That same afternoon, Sebastian led Ivy to the stables. Samuel, the stable master, met them in the entranceway, his smile warm with welcome before making an excuse to disappear quite abruptly.

Ivy gave Sebastian a quizzical glance at the man’s odd behavior just as he reemerged from one of the aisles, leading a dappled grey mare. The horse’s polished hooves danced a delicate tattoo on the cobblestones, her head high as the stable master grinned with pride. Ivy’s eyes lit up, a longing on her features that could not be concealed.

“Her name is Spring,” Sebastian said, taking the lead rope from Samuel. The horse gazed at them with dark, sweet eyes then butted a finely molded head against Ivy’s shoulder in curiosity.

Ivy ran a hand down the sleek neck. "She's perfect. And so beautiful.”

“No denying that,” Sebastian agreed. “She’s one of Raven's get. I bred him to one of Bentley’s finest mares before I left England and to our surprise, that mare threw twin foals. Alan gifted the filly over to me and kept the colt.” He ran his hand over the mare’s flank, pleased when she did not nervously dance away. She was a good mount for Ivy; spirited and gentle. "She's yours, if you would like her.” Smoothing his hand over Spring’s rump, he gave it a light, affectionate slap. “Or, if you rather, you may have your choice of any horse in our stables. We can even journey to Tattersall’s…I will purchase whatever horse you…”

"Oh, I love her, Sebastian,” Ivy interrupted, her face glowing. “She reminds me of my pony, Heather. She’s retired at Somerset Hall, the old girl. They are almost the same color, although Spring is certainly taller, nor as plump. I shall go change into my riding habit at once.”

Sebastian shook his head in regret, smiling at her impulsiveness. "Have you noticed the lateness of the hour, love? It will be nightfall soon. Tomorrow, we’ll set out and explore the estate and you can ride her then. It pleases me that you like her but she only arrived this morning, so a bit of settling is best on her first day.”

Ivy glanced out the double doors of the stables. The afternoon had quickly slipped away. Stable boys lined up buckets of oats for the evening rations while high overhead in the lofts, other lads tossed down hay into the individual stalls. She stroked Spring’s velvety nose, leaning to breathe deep her sweet horsey smell. "You are right. It’s so hard to wait, but tomorrow will be a lovely day to ride. Thank you, Sebastian. Thank you for gifting her to me."

Sebastian handed the mare’s lead rope to her and crossed over to Raven's roomy corner box. Slipping inside, he ran a hand down the stallion's legs, checking for any lingering effects from their late night ride. Giving the restless horse an identical pat on the rump, Sebastian’s words drifted to Ivy standing outside the stall.

"I rode Raven fairly hard last night, but he'll be itching to get out tomorrow. He's not one to appreciate confinement.”

Sebastian leaned over Raven's stall door, his eyes dancing. Ivy’s cheeks were pink. Studying Spring’s dappled pattern, she traced the curve of the mare’s slightly dished nose before sneaking a glance at him. Her sudden silence must be in response to the unspoken reminder of what occurred in the library and that morning. Exiting the box, he retrieved Spring’s lead rope, guiding the mare back to her stall with a clucking sound.

"Why doesn't he like it?" Ivy asked, an odd breathiness to her voice.

Sebastian shot her an inquiring glance as he closed the stall door, throwing the iron latch to secure it.

His wife was truly dazzling. Like a sweet piece of fruit, she stood in the center of the cobblestone aisle way. The apple green dress turned her eyes to a sparkling shade of emerald, dust motes dancing about her, caught in shafts of late afternoon sunlight. The stable boys, busy with their chores in anticipation of the end of the workday, buzzed about her like industrious bees, unable to take their eyes off her.

"Samuel,” Sebastian called out, his eyes never once leaving her face as the man came jogging up. "We require the use of your office. Her Ladyship feels a bit faint. Just the excitement of the new horse, I'm sure, but a moment of privacy will be appreciated.”

Ivy stared at him in amazement when he took her arm. Before she could voice an objection, Samuel wholeheartedly offered the use of his office for as long as necessary, although everyone understood Sebastian did not need to provide an explanation for its use. The Earl of Ravenswood could go and do whatever he desired.

Sebastian directed Ivy to the opposite end of the building and into a spacious room. It was an orderly space. A battered and scarred oak desk containing various stacks of paperwork relating to the operation of the stables took up most of one corner. Pieces of bridles and snaffle bits were interspersed among the papers, with some used as paperweights. Against one wall was a narrow cot, useful for when the mares were in foal, and a spot was required to rest.

Shutting the door behind them, Sebastian lit a lantern to supplement the golden light streaming through the upper gallery style windows. A traditional window just behind the desk was open to the late afternoon breeze. Pastures were visible through it, the green grass gilded gold as the sun began to descend behind the trees.

"What devilry are you are about?” Ivy watched Sebastian lean against the functional desk. "I certainly don't feel faint.”

"Don’t you?” His eyebrows soared. Folding his arms across his chest, legs stretched and crossed at the ankles, his expression was curious. "You appeared quite pale for a second there. And you sounded a bit shaky.”

A nearly invisible shiver ran through Ivy.

"What is the matter, love?" he murmured. "You know, I can always tell when something is vexing you.”

She stared at him, eyes wide. "You can?"

Sebastian shrugged. "You are quite transparent. At least to me. Don’t you know that?"

“No,” she responded slowly. “All of London believes me to be made of ice. Perhaps you are right. Perhaps only you see through me. Regardless, I don't know why you think anything could be wrong. I only thought Raven must enjoy his rest, considering the hour you returned...and we rose so late this morning...” Her voice trailed off while another unfortunate blush colored her cheeks.

His smile was perceptive. "Come here to me, darling.” Ivy accepted his hand, allowing him to tug her against him. Widening his stance so she fit between his legs, she squirmed at his perusal as he asked, "Are you remembering what we experienced together?"

The flush on her face was answer enough as she remained silent and stiff in the circle of his arms.

"Are we moving too quickly?" Sebastian dreaded her answer. He did not intend to give her up, but he possibly could control himself so he was not making love to her three times a day. Besides, even with his renowned stamina, he doubted his ability to keep such a pace. Especially with Ivy. Every orgasm experienced thus far was soul draining and exhausting. She wrung him dry and he loved every minute of it. An insistent voice in his head immediately screamed his endurance would be maintained as long and as often as necessary. Clearing his throat, he asked, “Do you regret making love?”

"No.”

Her husky little whisper was surely designed by the Devil himself, designed to drive him mad with want. Tilting Ivy's chin, Sebastian recognized a spark of yearning in the gold flashing depths of her eyes. "Do you wish me to kiss you?"

Her eyes fluttered shut for a heartbeat, thick, sable lashes brushing like delicate fans against her skin. She sagged a little in his arms then steeled herself. "Yes,” she whispered, almost angrily, eyes snapping back open. “I shouldn't, but I do. I should have some control over myself and my emotions."

Sebastian chuckled, wrapping both arms about her, pulling her as close as her full skirts would allow. Soft and restless, her fingers traced the shape of his shirt’s buttons and he found himself filled with bemused desire. "There’s no need for restraint. In fact, I forbid it. Anytime you want to be kissed, sweet little wife, you need only say so. Or, better yet, you kiss me.”

When his lips settled on hers, Ivy melted into him without hesitation. Her hands gripped the front of his shirt, twisting the fabric. The aching sweetness he tasted on her lips fired his blood. With a little growl that came from somewhere in the back of his throat, or maybe his gut - he wasn't quite sure, his hands moved to cradle her face.

The loud bang of someone dropping a feed bucket on the cobblestones broke them apart.

"That's probably for the best,” Sebastian ground out. He eased her away as she gazed up at him in wonder. “I can’t seem to control myself when I’m with you. Another minute and I’d have you on that cot…or maybe even across this desk…”

Exhaling slowly, he closed his eyes and willed his body to a more manageable state. Ivy's words from that morning regarding different places he could make love to her needled and pricked him like a thousand bees. Suddenly, it was all he could think of.

He could make love to her here, in the stable master’s office. Oh, and the hedge maze, hidden behind a wall of glossy, emerald green boxwood. He would lay her across one of the many decorative concrete benches and push her skirts high, exposing her to his gaze and the deep blue sky. The orangery would be perfect too, surrounded by lemon and orange trees, the air perfumed with citrus. Butterflies would flutter about, paying tribute to Ivy, to the countess of butterflies, as he took her amongst the lilies and the roses, the scent of her, the lushness of her filling his head.

Or, perhaps the century-old apple orchard. Sweet, green grass would serve as their bed and fragrantly soft apple blossom petals would shower their naked bodies every time a warm breeze sifted through the trees...

"Sebastian?" Ivy’s soft voice snapped him from his pleasant daydreams, her expression quizzical. "You are suddenly a million miles away. Where were you just now?"

Staring at her, feeling a bit dazed, a broad grin slowly spread across his face. "Do not worry, my love. In time, I’ll take you there and show you.”