“Yes what?” His gaze flickered across her face, lingering on her lips, her throat. “Thraxton, do you—”

She kissed him. She moved forward a few inches and placed her lips on his, a chaste sort of kiss, but a kiss nonetheless. As sad as it was her calm good sense was rudely ousted by a pair of firm, masculine lips.

Greyley didn’t hesitate. He lifted her to him, deepening the touch, his mouth hotly possessive. The heat that simmered between them exploded into an instant conflagration, and her skin flushed from the tips of her toes to the delicate skin on the back of her neck. She couldn’t think, couldn’t do anything but revel in the feelings that swept over her.

His mouth slid from hers and his breath blew hot on her cheek, tickling her ear and sending shivers of delight spiraling through her. “God, Thraxton,” he murmured against her temple. “You taste so good.”

So did he. Anna trailed her lips across his mouth, to his chin, and down the strong column of his throat. His cheek rubbed over her hair, the faint stubble catching the long strands. “Your room,” he murmured into her ear, his hand sliding across her shoulder to cup her breast.

Thousands of sensations exploded through her as he teased her nipple through her clothing. It was heaven. Anna sank against the wall, held up only by his roving, questing hands and her trembling knees. She closed her eyes and let the incredible feeling wash through her, over and over again.

“Your room,” he whispered, more urgently this time. “It’s just down the hall. Let me—”

“M-Miss Thraxton?”

Anna’s eyes flew open and she turned. There, standing outside the nursery, stood Elizabeth. She looked from Anna to Greyley with wide, shocked eyes. Greyley immediately stepped away, and Anna was left swaying in place.

She cleared her throat. “Elizabeth, Lord Greyley was just…whispering a secret.”

“Yes,” he immediately added. “A very important secret.”

He didn’t even sound out of breath, damn him.

“What secret?” Elizabeth asked, diverted.

The earl crossed his arms and rocked back on his heels, looking annoyingly smug. “About something Miss Thraxton is very fond of doing.”

“What are you fond of doing?” Elizabeth asked, looking at Anna with eager eyes. Greyley stood watching, amusement lurking in his gaze.

Amusement, but not a speck of the passion that had so shaken Anna. That jolted her back to life. She smoothed her skirts with trembling hands and pasted a smile on her mouth. “Lord Greyley said that we might ride every day if you and the others wish.”

Elizabeth gave a jump of joy. “Every day!” She turned and dashed back into the nursery, shouting her good news.

There was a moment of silence. “Strange,” he said, “but I don’t recall saying anything about riding every day.”

“Well, you did. Right between the ‘you taste so good’ and the ‘let’s go to your room.’” Anna straightened her dress, which had somehow gotten twisted. “It was very kind of you to allow us to ride so often. I’m sure the children and I will enjoy it very much.” She smoothed her skirts, somehow afraid to meet his gaze. “Lady Putney and Grandpapa will wonder where you are. You had better go.”