Page 62 of His Duchess in Disguise
“Hmmm.” Leo eyed her for a moment. “You are quite prickly in the morning. You were far more compliant last night.”
“Last night, I was far too fatigued to think. This morning, I’m sufficiently sharp enough to worry a little about our future.”
She said our future.Leo restrained himself from grinning.
“I will take that under advisement, Miss Hoskins. Must I always ask? Because if that were so, it would make planning surprises de…uh, deucedly difficult.”
“Well,” Emma drew the word out, thinking. “Perhaps not for everything. Perhaps you could bring things up in casual conversation or recall things I’ve mentioned enjoying the way you did with the book.”
“So, surprises are not out of the question.”
“I do like nice surprises, Leo. I had so very much longed to finish reading the book, and it is good fun to share it with everyone.”
“I am glad you think so. Your reading helps while away the tedious miles. I am sorry that we have to resort to making such a journey, but time is of the essence.”
“I understand. And I am doubly grateful for the book, else the four of us would have to fall back upon conversation and word games for the entire way.”
Leo laughed. “So very true. And no matter how well you might like someone, by the time you have been shut up with them in a box on wheels for many endless hours, you are quite ready for a change. Although. . .”
There came a firm tap on the door, and the innkeeper entered. “Ah, there you are, Your Grace, and your lady, too. Did I not tell you that the widow sets a fine breakfast table? Your coachman says to tell you that he will have the team set to within the hour and that your household should be making ready to depart.”
“Excellent! Emma, my dear, are all your things ready?”
“Quite, Leo. Mary was up at first light and packed us up as soon as I was dressed. Perhaps we should put together a light lunch?”
“Already taken care of. The tavern keeper put together a box for us, and it will be in the carriage.” Leo held out his hand to Emma. “Are you ready for this mad adventure?” He looked at her intensely, trying to put extra meaning into his words, what he would have given to be able to consign both the maid and his secretary to a different conveyance!
Emma seemed to get the message, for she put her hand in his and said, “I am ready, Leo. For this mad adventure, and perhaps many more.”
“My Lady!” He bowed low over her hand. “You delight my heart!”
Emma gulped down the last of her tea, and bundled two scones in her handkerchief, and smiled wickedly at him as if daring him to scold her. She thrust the bundle into a side slit in her skirt, no doubt into a pocket.
“Better safe than sorry, Your Grace. No journey should begin without provisions.”
He laughed, and they scampered out to the carriage like children, leaving Hamilton and Mary to see to the final loading up.
At the carriage, Emma clung to Leo for a moment. “Is this real?” she asked. “Will I wake up and discover that it was all a dream?”
“It is very real, Emma. And I am becoming more pleased with this choice by the moment.”
“Truly?”
“Truly.” He bent and kissed her lightly on the lips, intending only to reassure her. But when she shyly responded by standing on tiptoe and leaning into the kiss, it became more ardent.I am, indeed, becoming more pleased by the moment. Where or how could I have found anyone better?He became lost in the kiss, the world and all its worries shut out for the moment.
Unfortunately, a moment was all they were allowed. Hamilton cleared his throat loudly, then coughed. Leo held Emma in his arms, feeling the lithe warmth of her, lifted his head and scowled at his secretary.
“A thousand pardons, but we are ready for departure, Your Grace,” Hamilton said.
Emma pulled away slightly. Leo released her from his arms and handed her up into the carriage, taking the seat next to her. Hamilton raised his eyebrows at him as he entered the coach, but Leo looked daggers right back, and Hamilton didn’t say anything.
As soon as Mary boarded with Rags, the carriage gave a lurch, and they were off again, the vehicle gently swaying as it picked up speed. The horses were fresh, and it was not above three hours before they approached Chitterne Brook.
“There is a beautiful old willow near a tributary to the Chitterne. We’ll take a lunch break here,” Leo said, “and rest the horses for an hour.”
Emma leaned against his shoulder. “That sounds wonderful. I declare I am about to sink straight through these cushions. Perhaps, Your Grace, if we are to wed again, we might plan it a little better? While I find the prospect increasingly pleasant, this journey is growing tedious.”
Leo laughed boldly kissing her the top of her head, ignoring the twin disapproving glances from maid and secretary. “I promise that if we wed again, we shall do it conveniently close to home. I think we must be stopping now, and you will have a chance to get out and take Rags for a walk.”
