Page 33 of Married to the Rake

Following the road out of the village, it swiftly turned into a country road lined by hedgerows. The ruts were deeper here because the rain had few places to drain so when the roads were muddy, it was usually impassable. It meant watching their step so as not to trip over—something Chloe seemed to struggle to do. She stumbled twice and Brook had to jump into action to catch her.

The second time, she did not push away from him so fast. Her gaze caught on his and he could have sworn he heard her inhale sharply. Her fingers curled into his arm and he flexed his fingers against the small of her back. Her cheeks reddened and she straightened.

“I am not normally so clumsy.”

“I beg to differ,” he murmured with a smile.

“I am not. It just seems to be…” She scowled. “It seems to be when you are around,” she admitted quietly.

He rather liked that admission.

“Your friends seem like pleasant girls.”

“I think Joanna would object to the ‘girls’ part of that.”

He grinned. “Yes, she is the epitome of a strong woman.”

“The death of her husband did that to her, I think.”

“It must have been quite a shock, to lose him so soon and at such a young age.”

Chloe nodded. “I did not know her properly when it happened and she does not speak of it much but how could it not affect her?”

“I was wondering when you became friends with them. I have never seen you with them before.”

She peered at him. “I did not know you paid attention to my activities. I rather thought I was invisible to you.”

“I had to keep an eye on the enemy, did I not?”

She pursed her lips. “You are correct, though. We came to know each other during the last Season. There is rather a drought of single women my age now. They are all married off.”

“But not you.”

“Yes, thank you for reminding me of that.”

“I had rather thought you were not all that interested in marriage.”

“I am not, I do think. At least, I have never met anyone to whom I would wish to be married. But it is rather a bore to be reminded of my unmarried status constantly and, of course, Mama would love for me to make a match before I am too old and horrible.”

“It might be too late for that,” he teased.

She swiped at his arm. “We cannot all be beautiful like you, Brook.”

He dodged her hand. “You think I am beautiful?”

“You know full well you are attractive. Or at least some people think you are. I mean…that is…” She blew out a breath. “Cease teasing me.”

“I am not alone in my attractiveness.”

Turning her head to eye him, a red brow lifted and she laughed. “You cannot mean me.”

“I do indeed.”

“I am not being modest, I swear it, but I am hardly the sort to turn heads.”

“You turn mine, Chloe.”

Head tilted, she stared at him for a good few seconds more then looked away. They continued along the road in silence until they reached the fence leading into the fields. She stopped and waited.

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