Page 31 of The Rake I Wished For
“I’d prefer some air today,” he said when all three of them approached the carriage that waited for them outside the inn. Coward that he was, he avoided her searching look as he helped her into the carriage.
“Harlow…”
He flashed her a smile that he did not feel. “Fret not, Jo,” he said in a voice he hoped sounded cheerful. “I’ll be up front with the driver if you need me.”
She opened her mouth as if to respond, but with a wink he shut the door behind the useless Mrs. Clemens, and allowed himself a sigh of relief.
He climbed up next to the driver, who greeted him with a grunt.
Excellent. The driver clearly had no desire to chat, which left Harlow alone with his thoughts.
Which…was torture.
But far less tortuous than being trapped inside a carriage with the woman he loved.
He shook his head as the carriage took off down the dusty road.
Of all the foolish, reckless, ridiculous things he’d done in his life—and there were many—falling in love with his best friend’s sister absolutely took the cake.
CHAPTERNINE
Jocelyn was at once relievedand frustrated when they finally arrived on her brother’s doorstep.
Relief won out, however, when her brother pulled her into his arms for a fierce embrace, followed quickly by a crushing hug from Rose. “Oh, we have missed you so,” Rose said.
Rose glanced between Jocelyn and Harlow as she added, “Both of you.”
Liam, meanwhile, was clapping Harlow on the back, his grin the sort that had been so rare before Rose came along and showed him how much love he had to give. “Harlow, my friend, good to see you.”
Rose linked her arm through Jocelyn’s as they headed inside, the men following behind them, and the servants trailing after with the trunks. “You must have been dreadfully bored in London to change your travel plans so abruptly,” Rose said.
“Mmm.” Jocelyn couldn’t bring herself to lie outright so she spent the next few minutes evading questions about their sudden change in plans.
And then she spent the next few moments after that rudely ignoring Rose as she blatantly eavesdropped on the conversation going on with the men behind her.
Her brother was talking about some visitor who’d come hoping to find Harlow.
“He said he was an investor,” her brother said.
Harlow’s silence was telling.
When she couldn’t stand it a moment longer, Jocelyn half turned to glance back just as they all filed into the drawing room.
“Yes, well, that’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about,” Harlow said.
“Is it true you bought the old Mandrick property?” he asked.
Harlow still wore his easy grin, but Jocelyn could feel Harlow’s discomfort with this topic as if it was her own.
“Really, Liam,” Jocelyn cut in. “We’ve been traveling all day.”
“Oh yes, Jocelyn is right,” Rose was quick to agree. “There will be plenty of time for you gentlemen to catch up after they’ve had a chance to rest.”
Liam smiled. “You’re right, of course. I’ll go make sure the new footman knows where to take your things.”
Harlow nodded, but his gaze was evasive. Then his eyes met Jocelyn’s for the briefest moment, and…
It was enough. She saw his gratitude that she’d intervened, but she was left with more questions than she could bear.
