Wreck and Ruin (Regency Rendezvous Book 6)
Page 22
Joseph thought of the crossroads he had left behind a few miles ago, and wondered if he rode back there, would she tell him which of the three roads leading off it led in the direction of whence she’d come.
“Your father wants you to marry a wealthy older man?” Joseph said, giving Monty his head as he settled Miss Higglesworth into his arms more comfortably. She smelled nice, something soft and subtle. Not being a flower person, he had no idea what it was. His sister would know; she knew everything about flora and fauna.
“No.”
He looked at the bonnet. What color hair and eyes did she have? There was something in his mind, a recognition that he could not quite call forth. He knew this woman... or something about her reminded him of another.
“Your sister stole your beau and you will never forgive her, nor will you attend the wedding?”
“No. As I have stated, my lord, I am moving to my next position.”
It was a strange circumstance that just minutes ago he had been pondering his problems alone, yet now he had this woman in his arms, he was more than happy pondering hers.
“I would like you to let me down here, my lord. Please.”
“No, I cannot do that.”
“Then will you drop me at the next inn?”
“There is no inn nearby.”
Her spine was rigid, attempting not touch his chest.
“I want to take you back to your home, Miss Higglesworth. Had I not come along, someone with far more nefarious intentions may have.” Now he had her before him, Joseph wondered what he was to do with her if she did not tell him where she came from.
“I do not have a home or family. I have my employment, my lord, as I believe I have already mentioned. I need to make my way to the village of Spindle with some expediency. So if you will not put me down here, then will you do so in a place that will help me achieve that?”
“And what is your employment?”
“I-I am a governess.” She wriggled again, her bottom brushing his breeches. And whilst he still did not have a clear picture of what she looked like, he was certainly very aware of the fact that her small bottom was deliciously rounded. Her hesitation also suggested she was not telling the entire truth.
“And do you enjoy this occupation, because to my mind you seem very young to have been in the position overlong.”
“It is most rewarding,” she said in a stiff voice.
“And who are you running from, Miss Higglesworth?” he said, hoping to catch her off guard.
“It matters not what I run from, my lord, only that I have a place to run to, surely?”
“Are you one of those devilishly well-read females who will argue every point and outwit a poor simpleminded man with words?”
“It is my fondest wish to be just such a woman.”
“Here’s the thing, Miss Higglesworth. If indeed you are going to Spindle, it will take you at least two, perhaps three hours on foot.”
“I—ah... I like walking.”
“As do I. However, not in the dark when the temperatures are cold enough to freeze a person to the road. Now, I am approximately one hour from my home, where I shall soon be knee-deep in brothers. I will take you there if you wish it, and then to Spindle in the morning, which is the next village from mine. Or I will return you to wherever you came. I will not, however, simply drop you on the roadside at this hour.”
“Does a stage run from your village, my lord?”
“Yes.”
“If you will drop me there, then, I shall wait to catch the stage in the morning to Spindle.”
“Miss Higglesworth, it is due to snow. I am cold, and if you force me to drop you in Stonleigh, I will be colder, as I will have to wait with you until the stage comes, because I doubt anyone in the village will be awake to accommodate you at such an hour.”
“I wish you would simply just agree to my request,” she muttered.
“As my siblings will attest, I never simply agree.”
“But I am a servant.” Exasperation was evident in her tone.
“And therefore not worthy of my time or effort?”
He could almost hear her thinking as Monty walked slowly down the road for several steps.
“Yes. I doubt you involve yourself in each of your servants’ lives.”
“If I found them walking about in the early hours of the morning, I may.” Joseph heard the snap of her teeth as he finished talking.
“I will find lodgings for what is left of the night.”
“I doubt that very much, and have already explained why.”
“I will,” she vowed. “People come and go at all times of the night.”
“Very well, I will see you to Stonleigh, and there you may catch the stage.”
“I would rather you let me down now.”
“You, Miss Higglesworth, are ungrateful.”
The silence stretched.
“If you will drop me at Stonleigh, then I shall accept your offer, my lord. Although it does not sit well.”
“But I offer you my gratitude that I am not to spend several more hours on this cold road,” Joseph added.
Her spine stiffened, and then softened. “Forgive me for my rudeness. I am of course grateful, it is merely that I have no wish to inconvenience you further, and this is a highly irregular situation.”
“No inconvenience at all,” Joseph replied in the same polite tone. This woman was no servant, he’d stake Monty on that. He also believed she was not intimidated by his title, just nervous that he, of all people, had chanced upon her. He wondered again who she was.
“Perhaps you could stop, and I will climb on behind to offer you more comfort, my lord?”
“I am comfortable, but thank you for your consideration. However, as my horse has the added burden of carrying both you and your plump companion, Miss Higglesworth, he will need to take at least one brief stop before we complete our journey.”
“I’m not sure why you are intent on abusing poor, sweet little Daisy, when she is but a helpless animal who cannot defend herself.”
Joseph looked around Miss Higglesworth at her ugly pet.
“What possessed you to own such an unfortunate creature? Begging your pardon if my words upset you,” Joseph added.
“I... ah, well as to that, she actually found her way into following me when I left.”
Joseph laughed, the sound loud in the still night air. “You stole the ugliest dog in Christendom, when you could have had a silver tea service, or something of far more value?”
“I would never steal from a person!” She sounded genuinely outraged, which assured him his passenger had not established a career as a thief.
“Will you not give me your first name, Miss Higglesworth? Considering our circumstances and the fact that you are to ride between my thighs for the next hour, I am sure we can move past the usual restrictions?”
She stiffened and then wriggled, and Joseph bit back a moan as her bottom brushed his groin once more.
“But what’s in a name, my lord, when after this ride we shall never see each other again?”
“A great deal, I should imagine, considering the surname you were given. My hope is that your first name has a better ring to it.”
“You insult me, sir!”
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More Regency Rendezvous Romances
The Devil of Montlaine
The Blue Drawing Room
The Archaeologist’s Daughter
Ice and Embers
The Elusive Lady Winston
Wreck and Ruin
The Earl’s Encounter
P.S. I Loathe You
Romancing the Rogue
The Stablemaster’s Daughter
The Enigma of a Widow
A Rake Like No Other
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About the Author
Amy Corwin is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America and recently joined Mystery Writers of America. She writes historical and cozy mysteries with a touch of romance, as well as paranormal romances. To be truthful, most of her books include a bit of murder and mayhem since she discovered that killing off at least one character is a highly effective way to make the remaining ones toe the plot line.
Her books include the historical mysteries, Regency romances, paranormal romances and mysteries.
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