Page 5 of The Bastard's Iberian Bride
She tilted again and shrieked. “Don’t drop me,you nodcock.”
“Nodcock?” he mumbled into her skirts. “Reach for it. I’ve got you.”
She glanced down. His legswerelike tree trunks. His head was as thick as a boulder. He was solid.
Breath rasping, she looked around. From this better view, she could see where the slope fell off sharply. A tumble—her own or the lap desk’s—would dash either to pieces.
She bit her lip, stretched her arms to their full length, slid the case from its nest, and handed it down to a grinning Mabel.
“I won’t drop it again,” Mabel said. “I can’t speak for the gentleman and you.”
His hand was still burning her backside.
“Don’t worry,” he mumbled.
In a heartbeat, he flipped her into his arms and set her onto her feet. She staggered and caught at a sapling.
Heavens. His hair stuck out in tufts and his neck cloth had crumpled, and as he brushed his hands, his gaze pinned her again.
Her cheeks burned. He’d locked on her eyes, not her bosom or her backside, but he might as well still be gripping her bottom the way heat poured through her—now what would he think to do?
And who was he? A gentleman, on this road that ran right by the Earl of Shaldon’s estate.
He might be a villager. Or one of the Earl’s men. Either way, he might cause her trouble.
She steadied herself and took the box. “Go and get the gentleman’s hat and coat, Mabel.” She cleared her throat. “Thank you, sir, for your help. I hope we’ve not held you up too long.” Clutching the case, she charged up the slope.
A fine horse was tied to the back of the cart, where Mrs. Everly still sat grumbling.
“We’ll be off.” Paulette opened the cart’s box and swapped the writing case for a satchel, setting the bag next to Mabel in back.
“But that’s the bag with my medicinals,” Mrs. Everly said. “If it flies off—”
“Thenyousit in back and hold it,” Paulette said.
“It’s a great view from the back, missus,” Mabel said grinning.
The man’s scent wafted her way, his big hands untying his horse.
He smiled at her.
“Well, then,” she said, moving away. “Please don’t let us hold you any further.”
“I’ll accompany you.”
The warmth in his voice promised nothing but trouble, and the last thing she needed was a meddling man poking around in her business.
“No.” She walked around checking the lines and gave Horace a final stroke on his long patient nose. “We’ll be on our way soon.”
“Where are you headed?”
Mrs. Everly opened her mouth, and Paulette shot her a glare. “We’re visiting friends.” She hoisted herself into the seat. “Not a syllable,” she hissed to her companions, then said as pleasantly as she could muster, “We don’t require an escort, for we could easily walk to our destination if we have need.”
Next to her, Mrs. Everly groaned.
“And we’ve already interrupted your journey,” Paulette added.
He pulled his horse next to her. “I’m not in such a hurry I can’t offer escort.”
