Page 11 of Boxing With My Duke
“I wish I had known you back then.”
“Trust me, you would have hated me. I most likely would have put a snake down the back of your dress.”
“I disagree. Something tells me you would have watched out for me.” Tears crested her eyes. “Thank you for saving Riggs. I’ll sleep in the barn with him at the inn and not let him be any trouble.” She swiped at a stray tear.
“You’ll do no such thing,” he said, restraining himself from taking her in his arms and kissing her tears away. Holy Hell! What was happening to him? Get ahold of yourself, man! He was acting like a lovesick fool. “The inn will allow him to sleep in your room,” he croaked out. “I’ll see to that.”
They arrived back at the carriage to the oohs and ahs of Morris, Brandon, and Yates.
“I seen a Brittany once,” Morris said. “Softest fur I’ve ever felt on a dog, milady. Someone will be sorry they left this ’un behind.”
“I simply couldn’t ignore his cries.” She looked up at Carlton and gave a wry smile. “I’m so glad he wasn’t a fox. Thanks to the duke, we were able to save this little one,” she said, giving Carlton another soft smile.
“Yes, well, let’s try to get to the inn before dawn, shall we?”
“I’ve never had a dog,” Catherine murmured a few minutes later when they were back on the road. “But I’ve always wanted one. I found one once, but after I nursed it back to health, a woman came to our home and claimed it. It was a small spaniel that had jumped from her carriage and disappeared. The animal was full of bites and burrs when I found it. But when he heard his mistress’ voice, he went tearing to the door. There was nothing to be done but return him.”
“Yes, but you took care of it and had you not, it may have perished. Owls, eagles, and hawks are gruesome predators of small dogs and cats. I’ve seen them swoop down and carry them off in a matter of seconds.” He leaned over and rubbed Riggs’ nose. “Something tells me you won’t lose this one.”
Catherine leaned down and kissed the dog on the nose. “I hope not.” She smiled and met his gaze across the carriage. “I’m already falling in love with him.”
His chest constricted at her words and the tender look on her face. What would it be like to hear her say those words to him?
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“Er— No. I was just thinking about a hot meal and a warm bed.”
“Well, I’m thinking what a good man you are.”
“Thank you, but let’s not let the world know. I have a reputation to uphold.”
They both laughed. Hers was a rich laugh. For the moment, Carlton forgot why they were on the road, stuck in a carriage that had begun to feel cramped. Instead, he focused on the rich, throaty sound of her laughter and wished he knew something to say to keep her laughing.
“Your secret’s safe with me, Your Grace,” she smiled as she cuddled the sleeping puppy close to her chest.
Carlton’s chest did that funny thing again. Double damn! He needed to keep his mind focused on the matter at hand, finding Edward and Serafina and preventing them from making the biggest mistake of their lives. And most importantly, he needed to stop thinking about Catherine’s sweet smile and throaty laugh.
Chapter 5
Late evening ~ Three days later
Catherine stared out the coach window at the passing scenery. A strange melancholy had come over her as they neared their destination.
Each day with the duke had been a new adventure. Carlton was the most fascinating man she’d ever met. A man who didn’t care what Society thought and lived by his own code. One might think such a man to be selfish and self-serving, but Carlton had surprised her at every turn. He was patient, kind, and thoughtful, and he made her laugh at her own foibles.
Carlton was knowledgeable and multi-faceted—at ease conversing on any topic, from managing a gentleman’s club to maintaining an estate to the purpose of pugilism to literature and philosophy to humorous stories about his many escapades in his youth. Not once did they discuss any mundane Society topics, such as the weather.
Catherine enjoyed his company, and he seemed to enjoy hers as well, asking about her childhood, teasing her into a smile when she fretted about Edward and Serafina, engaging in lively debates about social mores. He’d even read to her from Gulliver’s Travels, his deep, rich voice making the story come alive. Nor did he ever shy away from controversy; instead, he handled every challenge with calm, honesty, and directness.
Riggs clearly adored him, and Catherine had always believed dogs to be good barometers of a person’s personality. The pup enjoyed playing with Carlton before snuggling in the cozy bed the duke had fashioned for him at her feet. On one particularly dark and dreary morning as they traveled through heavy rain, she’d fallen asleep with Riggs in her lap and awoke cuddled against Carlton’s chest as he soothed the whimpering pup. Tears had welled in her eyes at his thoughtfulness. When the farrier pronounced Riggs’ bones free of breaks, she felt a wave of relief. But the torn muscles and lacerated skin would take a while to heal. Catherine had been determined in her care of the pup. She’d cleansed, medicated, and re-wrapped his wound twice a day, and Carlton had assisted her each time. Thanks to Carlton’s help, Rigg’s eyes were brighter, and he had begun testing his weight on his injured leg.
Catherine had never spent so much time with a man other than her father and brothers. And she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to spend every day of the rest of her life with Carlton. She was positive it would never be dull. She was also positive it would be exciting, invigorating, and full of passion. That was the man Carlton was.
Stop it, you silly goose! Carlton was a sophisticated man who no doubt entertained many a mistress on that notorious third floor of his club. She doubted he was interested in marriage in the foreseeable future, and certainly not with someone like her.
“We should arrive in Gretna Green tomorrow,” Carlton said, pulling her from her thoughts. “The horses are exhausted and damn if I’m not as well. We’ll be stopping at a comfortable inn for the night. The innkeeper and his wife are charming hosts, and the food is excellent. I’m certain you’ll have a most enjoyable stay.” Carlton grinned.
Catherine could not help but smile back. She liked the way he handled things. He informed her about every part of their travel, making her feel special. “That sounds wonderful,” Catherine said with a sigh. “Although, I am concerned that we’ve yet to encounter Serafina and Edward. They couldn’t have been that much farther ahead of us.”
