Page 40 of The Miracle of Love
“It all sounds good, Deklan.”
“We’ll have to ride fast out of London. We need to get as far away from here as possible before our game is found out.”
“I can do it. I happen to be an accomplished rider.”
“I know.”
“You do? Was it in one of your reports?”
“No, I noticed your riding habits in the wardrobe earlier. A dark emerald velvet and a sapphire blue. You obviously take pride in your equestrienne abilities. But do not bother to bring those outfits along to Bexhill. Everyone will remember you if look like a princess. You need to look like a scullery maid. Drab gowns. Plain, dull colors, but make sure they are warm because we are going to be traveling in the cold for hours.”
She nodded. “Drab. Scullery.”
He tweaked her chin. “But I doubt anyone will ever believe you are a scullery maid. Those poor women have miserably hard lives and their careworn faces make them look eighty years old by the time they are thirty. You are far too pretty. Nor will your hands ever pass for those of a worker. Not a trace of redness or raw blisters on them.”
He reached for her hands again and took them in his. “Perhaps a soldier’s wife. This is what we shall be, a captain and his wife traveling home for the holidays. What do you think, army or navy?”
“Does it make a difference?”
“No, not really. But I think navy since we’ll be headed toward the sea. I’ll have to borrow a uniform from Romulus or Ronan since I have don’t happen to have one here. I am about their size, so I won’t have to worry about the fit.”
“You are all the size of gladiators,” she muttered.
“Yes, we do run big in this family. Are you ready for the journey, Grace? Once we are safely out of London, we’ll be able to slow our pace. But we’ll be traveling as husband and wife, sharing quarters there and back.”
Of course.
This is what had her so distracted. “This troubles you, doesn’t it? It cannot be helped. This is the only way we can avoid suspicion in our travels.”
“I understand.” She nodded. “I should not be this sensitive about it since we are already sharing a bedchamber and it is enough of a humiliation. In truth, our escape will be a relief to no longer be under the watchful eye of your family. They have all been wonderfully kind, but we are unmarried. Everyone knows it. I cannot hide from it. The shame destroys me.”
He cupped her face in his hands. “You are a lady through and through. None of this will change a thing.”
“You are wrong. We may outwit these foreign agents tonight, but what if we are recognized along the way? Our families are well known. It is not inconceivable. If so much as a whisper of our traveling together gets out, I’ll be labeled a…I cannot even say the word aloud.”
“We’ll address this problem if it comes up. Nothing to be done about it now…unless you wish to change your mind and let Crown agents go in our place.”
“No, we have to do this ourselves. I am not making it up when I say I am not certain where to look. I need to see the grounds of that manor house in Bexhill.”
“All right. Give me a moment to talk to Shayne, Caleb, and Rafe, then I’ll return to pack. In the meanwhile, I want you to set out whatever clothes you’ll need. Remember, warm and serviceable. Nothing to draw the attention of strangers. Also keep in mind we have to travel light. One pouch for each of us, but you can add some of your things to mine if you haven’t the room in yours.”
She watched with surprise as he tookThe Book of Loveand tucked it in his pouch. “We’re taking it?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to read it.”
She cast him an impish smirk.
“Go ahead, Grace. Enjoy your moment of gloating,” he said, responding with a gentle smile. The girl was so tender at heart, he ached for her. “I know you are eager to do so.”
“I am not gloating,” she said, but her eyes remained glittering in amusement. “If you must know, I am delighted you wish to read the book. Not for my sake, but for yours. Do not be put off by that first chapter. I found it rather shocking, but quite informative.”
He laughed. “Now, I must read it without delay.”
“I think falling in love is a gift always to be cherished. You must have been in love before, even though you insist on denying it. I won’t pry. You’ll just tell me it is none of my business.”
