did to him, 'leads to other acts of greater intimacy, Allegra. I do not believe, and I must be the judge in such matters, that you are at all ready to meet and taste such delights. Perhaps it is best you retire now, my dear. We have several long days ahead of us.' Taking her gently by the shoulders he kissed her upon her forehead. 'Good night.'
He could see she was slightly bemused as she walked from the little chamber where they had had their meal. He was somewhat confused himself. Going to the sideboard he poured himself a dollop of whiskey, and went to sit down by the fire. What the hell was the matter with him? He had felt lust for Allegra, yes, but there had been something more. They were to marry. He could have seduced her, and what harm would there have been in it? She belonged to him now. Only a few churchly words stood between the legalities of their licit union and the facts. She was innocent, but her girlish kisses told him there was passion in her soul. Treated with tenderness, brought slowly along, she would in time, he suspected, prove to be enjoyable bedsport.
That was it, of course, he decided. He sensed the fire in her that Allegra didn't even know she possessed. Instinctively he realized he had to move carefully with her lest he frighten her off. He wanted to make her bloom with passion, not turn away in fear.
Allegra rode with him each day of their journey. Each night she curled herself in his lap, and, as she quaintly put it, practiced her kissing. 'Am I getting better?' she asked him one evening.
'With each passing day,' he assured her.
She nodded. 'Kissing is very pleasant, but rather repetitive, isn't it?' she said to him.
'There are variations,' he told her.
'Show me,' she whispered against his mouth.
His tongue slipped between her parted lips, and fervently caressed her. Allegra almost swooned in his arms.
'Yes,' he said, 'but they are much too advanced for you to be taught now. They involve caressing.'
'Caressing what?' she asked him innocently.
'You,' he answered with a small smile.
'Your breasts, and other more intimate parts,' he told her.
'Do you want to caress me, Quinton?' she asked hesitantly.
'Oh, yes, my dear, I do, but I do not think the time is right for you now. I want you to know me better. I want to know you better before we become closer, Allegra.'
'You are considerate of me,' she said. 'I hope we are not separated for too long,' she remarked. 'I really am anxious to come to Hunter's Lair. Even if my rooms aren't ready, couldn't we set up a tented pavilion upon your lawns for me? Papa and Aunt Mama are so
He stroked her dark hair. It was very soft, and fragrant with lilacs. 'I expect you will spend little time there, Allegra. I think that your new rooms will be ready for you quickly, and if they are not, I shall see that they are.' He suddenly realized he did not like the idea of being parted from her either for he enjoyed her company. How odd, he thought to himself. He could not remember ever before having enjoyed female company. He was not misogynistic in the least, but other than his late grandmother, whom he had admired and respected, and the women who had soothed his carnal desires, Quinton Hunter had little knowledge of women.
They parted the following day. The Duke of Sedgwick rode west into Hereford while Lord Morgan and his family turned off the highway following a smaller, local road to Morgan Court. Reaching home that evening Allegra found herself alone. Honor had begged permission to visit her parents as she had not seen them in several months. As for Lord Morgan and his wife, they had hurried upstairs once the evening meal had been cleared away. It was midsummer, and the twilight was long now. Allegra wandered out to the stables to visit her gelding.
The horse greeted her with a welcoming nicker, obviously pleased to be back home after their journey from London. Allegra saw that the beast had been thoroughly brushed, fed, and watered. She rubbed its velvet muzzle, and then left the stables to walk through her father's garden. The marble summer house by the lake beckoned her. She climbed the three broad, wide steps, and entering the little pavilion, sat down. She already missed the duke. His company had been more than pleasant if she were willing to admit it. She liked being kissed as well.
'I thought I should find you here,' a voice said.
'Rupert! How kind of you to come and welcome me home,' Allegra replied. 'Come, and sit with me. It is such a glorious evening. Do you hear the nightingale singing in the woods? There is no place as beautiful as Morgan Court.'
'Then why leave it, Allegra?' he asked her. Rupert Tanner was a pleasant-looking young man with light brown hair and pale blue eyes. 'You don't have to marry that duke. Your father is not so cruel as to make you marry a man you don't love.'
'But I do want to marry Quinton,' Allegra told him.
'Do you love him?' Rupert queried her. 'Does he love you?'
'Of course we do not love each other.' Allegra laughed. 'We haven't known each other long enough to even know if we really like each other, but I think that we do. We get on very well.'
'Rupert, I can never think of you as a husband. You have been my brother, my best friend next to Sirena,' Allegra responded. 'Now stop being so foolish. My wedding date is set for October fifth in London at St. George's. The king, the queen, and Prinny are coming. Lady Bellingham says it will be the wedding of the year. Madame Paul has already begun making my wedding gown. It is to be white and silver. Quite fashionable, I am told,' she finished with a smile.
'You are so young,' he replied. 'You cannot know what you want. You do not see past the excitement and the glamour of it all. You have never even been kissed!'
'Of course I've been kissed,' Allegra snapped, now becoming irritated by this cow-eyed young man. 'The duke and I have kissed many times. I quite like it, Rupert.'
He suddenly stood, pulling her up with him. Then he kissed her. His mouth mashed against her; his tongue tried to push into her mouth; and he smelled of onions. 'Allegra, Allegra, I love you! Marry me, my darling girl. I realize a country churchman's life cannot match the excitement of a duke's, but I adore you. Tell me you will send this duke packing, and be mine.'
Allegra struggled from his embrace. She smacked him hard upon his cheek. 'How dare you, Rupert Tanner? I was almost ready to forgive you for telling the duke that you and I had an informal agreement; but now I shall not. I am marrying Quinton Hunter because I want to marry him. No one is forcing me to it. It is my duty as my father's daughter to make the best marriage possible. As Papa's heiress a duke is just the right husband for me. Now go away. I do not want to see you again!'
