Page 4 of The Vixen in Red
“It’s all right, Samuel,” she told him. “We survived relatively intact. Be grateful for that.” She brushed her hands down her skirt, uncertain what she should do, and sighed. By her estimate she should have been arriving at Aunt Seraphina’s soon. Now with the carriage in its current state, she wasn’t certain when she’d arrive. This day couldn’t possibly get any worse.
She glanced at the man who’d come to her aid. He stared at her. “What?” Did she have dirt or something on her face? She wiped her face on reflex.
“You seem familiar,” he said. “I didn’t mean to gawk, I was trying to discern how I might know you.”
Charlotte blew out a breath. He was in Sussex on the path to Peacehaven. There was little chance he had been in Hyde Park for the incident. Unless he was traveling from London as well. Her stomach turned. Charlotte hoped he hadn’t witnessed her act of rebellion. She didn’t want to explain to him why she’d done what she had. No one would understand except her friend, Pear. “I’m not sure I’ve ever made your acquaintance,” she told him honestly. “I’m Lady Charlotte Rossington.”
He nodded as if that suddenly made perfect sense to him, but he didn’t elaborate. That irritated her more than she’d like to admit. The gentleman didn’t offer his own name to her either. That, she found rude.
“You seem a little far from home,” he said. “Where were you heading?”
“Milady,” the driver came up to her. “The carriage cannot be repaired here. I looked at the wheel, and it is completely ruined. I’ll have to take one of the horses into a nearby town and see if I can get assistance.”
“Are we not close to Peacehaven?” she asked.
“You are,” the unknown gentleman told her. “It’s about thirty minutes in a carriage from here.”
She held back a groan. Why couldn’t they have been a little bit closer? Charlotte desperately wanted to be in her chambers at Aunt Seraphina’s cottage. She needed a bath and several hours to sleep and not do anything. “Very well,” she told the driver. “Do what you must.”
The driver turned to the gentleman. “My lord, can you see Lady Charlotte to her aunt’s care? I don’t want to leave her here alone.”
“I would be happy to assist her,” the gentleman told him. “Pray tell where does her aunt reside, so I may ensure she arrives at the correct residence.”
“Lady Seraphina Bell,” Charlotte answered. “She is the sole denizen of Sheffield cottage.”
He nodded. “I know of the place.”
That must mean he was a regular inhabitant of Peacehaven. She hadn’t been there since she was a girl. Her father had decided to let her accompany him on one of his visits to his aunt. She hadn’t minded then. The trip was quicker because it wasn’t far from Seabrook. London to Peacehaven had been hell though. “That is good,” she told him. “It’ll make things easier. Thank you for your help.”
“It’s my pleasure,” he said and held out his arm to her. “Please, have a seat in my carriage. I’ll see if your driver can help me move your trunk over.”
She allowed him to escort her to his carriage. The plush seats were more comfortable than the phaeton she’d been traveling in. Her parents must have picked the most uncomfortable carriage they owned to send her to her aunts. They probably hoped she’d suffer more and regret her choices.
The gentleman and the driver carried her trunk over and secured it. Then the man hopped into the curricle and flicked the reins. They rode in silence, and Charlotte was grateful for that. She didn’t have much to say, though she did wish she knew his name. Maybe her aunt would know…
* * *
Collin couldn’t believethat the daring lady in breeches was on her way to Peacehaven. He had suspected she was the daughter of the Marquess and Marchioness of Seabrook, and he’d been correct in that assessment. She was far lovelier in person, and he’d never been so completely at a loss for words. Somehow, he would have to find the right thing to say to start the conversation.
“How long will you be in Peacehaven?” That sounded…boring. He had definitely lost his touch when it came to properly talking to a lady.
She sighed. That couldn’t be good. “My parents have sent me away to be in seclusion. It depends on how long they wish to make me suffer for my indiscretion.”
“That sounds ominous.” The male attire had probably been too much for the marquess and marchioness. “What scandalous behavior did you partake in? Kiss a few rogues in Covent Gardens?”
She giggled. It was light and airy. He liked it and wanted to make her laugh again. “No, though that does sound a bit intriguing. Do you kiss many ladies in Covent Gardens? Is that why it was the first thing that came to mind?”
He chuckled. “I’m not that roguish,” he told her. In different circumstances he might consider it. He didn’t particularly wish to ruin her reputation and have to make an offer for her. They were not familiar with each other and he’d hate to be tied in marriage because he couldn’t keep his hands to himself. “Though I am far from innocent.” He didn’t want her to think him a dandy. Collin wanted her to like him. While they had only just met, he wished for them to become further acquainted. If she considered him not worth her time she’d likely keep her distance. He didn’t want that. “It’s smart of you to not admit to doing anything scandalous. Though you shouldn’t start with telling anyone you are here because you may have done something terrible. Be a little mysterious, or tell them you’re here to enjoy the time with your aunt.”
“I suppose that is probably the best response. Aunt Seraphina is getting on in years. It would make some sense for me to wish to be with her for a couple of months.” She frowned. “Do you believe they will actually think I’d rather skip the Season and stay in Peacehaven?”
“Would you?” he asked. “Prefer skipping the Season that is.”
“I would actually.” She wrinkled her nose. “Most of the ladies are insipid at best and empty-headed at worst.” Charlotte stopped talking and then said, “I suppose I sound judgmental.”
“Perhaps a little,” he conceded. “But I don’t disagree with your assessment. I’m not overly fond with Society gatherings myself. I avoid them as much as possible.” He actually couldn’t recall the last time he had willingly gone to atonfunction. His sister hosted the occasional dinner party he might attend, but he turned down any invitation to balls or anything similar. “So I understand why you would wish to rusticate instead.”
“I suppose that is what I am about to do,” she said. “Aunt Seraphina probably doesn’t leave her cottage much.”
