Page 10 of Her Wicked Longing
“I will accompany you. I should not like to leave the lady alone until I’m assured of her well-being.”
The driver hesitated, but James crossed his arms over his chest and scowled. “Very well, my lord.Hopin.”
James took a seat and then leaned over to lift Gillian onto his lap. The thought of not holding her made him restless and anxious. He brushed a lock of her hair from her eyes and traced his thumb over her lips, hating the fact that the only reason she was in his arms now was because she’d beeninjured.
“I’m so sorry,” he murmuredtoher.
Gillian suddenly stirred, her head swaying a little as she came around. For a long moment, he couldn’t breathe as he watched her eyelashes flutter, and then she was staring upathim.
“Wh—What happened…?” She licked her lips and reached up to touchherhead.
“Don’t—” He tried to stop her, but she winced as her hand touched the sensitive part of hertemple.
“How…” Gillian let out a little cry of pain. It tore at his heart. Seeing her hurt like this wasdestroyinghim.
“Be at ease Miss Beaumont, I saw you headed for this coach when you were dragged into the mew by that man. I wasn’t able to stop him but I found you. Would you like to sit up?” he asked softly. He didn’t want her to leave his arms, but shenodded.
“I should—it’s notproper.”
He chuckled wryly. “It’s a closed coach. No one will see. Besides, you are in distress, and I intend to give any assistanceIcan.”
“Distress?” She snorted. “I’m not some damsel, LordPembroke.”
“No, of course not.” He knew he must have upset her idea of her own feminine strength by implying she was some damsel in distress. She loved to read Gothic novels but clearly had no desire to live in one. He understood. Letty would have struck him with one of her fine fawn gloves if he dared to imply she was in need ofrescuing.
Gillian slid off his lap and sat beside him, delicately feeling the area around her reddened templeagain.
“What was that man after? He hit you, but he left your reticule behind and didn’t seem to want to…” He swallowed down the wordforce. That was a frightening subject for ladies, and he didn’t want tofrightenher.
“It was the letter he was after. It was important.” She sighed, her eyesgrave.
“The letter? He hasitnow?”
She nodded. “Unfortunately, yes. He took it. But he won’t learn much. I read it, and that’s all that matters.” Her fingers trailed over her torn skirts where the man had likelygrabbedher.
“What was in the letter, MissBeaumont?”
“I wish I could tell you, but it’s not my secret toshare.”
James gaped. “Whatever was in that letter almost got you killed, and yet you won’ttellme?”
She reached out, touching his knee, her eyes pleadingwithhim.
“I wish I could, but I mustn’t. I’m so verysorry.”
It was madness. What secret could be so dangerous that a gentle-born lady would be unable totellhim?
“Could you take me to the Sheridan townhouse? I must speak with a friendthere.”
“Lord Sheridan’s townhouse? Very well.” James sighed and opened the window of the coach door and gave the driver theaddress.
Once he settled back in his seat, he watched her, careful not to miss her restless shifting as flashes of pain crossed her eyes when she moved her head acertainway.
“Stop moving so much, Miss Beaumont. You likely sprained your neck inthefall.”
“Sprained my neck?” She rubbed her neck but couldn’t seem to reach the spot that caused herdiscomfort.
“Would you allow me to help?” he asked gently. He had no desire to take advantage of her, even if he was a rogue most days. He couldn’t stand to see this captivating creatureinpain.
