“That doesn’t make me feel much better.” Her laugh was shaky.
“Let’s try to go back to sleep. We need to be ready to go early, remember? Staying awake and worrying about how this would appear to society isn’t a good way to spend our time.”
“You’re right, as always.” She stretched out. “Come on then. We’ve already shared this bed for a while. No harm in continuing to do so.”
Laurence wanted to tell her just how dangerous it was for them to continue to share the bed, but he didn’t want to scare her. He only hoped he could restrain himself from taking her into his arms and kissing her until she was senseless.
Chapter Seventeen
Hetty could scarce believe it when she woke up almost on top of Laurence. She’d been sleeping so soundly she forgot he’d be coming back to the room and there would be the dilemma of where they would each rest.
Once he returned to her side, she tried to go back to sleep, but it was difficult. All she could focus on was his nearness and body heat. In the recent past, she’d become so aware of what kind of heat emanated from the various people she’d been around, she was a bit stunned to realize he had so much himself. How had she not noticed that before? After all, they’d been beside each other in the carriage for hours on end. She should have known before now.
He was also so much larger now that he was prone on his stomach. His head was turned away from hers and his breathing shallow. She wished she knew if he was asleep or was as aware of her beside him as she was of him.
Finally giving up on where those thoughts led, she turned her back to him and tried to turn off her mind. Oh how she wanted him to hold her and kiss her, but she knew that was never going to happen. It was clear, no matter how kind he tried to be, that he thought of her as someone who was barely tolerable.
Once her father was rescued, she knew Laurence would return to his former ways of being polite and distant. Somehow, she figured, he couldn’t wait to have that happen. After all, he was very eager that they leave before dawn.
It came to her then. Of course. Why hadn’t she seen it before? He wanted them out of the inn early so the others who were staying there wouldn’t see them. He didn’t want his reputation sullied as then he’d have to wed her.
Tears escaped her eyes. She tried to cry silently so as not to alert him to her distress.
He slept on, oblivious.
In what seemed to be less than an hour, Laurence rolled into a sitting position and rose. He walked to the window again and pulled the curtain aside. Hetty watched him from under half-closed eyelids.
His state of dishabille made her warm all over. He’d always been so meticulously dressed, but his shirt hanging out from his breeches moved her in a way she’d never experienced before.
“Hetty?” Laurence whispered.
She wouldn’t pretend to be asleep much as she wanted to have him come and shake her awake. “Yes. Is it time to go?”
“I think so. I’m going to put on my clothes and use the privy. As soon as I’m gone, get yourself ready and come to the stables. I’ll be there with the driver and horses.”
“Alone? You want me to come down alone?” Fear caught in her throat. What if someone accosted her?
“You’ll be fine. No one should be stirring. In your hat and breeches, you’ll merely be taken for a servant and no one will even try to speak to you.”
He pulled on his boots and tied his cravat. “Come right down as soon as you can.”
After he took his leave, Hetty stood and stretched. Getting back into that carriage for another long day was not something she was looking forward to, but she knew she must. If they were going to catch up to her father, they had to move along.
Not for the first time, she regretted her impulse to follow Laurence. She should have stayed home like every other sensible female would have done. Why she didn’t recognize her limitations like all the girls of her acquaintance did was a mystery to her. Jane Gresham and Cassandra Spencer would never find themselves in such a situation as this.
Shrugging off her stupidity, Hetty finished getting ready and grabbing her bag, left the room.
On her way down the stairs, she saw a woman of her acquaintance on the bottom riser. Seeing no way to retreat from her place on one of the middle risers, Hetty kept her forward momentum, turning her head so as not to be recognized.
The woman glided past her as if she were invisible. Since Hetty spent a lot of time feeling invisible to the man she loved, she didn’t let it bother her that this woman ignored her. Besides, it was better to be treated as insignificant in the circumstances.
Once she arrived at the bottom of the stairs, she made haste to leave by the side door. She needed to use the privy before she met Laurence and the driver.
It was still too dark outside to see well and she almost tripped over a root on her way to the stable area.
Grateful to finally make it, she stopped short when she heard Laurence speaking to the coachman. “And we’ll want to be sure she doesn’t get out once we arrive.”
What was this about? She wanted to ask immediately, but fearing Laurence could choose to leave her there on her own if she caused further problems to him, she vowed to wait until they were a few miles down the road to inquire.
If he thought she was going to sit idly by while he rescued her father, he was mistaken. He wouldn’t be able to do it alone and she wanted to be there to offer her assistance. Besides, what if Father were injured? He’d need someone to tend to him.
Laurence turned as if somehow alerted to her presence.
Was that a guilty look that passed over his face?
“Are you ready to go?”
She nodded and stepped past him to the carriage.
He leaned in and whispered, “I don’t see anyone about so please allow me to hand you in.”
“Nonsense, someone could be watching out a window. I’ve quite gotten used to aiding myself to board.” She knew she sounded miffed, but she was out of sorts after hearing his plans to make her stay behind when the rescue took place.
When they were on the road, Laurence handed her a serviette. “Here’s something to break your fast. I got these from the cook.”
She opened the small package and ate the bread contained inside. He ate his own at the same time.
“You seem quiet this morning. Are you still tired?” Laurence peered at her as if concerned for her well-being.
Thinking it best to stay quiet a bit longer over what she’d overheard, she said, “Yes. I guess I didn’t get much rest after we woke earlier.”
“I deeply apologize that we had to share the same quarters. I hope your sensibilities weren’t offended.”
“On the contrary, Mr. Fortescue. You behaved with the utmost decorum and grace. I have no complaints as relates to my treatment.”
“So, we’re back to the formalities of address now, are we?”
“It seemed appropriate when you gave such a formal statement.” She gave him a smile. “I almost mistook you for a courtier speaking to Queen Charlotte.”
“Come now, I wasn’t as formal as all that, was I?”
“I think so.” She deepened her voice and said his words back at him, intoning them as if she were introducing guests at a ball.
He threw back his head and laughed. “You are quite the mimic, Miss Hale. I didn’t know you had such a talent.”
“I’m glad you’re entertained. I love to do it, but Father sometimes says I take it too far.”
“It’s quite diverting. Can you do any other voices I might recognize?”
They spent several miles on a number of imitations she was good at.
“Oh wait, I left one out. The newest one I’ve learned.” She was a bit hesitant to share this one, but she really wanted to practice it on someone to see if they could discern who she was being.
“Who is it?”
“See if you can guess.” Hetty took a deep breath and thrust her chest out. “I say, Fortescue, have you seen the latest n
ews?”
Laurence’s jaw dropped. “You have absolutely got him down. That’s remarkable.”
“You really can tell who I’m aping?”
“I can. It’s Henry Hammond, of course.”
“My doom.” She shook her head, suddenly sad in the midst of all the fun they’d been having.
“What do you mean?”
“If my father makes me marry him, I’ll be doomed to a life of misery.” A sob escaped on the last word. She shook her head. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to be morose. It’s just that sometimes it comes to mind and I realize my decisions are really not my own. It’s a bit daunting.”
“I’m sorry your father has put you in such a position, but maybe once this week is over, he’ll reconsider. Perhaps his own ordeal will make him more amenable to another solution for you.”
“One can only hope.” Hetty glanced out the window in order to break eye contact with Laurence. He was being very kind, but she truly wished he would say that he’d help her out of her dilemma by offering for her himself. She knew that was quite impossible, but she wanted it so dearly, he would surely see it in her face.
“I think we’re moving along at a nice pace. We should arrive at our destination in time.”
Now was the moment to ask why he wanted her to stay in the carriage. “Speaking of that, I overheard you telling the coachman you wanted me to stay with the conveyance when we arrive. Why is that? I want to help.”
“It may become dangerous. In fact, I’m sure it will. You need to be protected in more ways than one.”
“What do you mean?” she asked the question even though she knew exactly what he meant. She needed not only physical protection, but protection of her reputation.
“Don’t pretend you don’t understand, Hetty. We both know you’re more intelligent than that.” His gaze raked over her attire. “Not only are you dressed as a boy—wait one moment before you say a word—even if we had you change into your gown—you’re still many, many miles from home in the company of a man to whom you are not related.”
“And how do you recommend we make it right? No matter what we do, as you say, I’m far from home.”
“Once we get your father away from his captors, he can be escorted to the carriage and he will be a proper guardian for you. No one ever need know you weren’t with him the entire time.”
“You’re naïve if you think anyone will believe that. Half the town of Oxford knows my father was taken from his laboratory. They also know I wasn’t.”
“Yes, they might know it, but once you and he are reunited, they won’t question how it happened. Believe me, I know. There may be whispers, but they will be silenced by the strength of your father’s reputation.”
Laurence said the words, but something about the way he said them as well as the expression on his face made Hetty wonder if he truly believed them. What could he be thinking about her father and his name to say what he did in that manner?
He couldn’t believe he was sitting there defending her father’s reputation when he was planning to have the man charged with treason. It was imperative that she stay in the coach while the mission was carried out and reminding her of the need to protect her reputation was all he intended to say, but now the conversation had turned to how wonderful her father’s name was in society. Would he never learn to stop talking before he said too much?
How would he ever be able to face her again once this day was over? He hated to think about it especially after having shared a bed with her, no matter how innocent that sharing had been.
“Surely you don’t think people will really believe I’ve been with my father the entire time I’ve been with you?”
“I don’t know what to say, Hetty. If you’ll recall, I didn’t invite you along. You came of your own accord. We have to do the best we can in the circumstances.”
“Don’t you think I know that? I spent half the night after you left me in the room at the inn thinking about what I’d done. My own guilt is enough of a burden. You don’t have to point it out to me.”
“I didn’t mean to cause offense. I’m merely trying to think how we can minimize the gossip over this entire situation.”
She shook her head. “I think we should give up on the idea. I did what I did and will pay for my actions. Whatever the price.” With those words, Hetty turned her back and stared out the window.
He leaned his head on the sidewall of the carriage and closed his eyes. Thinking over their conversations in the coach, he wondered if there was a way to use her obvious talent for mimicry in the mission. Using her to help trap her own father? He wanted to shoot himself for even thinking such a thing, but he couldn’t help where his mind went, could he?
After a long while, Hetty turned to face Laurence again. The seat jostled and alerted him to her change in position.
Opening his eyes, he looked over at her. “What?”
“I’ve thought it over and you’re right. I’ll stay with the carriage.”
Laurence wasn’t sure whether to believe her or not. It seemed too easy. He’d gotten to know her better recently and even prior to these last days, he’d known she was strong willed. He feared she may have been pretending to agree in order to catch him and his men off guard.
Determined to still keep watch on her, he said, “Good. I’m glad to hear it. I think it’s for the best and I’m glad you agree.”
“I’ll do as told. Since you’ve been so kind to allow me to ride along and have your friends out seeking my father, it’s the least I can do.”
The more she talked, the surer Laurence became that she had thought of a plan of her own. Her attempts to assure him she was going to be docile only served to make him more alert. If necessary, he would have to act in an ungentlemanly way in order to secure her cooperation. He hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
The carriage came to a stop a few feet further down the path. The driver came down from his seat and opened the door. “May I see you outside, sir?”
Laurence stepped out, leaving Hetty inside.
“We’re only a mile or two from the destination,” the driver said. “I thought you would want to know. There’s no inn nearby for you to leave the lady, but I wasn’t sure how far back from the house you want me to keep the carriage.”
“It is a problem. We don’t want her so close that someone could take her hostage as they try to escape, but we also don’t want her too far away where she could be harmed by a passing villain.”
“I’ll stay with her. Make sure she’s kept safely inside.”
“A word of warning, though.” Laurence tilted his head toward the conveyance. “She’s planning something. I don’t know what, but I know her well enough to know she’s not going to sit in there if she thinks there’s one bit of a chance she can take part in releasing her father.”
“Maybe we should find a way to keep her in place.”
“I confess, I thought of the same thing but I’m reluctant to restrain her physically. She would probably never forgive me for it.”
“Begging your pardon, sir, I think the lady would forgive you anything. I’ve seen the way she looks at you.”
Startled, Laurence pushed his spectacles up on his nose. “I beg your pardon?”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to overstep.” The coachman bowed. “We should get moving. I’ll stop about a quarter mile from the house. You can go in on foot from there.”
“If you see any of the men I’ve hired to help me, stop sooner. I can ride in with one of them. They’ll be on horseback.”
Laurence returned to Hetty and the driver started down the path again.
“What was that about?” Hetty asked.
“We’re almost there. Soon, he’ll stop and let me out. Then the next time I see you, I should be bringing your father to the carriage and we can start back to Oxford.” He hated to lie to her, but he had to keep her safe and away from the action.
“But what if you need assistance? I thought the driver would be there to aid in t
he rescue.”
“I have friends who are meeting me. I’ll have plenty of help. No need to worry about that.”
“But I will be worried until I see you and my father again.”
“You promised to stay with the carriage. I really need you to do that so I can be free to act as I need to in order to do what has to be done. Can’t you see if I have to worry about your safety as well that it will impede me?”
A flush came over her face and he wondered if he’d gone too far.
“You’d be too worried about my safety to focus on rescuing my father?” Hetty’s voice had a touch of awe in it and Laurence immediately regretted his words. Now it would come as a double betrayal to her when he had to take her father to London to face charges. It seemed he’d now given the impression she had a special place in his heart. That wasn’t his intent at all. At all. It wasn’t even true. Was it?
Chapter Eighteen
Hetty couldn’t believe they were almost to where Laurence’s friends thought her father was being held. Her stomach flipped and threatened to rebel. Would her father be saved or was he already dead? Did he give the people who took him the information about where he was hiding his new discovery? And if he had, did that seal his fate?
She wanted so much to be there for the rescue. Understanding that Laurence didn’t want her there, she wanted to keep her promise to stay with the coach, but she wasn’t sure when it came down to it that she really could do so.
The conveyance came to a stop again. Laurence turned to her. “I’ll return as quickly as I can. I promise. Please stay here as I asked. You don’t know how much I need you to be here away from the fray.”
“Because you have to be sure I’m safe?” Hetty prayed his words meant what she wanted them to mean. That her safety was paramount because he loved her.
“Absolutely. If one of the men with your father somehow escapes, we wouldn’t want him to be able to take you as some sort of hostage, would we?”
“Do you think that could really happen?” The idea hadn’t occurred to Hetty.
Lightning Strikes Twice (The Heart of a Hero Book 4) Page 17