Ethan wasn’t sure why he and Darlington were languishing in the coach with their mounts—including Darlington’s new thoroughbred—tied behind. The ride to Exeter wasn’t long but he was edgy, in need of exercise. He was certain his restlessness had nothing to do with his constant mooning over Mignon. How annoying was it that he could be filled with the utter conviction to forget her one moment, and the next he was thinking about her again? His daydreams featuring her were truly idiotic. He’d even gone so far as to picture them married with a brood of beautiful children living at his house on the coast. Most of his musings, however, involved the making of those children. There she was. Mignon draped across his bed, naked and writhing. Mignon in the drawing room, panting her passion. Mignon in the stable… It was becoming a problem. More than once in the past few days his valet had had to call his attention back to the choosing of the day’s ascot—which had only resulted in yet another flight of fancy.
