man, not a woman, would be my companion in case Star decided to take me for a gallop.”
    She pulled her arm away. He pictured her standing defiantly in front of him with her hands on her hips.
    “If you remember I outrode most of the boys in the area.”
    Her cool voice made his lips curve into a faint smile. “We were much younger.”
    “Are you frightened?” she taunted.
    “Not of anything.” He meant it. Hell, he hadn’t even cared if he died. Not until this past week when a ridiculous flicker of hope kept trying to take hold in his soul.
    “Then let Booth help you change into your riding clothes. Join me, please.”
    The challenge hung in the air. He was torn between wanting to shake her hard and the desire to kiss her breathless. Instead, he motioned to Booth and turned in the direction of his room.

Chapter Four

    Star’s muscles rippled under Rafe’s thighs, and sunlight warmed his face. The sense of freedom tasted sweet.
    “A smile. I thought you’d forgotten how.” Her soft voice reminded him he wasn’t alone. For a second, he’d forgotten.
    “Where shall we ride?” she asked.
    “There’s a waterfall by the side of a small pond toward the southeast corner of my land. We’ll ride there. Watch for a crossroads in the path and turn left.”
    Ellie told him what she saw as they rode along. Her keen descriptions assured him they were headed in the right direction. How had he forgotten the simple wonder of riding? Even without his eyesight, he still easily pictured how everything looked.
    They took their time. He savored the smells of fresh-cut hay floating along on the breeze. Birds chirped in the nearby trees, and the creak of the saddle was like music to his ears.
    Ellie’s voice broke into his reverie. “I see it ahead,” she said and directed him where to turn.
    As they got close, he heard the fall of water splashing into the pond. His favorite place. Mist caressed his face. He pulled on the reins, and Star stopped.
    “Let’s dismount and stay here for a time,” Ellie said.
    He heard her get off her