Page 50 of The Dangerous Love of a Rogue
The driver passed her bag to Drew.
‘We are taking my phaeton.’
Mary’s lower lip had caught between her teeth.
He hoped she was not having second thoughts. ‘This is your chance to speak up if you have changed your mind?’
Why the hell did I ask her that?He did not want her to withdraw, it would rip him apart if she did. But he could not take her if she was not willing.
Her pale blue eyes shone even in the shadow of the narrow brim of her straw bonnet. A soft ache settled behind his ribs, emotions writhing.
The bonnet had a large lavender bow tied at one side of her chin and her light spencer matched the shade of the ribbon, while her dress was a muslin three shades lighter. She looked nothing like the women he would have spent time with before he met her.
She smiled. ‘I have not changed my mind. I want to be your wife.’
‘Good, because I want to be your husband.’
She kissed his lips quickly. It was placation. A kindness. It annoyed him that she had seen a weakness in his character. But no matter, as long as she did not change her mind.
He took her hand and led her to his phaeton, nodding at the groom who held the horses’ heads. The man was from the mews where Drew stabled his horses.
Drew handed her up. The tall racing curricle was not designed with a lady’s ascent, and he saw a flash of a narrow, stocking-clad ankle as she climbed the steps. He would soon see it in the flesh.
When she sat, he walked about the carriage. A surge of feeling weighed down on him. She was his responsibility now. He must protect her.
He put her bag under the seat, then climbed up.
One of her hands held the carriage’s frame, the other her reticule.
Drew picked up the reins and nodded at the groom, telling him to let go of the horses’ heads.
Drew flicked the reins. His horses, Athena and Hera, walked on. A smile pulled at his lips, soon he’d no longer need to fear the duns taking his horses.
Mary did not speak.
He had no idea what to say to her. He concentrated on driving the horses.
The sounds of the London streets, the tack, hoof beats and the roll of the carriages’ wheels absorbed his thoughts. He’d lived in London for so long, and before that in cities abroad, these sounds to him were like a mother’s heartbeat to an infant in the womb.
When they reached the outskirts, the traffic thinned, then they progressed into open countryside and the world expanded to distant horizons. The only sounds now were that of his phaeton and horses, the creaks as the vehicle rocked on its springs as they cantered along the dry roads, the horses’ hooves pounding.
‘Do you like the countryside?’ Mary asked, making drawing room conversation.
‘I was a boy once, and boys love trees to climb and rivers to swim or fish in. I loved the countryside then, but now I am a town gentleman. I cannot recall the last time I left town.’
‘My parents have taken my brothers and sisters to Pembroke Place, not far from London, to enjoy the park. It is John’s estate. The younger children become bored in town. I like London, I enjoy the season, but I prefer to be at home. My father’s estate is in Berkshire. It is peaceful there.’
He stared at the road as she spoke. He felt awkward with her today. Clumsy. He could not speak of families. He could not imagine the things she was thinking.
‘Where is your family’s home?’
He glanced at her, a bitter smile catching his lips. ‘Shropshire, just south of Shrewsbury.’
‘And your parents are there?’
He did not look at her this time. ‘Yes, they are there or in town. My eldest brother lives with them. I do not visit.’
‘You don’t?’
