Page 64 of Once More, My Darling Rogue
It hadn’t improved his day that she looked up at him with tears welling in her eyes. Lady O whom he hadn’t even thought capable of weeping. All because of a horse.
“What the devil were you thinking?” he ground out through clenched teeth. “That man was twice your size.”
“The horse couldn’t fight back. He’ll beat the next one he has, won’t he.”
Not a question, a statement, because she knew the answer. Just as he’d known when his father finally stopped hitting his mother that he would beat her again. All he could do was be grateful his father hadn’t turned his fists on him yet. As young as he was, he’d known he should have stepped in front of his mother, he should have stopped his father. The guilt over his cowardice had eaten its way into his soul. “I’ll have a word with him when he comes for his money.”
“You don’t think he knew what he was doing was wrong? If your fists don’t stop him, I don’t see how your words will.”
He peered over at her. “Have some faith in me.”
“I have complete faith in you.”
His gut tightened. He didn’t want her to have that much. Only a smidgen. It was all he deserved. She’d realize that once her memories came back.
“What were you doing at the market anyway?” she asked.
He was hoping with all that had happened, she’d have not been so inquisitive, would have just accepted his arrival in the nick of time. He considered fabricating some tale, but he was still struggling to get his anger in check after first seeing her tumbling from the wagon. Catching her the second time she went flying should have helped ease his fury except that he’d gotten a rather close view of her reddened face and the imprint of the driver’s hand. Morris, his name was. Drake didn’t know if it was his first or surname and he didn’t really care.
“I followed you,” he admitted.
“Why?”
“I feared you might find yourself in a bit of a bother. It appears my fears were well-founded. You seem to call to trouble.”
“You thought I might end up back in the Thames.”
“Morris was certainly contemplating putting you there. Do you make a habit of attacking large men?”
She gave him an impish smile—or started to. It ended with a grimace. “I don’t know, but perhaps. Brutus is grateful, though.”
“Brutus?”
“That’s what I’m going to call him, the horse.”
“He is a she.”
She blinked, glanced back, peered down, reddened. “Why, yes, I suppose you have the right of it there. Daisy, then,” she said. “You’re going to enjoy our garden, Daisy. Lots of tall grass for you to eat.”
“We can’t keep her in the garden.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s simply not done. I’ll have to make arrangements at a stable.”
“Not for a few days. Give her a chance to know she’s safe.”
He couldn’t very well deny her that request when he’d purchased the blasted horse for her. “Two days.”
“Thank you.” They walked on in silence for several moments before she said, “I made several purchases at different shops today.”
“I’m well aware. I went in and confirmed the arrangements after you left.” She had such a smug look of satisfaction, a look that had once irritated him and now only served to charm him. How could he view her in an entirely different light after only a short time? Who was truly altered here?
“You’re quite my guardian angel, aren’t you?” she asked.
He didn’t answer. He was fairly certain a day would come when she would see him more as her guardian devil.
“Icouldn’t believe it,” Marla muttered as she bustled around the kitchen. She’d come inside, wanting to tend to Phee’s injuries while Drake saw to the horse. “Just couldn’t believe it. First you running off and attacking that man. Then Mr. Darling.”
