She knew exactly when the paroxysm finally ended for Daniel, because he immediately sagged against her as if all his strength had been drained.

“Damn,” he breathed after a moment, and slowly straightened to peer down at her and say solemnly, “I’m sorry.”

Suzette peered at him with surprise. “What for?”

“I shouldn’t have— The stables are not exactly the best place for a lady to— Someone could have come in and— I never should have—”

Suzette silenced him with a kiss, and hugged him tightly as she whispered, “Can we do it again?”

Daniel’s chest vibrated against hers with silent laughter, but then he gently eased back and said wryly, “As tempting as the idea is, I couldn’t right now. Besides, I have to go.” He pressed a kiss to the tip of her nose. “I’m sorry, but I really do have to go now.”

Suzette sighed with disappointment and reluctantly released him when he pulled away. She watched him tuck himself away and do up his trousers before setting to work on straightening her own clothes.

When he started to move back toward the stall he’d been in when she’d arrived earlier, she slid off the bale of hay, grimacing as she became aware of a tenderness between her legs. Ignoring it for now, she followed Daniel to the stall, asking, “How long will you be?”

“It’s about an hour from here by carriage and she will probably have to pack, but since I am riding there on horseback I don’t imagine it will be more than two hours,” he answered absently as he returned to saddling his horse.

“Can I accompany you?” she asked, reluctant to be parted from him so soon after what they’d done.

Daniel glanced her way with surprise, hesitated, but then shook his head and turned back to what he was doing. “No. It is better if I go alone.”

“Why?” Suzette asked with a frown, and then, worry entering her gaze, she accused, “You’re afraid your mother won’t like me, aren’t you?”

The question made him glance around at her again and he frowned at the suggestion, but said firmly, “No, of course not.”

“Then why can’t I come?” she asked, and then her eyes narrowed with suspicion as another thought struck her. “You are coming back?”

“Of course I am,” he said with a laugh, not even bothering to look at her this time. He then caught the reins of the horse he’d saddled and led it out of the stall. Pausing before her, he gave her a quick kiss and then took her arm to turn her around, saying, “Now go on back inside.”

Suzette tried to turn back, but he kept his hand on her arm and urged her forward, walking her to the stable doors and out into the courtyard, leading the horse by its reins as they went.