Sexy As Hell

CHAPTER 30

AT THE SAME time Oz was riveted by the spectacle of a heavily pregnant belly for the first time in his life, Isolde was riding hard after the hounds. Will and Anne had invited her for the neighborhood hunt they were hosting that week, and since Pamela and Charles had promised to serve as shield to Will’s unwanted attentions, Isolde had accepted the invitation. In a few weeks, she’d no longer be able to ride hell-bent for leather but would have to content herself with a more gentle pace.

True to their word, either Pamela or Charles were at her side throughout the day as well as at dinner that evening. Isolde enjoyed the exhilarating afternoon, the soaring jumps and wild gallops, the warm spring temperatures and lush green countryside, the agreeable company of her neighbors, other than the Fowlers. All in all, she had a most gratifying time.

Even dinner was pleasant, with Charles and Pamela on either side of her at the table, the conversation animated, farming and horses favored topics, the food excellent. And when it came time to retire-the company staying over as was usual-Pamela saw her to her bedroom.

“I’ll wait to hear you lock your door,” she said as they reached Isolde’s door.

“Thank you, and thank Charles. I had a wonderful, peaceful day with no harassment from Will.”

“He was exceedingly grumpy by the end of the day, but you made Anne happy, if you care.”

Isolde shrugged. “Why not. As long as I escaped his attentions, I can afford to be magnanimous. Although,” she said with a smile as she opened her door, “the reviling looks sent my way by our hostess were not in the least charitable.”

“The poor girl doesn’t have a charitable bone in her body,” Pamela returned. “Although knowing her parents, it’s no wonder.”

“None of which is my problem,” Isolde airily noted, and with a wave, she entered her bedroom and locked her door.

But she didn’t immediately sleep that night, as was the case since Oz had left. It was most difficult to distract her thoughts once she was alone, when the activities with which she kept herself occupied during the day were at an end. She’d learned to run through the litany of all that was good in her life to remind herself there was recompense for her loss. But she missed him nevertheless.

She expected she always would.