Chapter 23
As they entered the room, Stephanie's eyes were drawn to its occupant. He looked to be in his early thirties and was standing by the fireplace, his tall, slim, frame leaning against the surround. He had wide shoulders but a slim waist and well-muscled legs. His dark auburn hair glinted in the light but the most startling feature about him was his vivid green eyes as they turned towards her.
Her stomach fluttered as those eyes swept over her, measuring and slightly guarded, then a charming smile tugged at the side of his well-shaped and generous lips. All of a sudden, Stephanie had an intense desire to feel those lips on hers, in fact not just her lips but all over her body. Now it wasn't just her stomach that was fluttering, her pussy was experiencing the same sensations!
David escorted her over to the fireplace.
"James, please allow me to introduce you to Stephanie Marshall, a young lady who is my house guest at present," he began. "Stephanie, this is James, Viscount of Cleeves."
James took her fingers in his, bent and dropped a light kiss onto her hand.
"I'm pleased to meet you, Stephanie," he said, his voice rich and mellow.
Stephanie was startled by the strength and slight roughness of his well-manicured hand.
"I'm pleased to meet you too," she said huskily, as her voice seemed to share the reactions of the rest of her body.
The telephone rang and excusing himself, David went to answer it. He listened briefly then put the phone down.
"My apologies, but a situation has arisen that I must personally attend to," David said, regret colouring his tone. "Stephanie, would you entertain our guest while I sort things out?"
"Of course ... David," Stephanie said, taking her cue from her Master but almost calling him Sir out of habit.
David nodded to them both then strode out of the room, leaving them alone together.
There was an awkward silence for a moment before James cleared his throat.
"Shall we sit?" he asked and escorted Stephanie to one of the comfortable armchairs.
"Thank you," Stephanie replied.
Taking her courage in her hands, Stephanie decided to open the conversation, knowing that David expected her to keep his guest entertained.
"I hope you had a good flight over from England, and that you didn't experience too strong a head wind, Lord Cleeves" she began, starting with a topic about which she was knowledgeable.
"Please," James said with a slightly pained expression on his face, "call me James. I can't stand formality!"
"Very well, James then," Stephanie said smiling. "Did you have a good flight? I hope the attendants treated you well and that there wasn't too much turbulence."
"The flight was fine," James replied, "although almost 10 hours is a long time to be in the air."
"I know," Stephanie agreed ruefully, "especially when all that time is spent on your feet!"
At James' questioning look, she explained that she was a senior flight attendant on the London to Miami route. Understanding lit his eyes and they chatted for a while about air travel and the places they had visited. After a while Stephanie plucked up the courage to ask him what he did.
"I own and run a stud farm," he replied, laughing at Stephanie's surprised expression. "I know, I know," he said, "not the sort of thing you expect the son of an earl to be doing," his expression darkened, "as my father keeps telling me."
Having a domineering parent herself, Stephanie completely understood and told him so.
"So what type of horses do you breed?" she asked.
"Well, I've been experimenting with thoroughbreds and warm bloods to develop the ultimate show jumper," James told her, enthusiasm lighting his eyes. "Back in the late seventies and early eighties, when our team rode thoroughbreds, the British were almost unbeatable. Since then we have switched to warmbloods and seen our dominance wane. I have been trying to breed a horse that has the best traits of both -- the intelligence and bravery of the thoroughbred with the stamina and muscle of the warmblood."
Stephanie watched as his whole body came alive. This was obviously something that he was passionate about. She too had always had a love affair with horses but her job as a flight attendant left her no time to pursue it. She missed being around them, the sweet smell of their breath, the musky smell of their sweat after a good workout and the feeling of awe that such a large animal was obedient to her commands.
James' enthusiasm sparked her own as she told him how she felt about horses. When David returned an hour later they were still animatedly discussing various aspects of breeding, training and working with horses in general. It was obvious that they were kindred spirits. David smiled to see them getting along so well in such a short space of time. Stephanie had obviously forgotten all about James' title and for his part, he had lost the guardedness that had been apparent when they had first entered.
"Thank you, Stephanie," David said, reluctantly breaking into what was obviously quite an intense conversation. "I need you to go and see Kristy please."
Almost ... but not quite reluctantly, (she was obedient to her Master's orders after all) Stephanie rose and excused herself. James' eyes followed her as she gracefully made her way out of the room, her gown sweeping the floor behind her.
"I take it you like the girl," David said with an amused smile.
"She's ... she's not like anyone I've ever met before," James replied. "Certainly not like the creatures my father keeps trying to foist on me! Honestly David," he said heatedly, "I feel like one of my own stud stallions, being lined up with a suitable mare to improve the bloodline!"
"Calm down," David advised the younger man. "I can assure you Stephanie is a unique and amazing young woman," he paused, looking searchingly at him, "but I can see you have already found that out," he said.
"Indeed I have," James replied fervently. "Tell me, David," is she the person you told me about over the phone? The one you wanted me to meet?"