He opened his eyes and found her staring down at him. Reed couldn’t help but curl his fingers around her hips and draw her close. He pressed his head against her stomach and she smoothed his hair with both hands.
“You know, Orelia, you and I are not so different.”
She laughed.
Chapter Ten
“Surely your servants suspect something?” Orelia pressed.
Reed laughed and aided her onto the simple pony and trap. The seat was hard beneath her rear and much of it was worn. They’d collected it from a farm, some distance from the house, all in the name of keeping his identity a secret.
“They tend to believe I’m doing something very wicked whenever I sneak away.”
She pressed her lips together. “Somehow I believe there were times when you were,” she murmured. “What of your brother?”
“He knows enough. Noah is excellent at keeping secrets.” He climbed up next to her and the trap wobbled.
She gripped the rail beside her. “Are you sure this is safe?”
“Absolutely.”
Night began to fall on them, the skies turning dusky and grey. Apprehension thrummed through her stomach and couldn’t even be defeated by the knowledge of sitting so close to Reed. Last night had been a strange moment. She’d gained some measure of him, she suspected, and liked what she’d discovered far too much.
Reed gave the reins a tug and the horse started slowly down the winding lane. The hedgerow brushed her sleeve. “These lanes are so tight!”
“They’re old lanes. Seldom used really. They were not really designed for vehicles.”
They went over a rut and she gripped the seat as it flung her against him. “I suppose at least if I fall, I shall have a nice hedge to cushion me.”
He chuckled. “You shan’t be falling anywhere. I will not allow it.”
Orelia drew in a breath before releasing it slowly. How odd it was to think that she had touched her lips to this man’s—a man so rich that he could probably feed her entire community for life. And to think that she’d been touching him, soothing him last night. Reed, of all people. Why should he need her comfort? Yet, she had wanted to give it to him. He was upon a crossroads in life like her. They were both adrift from their previous path with little clue as to what to do next.
Of course, Reed would have to settle down to his duties. Rich men like him had no choice. She had plenty of choice thanks to what he would pay her. More than she had previous, anyway. Now all she needed to do was decide what to do with her new-found wealth.
“We should have left earlier,” she muttered with the skies seeming to close in about her.
She’d spent much time on the road with her mother, but they seldom traveled after dark, not with the risk of coming off the road or meeting highwaymen.
“All will be well. Unfortunately, I could not get away from my meeting with the estate manager.”
No, and she had been tucked upstairs in the house, hiding away from the glares of the servants and ensuring she did not meet any of Reed’s visitors. Not that he had asked her to, but what else could she do? Linger around and expect people to be polite to her. Whilst Reed seemed oblivious to her circumstances, even the servants were not. She was a dirty gypsy to them and no pretty gown would change that.
“Not to worry, the town is but four miles away. It shan’t take us long.”
She failed to respond. So much in her mind was awhirl. Orelia did not like it one bit. In truth, she had never had so much time to simply think. Her life had been one of hard work and survival. Her biggest worry had been where their next meal was coming from. Now she had to wonder if he would kiss her again or what she would do with one hundred pounds. All this thinking and not doing was rather exhausting.
They continued in silence. Why he was quiet, she didn’t know. Estate worries perhaps or planning how they were going to find the men. It was strange how quickly she had grown used to hearing him talk. She found herself wanting to hear more of his life. Last night had offered a glimpse and she wanted more.
“What—”
The trap jerked to a halt and tilted abruptly. A strong arm banded around her waist when she tumbled to one side, her arm becoming lost in the hedgerow. Reed pulled her into him and ensured she was upright before clambering down.
“Damn.” He took off his cap and pushed a hand through his hair. “Looks like a wheel has gone.”
“I knew it was not safe,” she declared and immediately clapped a hand over her mouth.
“Yes, thank you for that, Orelia.” He gave her a stern look, but amusement tinged his lips.
He offered her a hand to help her down. She winced. Apparently her knee had taken the brunt of the crash. “Sorry, that was not at all helpful.”
“No, it was not.” He peered back up the lane. “There will be no fixing it and we are closer to town than to the abbey.”
Moving to unhook the horse, he nodded in the direction of the dim glow of lamplight on the horizon. “It will only take an hour or so.”
She nodded but her stomach bunched. It was bad enough being on wagon at night, but on foot...? It would be so easy to attack them and leave them for dead. And her knee still hurt.
Reed coaxed the horse along and nodded to the animal. “Do you wish to ride? I’d imagine you would have no troubles without a sidesaddle.”
She did not know whether to be offended that he did not expect her to ride like a lady but as he was correct, she simply smiled. “You would be right. I’ve never ridden sidesaddle. But I would rather walk I think. I’d rather have sore feet than a sore bottom.”
He chuckled. “Oh yes, we certainly cannot have that. Come then, we had better make haste. I would rather not be in the dark for any longer than we have to be.”
She nodded quickly and followed beside him whilst he led the pony along.
“Orelia?”
“Yes.”
“Do not be afraid, I will not let anything happen to you.”
“Do I look afraid?”
He paused to stare at her. His lips slanted. “I think the only time I’ve seen you look afraid was when you stepped into my home.”
Orelia lifted her chin. “I was not afraid.”
“If you say so.”
“I was not!” she protested.
“Orelia, you are the strongest woman I’ve ever met. Do not think that because you were a little afraid very briefly that it makes me think any different.”
She drew in a long breath and released it. Was she strong? She wasn’t so sure. Life threw many obstacles in her way and she fought to overcome them. Sometimes, though, she wondered when that obstacle would be so big that it would defeat her. It would happen soon, surely? Being a Romani would make it a certainty. Something would come in her way as she strove to create a future for herself. She only hoped her strength could carry her through once more.
They walked silently for several minutes, following the winding lane. The pain in her leg was not so severe, but it did make her wince. Being several miles still from the town, she did not much look forward to this walk. Something tickled her leg. Something damp, she realized.
“Reed, wait.” He stilled when she stopped to lift her skirts. She grimaced at the sight of a small stream of blood trickling down her leg. Lifting her skirts higher, she found the source. A rather frightful gash upon her knee. Some of the skin had lifted away and provided a gruesome sight.
“Christ.” Reed dropped down in front of her and brandished a handkerchief.
“It looks worse than it is.” He pressed the cotton to her knee and she hissed.
“You should have said something.”
“It was only a graze. I must have bashed it on the cart when it came to a stop. I did not think I’d done much damage.”
He eyed her. “I know I said I admire your strength, Orelia, but there was no need for you to try to prove it to me. You should have told me.”
She remained quiet, teeth gritted while he dabbed at the wound. She
was not used to telling people of her woes. For most of her life it had been her and her mother, and they dealt with things alone. And when her mother had fallen prey to alcohol, she handled things truly alone.
Reed undid his necktie and proceeded to bind it around her wound.
“Ouch.” The word slipped from her lips before she could prevent it. The pressure upon her knee was an odd mixture of relief and burning pain.
“Forgive me.” He tightened the cloth then stood. “Can you walk?”
“I was walking was I not? What do you intend to do? Throw me over your shoulder like a grain sack?”
He chuckled. “If I had to.” He held out an arm. “At least lean on me a little. Ease some of the burden on your knee.”
“I am not so fragile.”
“Just take my arm, Orelia.”
He said it so wearily that she did as she was told. It brought her close to his side. Though they were dressed as relatively poor folk—well, she looked poor, Reed only moderately so—she could not help remind herself that she was on the arm of a duke. What would it be like to be wearing one of those expensive gowns while he was in his best clothing walking down the stairs of the abbey to a crowd of rich people?
Terrifying most likely but in her imagination, she had all the courage she needed to face those sorts of people.
“If we head toward the main road, we shall likely come upon someone. It will take us a mile out, but it will be quicker.”
“Do you really think someone will stop for us?”
“Why not?”
The image of a beautiful gown vanished as she glanced down to look at her drab brown wool. “Because I am dressed like this and you are only just respectable. Even less so with me on your arm.”
“You underestimate the impact of my charm.”
“You overestimate it. No one shall give you long enough to utter a word upon seeing me.”
“Have a little faith, Orelia.”
They continued along the road for a while longer before branching off toward the main road. This was wider with stones marking the directions. Ahead the path sloped down toward the next rise where it then vanished on the horizon. Somewhere over it would be the town.
Grooves were dug deeply into the ground, making it uneven and hard for her to walk. However, that at least meant it was well-used and they were likely to come upon travelers. She still doubted anyone would stop for them, not when there was a risk of highwaymen but if Reed believed he could get them a ride, she would, as he had commanded, ‘have a little faith.’
Soon her faith was repaid by the sound of horse hooves and carriage wheels behind them. Reed tugged her to one side and removed his hat before lifting a hand. She noted that he’d instantly adopted a charming facade, his mouth pulled into a pleasant smile, his posture unthreatening and welcoming.
The driver flicked a glance their way and a face pressed against the window of the closed carriage. Orelia watched it pass, muscles tense with expectancy.
The carriage continued.
“Damn.”
She only gave him a look, knowing full well there was no need to remind him she’d told him so. The rattle of wheels faded into the distance.
“Come, let’s keep moving. We shall end up out here in the dark at this rate.”
He nodded. “Yes, I suppose we must. I don’t much like you walking with your knee like that, though.”
And she knew she was slowing their pace. Each time she moved her knee, the graze protested, sending burning pain through the joint.
They stilled again at the sound of another approaching carriage. She glanced at Reed, his charming expression back in place and shook her head.
“Give me your jacket.”
“What?”
“Give me it!” she demanded and tugged at the lapels.
He hauled it off and she bundled it up then shoved it up her gown. A fierce scowl marred his brow when she forced it into a rounded shape. The carriage neared, and she waited until the passengers would be able to see her before flinging herself across Reed’s arms. He gave an oof sound and fumbled to hold her as she lay across his arms, eyes closed.
From behind her closed lids, she heard the carriage roll past then slow down. The creak of a window. Then the shout of a man. “I say, is everything well?”
Reed hesitated. “Um...”
“Your wife fainted,” Orelia hissed at him.
“Um. My wife appears to have fallen into a fainting fit.”
“Goodness,” said the man.
“Oh dear me. Eldon, do something,” a woman said.
Orelia cracked open one eye, just a tad and spotted the woman’s head hanging out of the carriage. They were wealthy by the looks of it. Not Reed wealthy, but well off enough to be sure. Not too fine that they would dismiss people in need, though. Orelia found when people were overly rich they did not care much for others at all. Reed seemed to be the exception.
She snapped shut her eyes when Reed lifted her fully into his hold and took the few steps toward the carriage. “Our mare hurt herself a few miles back and we’ve been walking since. As you can see, my wife is in a delicate condition.”
She fluttered open her eyes and did a show of being confused. “Oh dear, what happened?”
Reed lowered her carefully to the ground and she hung on him whilst fanning her face.
“You fainted, my dear.”
She rubbed a hand across her belly and peered at the gawping couple. “Goodness, all that walking must have taken its toll. I hope I did not give you a fright,” she said to the strangers.
The man shook his head and ran his gaze over her clothing. A little disdain flickered in his eyes and he went to duck back into the carriage. “Ouch.”
His wife glared at him while he rubbed his arm. “Where are you travelling to?”
“Just into town.” Orelia smiled sadly. “I would not be travelling in such a condition, but my mother is desperately ill. I fear she shall not last much longer.” Even a few tears managed to well in her eyes. She hoped Reed noticed. He wasn’t the only one who could put on an act.
“Well, you must travel with us,” the woman declared. “It is far too long a journey for you.”
“Excellent,” declared Reed.
“Oh no, we could not take advantage,” Orelia clasped Reed’s arm.
“You must, I insist,” the woman said firmly.
The husband reluctantly pushed open the door and flicked down the steps. Reed handed Orelia up and she settled next to the woman.
She offered the stranger a warm smile. “Thank Goodness for the charity of strangers.”
She turned her smile upon Reed and spotted the tiny smirk dancing on his lips. She also noticed admiration sparking in his eyes. He rather liked that she could play his game, she suspected.
The journey passed quickly enough, with a few questions as to how they ended up on the path so late at night. Reed allowed Orelia to take the lead and answer Mrs. Corbitt’s questions. The husband simply glowered at Reed, even as Reed flashed him a smile. Orelia thought she put on quite the performance, describing how their carriage had broken and how excited they were for the baby to arrive but oh dear, her poor mother was sick and thank goodness there were kind people like the Corbitts in the world.
By the time they were deposited in Portsmouth, not far from the inn, Mrs. Corbitt had all but adopted Orelia as her daughter. A flush of guilt ran through her. She was a genuinely kind woman and much as she had not enjoyed taking advantage of those who were good people in need of some comfort through her ‘readings’, the pleasure of her performance waned when the woman stuck her head out of the carriage and wished her and the baby all the best.
Orelia eyed the carriage as it ran across the dirt street. A few lamps lit the way, catching on the woman’s beaming face before it turned a tight corner past a cobbler’s shop.
“What is it?” Reed asked.
She sighed. “Poor woman.”
He shook his head and grinned at her. “O
relia, you were marvelous.”
“That is all very easy for you to say. You’re used to lying.”
“And you are not?”
“Well, it’s not the same,” she insisted, gnawing on her bottom lip.
“You caused no harm.” He cupped her face in his hands and lifted her chin. “You got us here safely, Orelia. You did a marvelous job.”
The warm praise and the boyish grin on his face eased the guilt inside her. It was true. The Corbitts had been travelling this way anyway. They had made little difference to the husband and wife’s journey. In all likelihood, having Reed made it safer. She’d wager few highwaymen would want to run across Reed on a dark night.
She glanced into his eyes and saw the pride sparkling there. It was a wonderful feeling. She could not help but return his grin. It was utterly infectious. Of course, that was just Reed. Infectious. In the most charming, enjoyable way.
“Well done, my girl,” he said. “You are a wonderful liar.”
How such words could summon up a bubble of warmth inside of her, she did not know. However, they were just about the first kind words anyone had ever said to her, so she absorbed them. It was likely in years to come, she would remember the day a handsome duke told her such things.
He closed the gap before she had quite registered him moving closer. He captured her with his gaze. Her heart picked up pace, pounding restlessly against her chest. She knew what was to come. Held her breath in anticipation. Already, she had begun to recognize that look in his eyes. His mouth sealed across hers swiftly. His hands lifted her face higher, giving him the perfect angle to kiss her firmly.
A tiny moan issued from her at the feel of his lips upon hers. When he moved away, it took all she had not to release another of disappointment. He smiled softly, his gaze holding hers while he kept her face cradled in his palms.
“I have to wonder, Orelia, if you are so talented at telling lies, what lies do you tell me?”
Orelia laughed. As if she could tell him a single lie. Reed had seen through her from the beginning and with each passing day, was burrowing deeper under her skin. He likely already knew her better than anyone.
A Rake for All Seasons: A Regency and Victorian Romance Boxset Page 8