Page 42 of The Storybook Hero
Hell’s bells.He was the most exasperating person she had ever encountered—cool and courageous one moment, obnoxious and odious the next. He had wit and intelligence, and yet he took pains to hide them behind a mask of jaded indifference. Who was the true Mr. Leigh?
Octavia thought for a moment, deciding the answer was much more complex than she had first imagined. And for a fleeting instant, she had the oddest notion … perhaps he wasn’t sure either.
She had no idea of what past experiences had shaped his behavior, and yet she was quite sure that he wasn’t as dissolute as he pretended to be. Even his blatant attempts at seduction were softened by the look she had detected in his eyes—rather than a calculating coldness, it was something more akin to regret.
Shaking off such brooding, Octavia swallowed the last of her tea. Whether he was an unprincipled rogue or a storybook hero, Alexander Leigh was who they were all depending on to get themsafely to St. Petersburg. And judging by his current appearance, they had better get moving.
Ten
Alex swirled the dregs of his brew. He could hardly blame her for the look of disgust that spasmed over her features as he had passed. His actions the previous night had been deliberately insulting. But for some reason, it bothered him to think she found him less than admirable.
It shouldn’t, he reminded himself. By now, he ought to be used to being a disappointment to those around him.
With a muttered oath, he drank off the rest of his thick, sweet tea, vowing to put all such disquieting reflections aside. In this current mental state, his fuzzed wits had enough to deal with in trying to get all of them safely north, without becoming sidetracked in such wayward meanderings. He must marshal his mismatched troops and get them on the road, despite the fact that the rapidly dropping temperature was already tracing a pattern of ice crystals across the windowpanes.
It would be bitterly cold on the driver’s box, and nearly as uncomfortable inside the small carriage, for the few blankets he had managed to procure would be woefully inadequate to stave off the brewing storm. But there was little choice in the matter. They must keep moving north.
Alex took small consolation in the fact that there was little chance that he would have to endure the frosty demeanor of his new traveling companion during the journey. Under the circumstances, it was quite unlikely she would renew her absurd offer to handle the reins.
He turned from the window, only to catch a glance of Octavia rising in response to a gesture from the proprietor. It was with some surprise that he watched her follow the fellow into a small storage room, then emerge a short time later with a bulky canvas sack.
“Are you and Miss Renfrew ready to leave?” he inquired as she approached, his brows arching at the sight of the bundle in her arms.
She ignored his questioning look. “Yes. As the weather looks to be worsening, we should at least try to cover some of the miles between us and our goal.” Her manner was cool, but no more than he expected.
Alex’s head inclined a fraction. “Then I shall give notice that the horses are to be readied.” Though he was only outdoors for a brief time, his cheeks were ruddy with cold when he came stomping back in.
Octavia laid a hand on his sleeve as he bent to pick up the two small valises that belonged to her and Emma. “A moment, Mr. Leigh.” She withdrew a sturdy pair of felt boots and a thick fur hat from the recesses of the sack. “I believe you may be a bit more comfortable in these.”
He stared at her in utter surprise.
“You will catch your death of cold if you try to drive wearing what you have on,” she explained.
“B-But …”He blinked. “How did you manage to come by these?”
“I purchased them, of course.” She opened the sack a little wider. “Along with several more blankets and a few other things that may come in useful.”
“You brought those for me?” he asked, unable to keep the note of incredulousness out of his voice.
A ghost of a smile crossed her lips. “You needn’t make a fuss about it. They are hardly tokens of endearment, Mr. Leigh. It is in my interest to see to it that you do not expire before we reach St. Petersburg.”
His lips quirked upward too. “Even though what you really wish is to take a poker to my skull for my behavior of last night.”
“Or some other part of your anatomy.”
He gave a bark of laughter. “I shall have a care in your proximity, knowing full well you are quite capable of putting me in my place.”
There was a brief pause. “Then let me start now,” said Octavia. “If we are to rub along together without constant sparks, you must kindly cease all your frivolous flirtations and suggestive games with me. You may find them amusing to you, but I do not.”
“Games?”
“Oh come, please don’t play the fool, for I know very well that you are no such thing. And as I’ve said before, you’re much more interesting to be with when you don’t feel impelled to play the dissolute wastrel.” Her voice dropped a notch. “And it’s not setting a good example for the children.”
With a start, Alex realized her words, though couched as a set-down, had actually lightened his dark mood. The fact that she had spoken to him as if he were capable of doing the right thing seemed to imply that she didn’t consider him an irredeemable reprobate.
“So, do we have an agreement?” she asked.
“Very well, Miss Hadley. No more games.”
