Page 21 of The Devil and the Heiress
She was immediately grateful for the offer, which made her pause in accepting it. Wasn’t she supposed to be doing this on her own? Proving to herself that she could solve her own problems? Could she trust him?
“It would hardly be proper to be seen with you alone in a carriage.”
“That is true, but who will see you? The shades are drawn.” His argument was entirely too reasonable. A quick glance confirmed that the windows were blackened by the lengths of heavy cloth. The rain had transformed from a near-constant drizzle to a very constant drizzle. She shifted her umbrella so that it shielded him as well.
His eyes flared subtly, as if he were surprised by the move. Though they were not standing any closer, the shelter of the umbrella stilled the air around them, bringing an immediate sense of intimacy to their discussion. “You would take me to King’s Cross Station?”
“Of course.”
“You would ensure that no one saw me alight from your vehicle?”
“Yes. There is an alley nearby. My coachman can walk you to the entrance if you prefer.”
“And you would not tell my parents of my escape?”
“Certainly not.” He appeared offended she would ask.
Still she felt suspicious. “Why would you do that?”
“I told you I would help you.” He grinned again, giving her a glimpse of his white teeth. Strange, but somehow that seemed very intimate as well. She had hardly ever seen himsmile with teeth visible. The fact that he was showing that smile to her made a very pleasant sensation tighten in her belly. It softened his good looks, making them appear less forbidding but somehow more beautiful.
“Why?”
“Because I would despise it if you were to marry Lord Ware.”
“Why?” she asked again.
His smile widened and he shrugged. “Because I do not care for the man, nor do I care for the idea of him attaining you.”
She laughed at his honesty. She had sensed a tension, perhaps even a rivalry, between the two of them. If his help was given to simply thwart Lord Ware’s plans, then she trusted it more, but she would still tread warily with him, especially since it was her own reactions to him she didn’t trust. “All right, then, but I will not tell you where I am going.”
He held up a hand. “Understood.”
“I will allow you to take me to the station. However, I need to make one stop first.”
“I am yours for the day.”
Chapter 8
Upon occasion the simplest way forward was the right path, even if it was littered with temptations.
V. Lennox,An American and the London Season
After telling Peterson, his coachman, to take them to Lady Helena March’s townhome in Mayfair, Christian joined Violet in the carriage. Shaking the rain off her umbrella, he cast one last glance along the street to make certain no one watched them, before closing it up and settling himself across from her. She smiled her thanks and laid the umbrella on the floor.
Taking her had been almost too easy. Either her parents were incredibly naive about the lure their daughter presented, or they seriously underestimated her independent spirit. Probably both. As she settled her skirts around her legs, her scent washed over him. Though it was mild, he detected the sophistication of a French perfume. It was the same scent she had worn at the ball when she had kissed him. Despite his intentions to not allow his thoughts to go in that direction, his gaze drifted down to her lips. He had thought of that innocent kiss much more than he would have liked. Her inexperience had been obvious, butsomething about the kiss had hastened him to arousal quicker than he had anticipated.
Her lush mouth tipped up in a smile, and her brown eyes held a soft golden tint as she observed him. Her pale and flawless complexion glowed with health. She was as fresh and pure as a daisy in a field of manure. That meant he was the manure. No, worse. He was the loutish farmer who would crush her beneath his boot. She deserved better. Guilt dared to raise its unwelcomed head.
“You’re scowling.” Her voice was soft with just the right amount of husk to rake over his senses. The skin on the back of his neck tightened in awareness. “I fear I’ve inconvenienced you.”
“No, you haven’t.” His gaze dropped to the attractive curve of her bosom before he could stop it, forcing him to drag it back up to her face. “I do not mean to scowl. My face does that from time to time.”
She laughed. “I have noticed you rarely smile.” All serious with concern now, she added, “Is it because of your leg? Does it pain you?”
No one brought up his limp, not ever. It wasn’t discussed in polite circles. He had almost decided that most people assumed the cane was a mere accessory. She was a decidedly outspoken woman. Her question reminded him that the rain had made it ache a bit, so he stretched it out, his calf brushing her skirts in the process. She did not move them away as propriety dictated. “It is because I am an earl and looking serious is part of the title.”
“Being an earl sounds tedious and tiresome.” She smiled again, settling back into her seat as the carriage turned a corner. “Thank you very much for the ride. I’m not sure I can ever repay you, considering I am leaving town for the foreseeable future, but if you ever have need of me, I assure you I will be happy to assist you in any way.”
