"Oh!” She sat up quickly, then paused to identify all the aches and pains riddling her body. How could a person hurt as much as she?
The Earl laughed. “Sore, I will wager.” He then narrowed his eyes as he gazed at her too intently. “Come; prepare yourself while I roust Raleigh from his bed. The morning has already started without us on the road."
As soon as the door slammed shut, she scrambled off the floor. Thank the heavens Lord Tremaine was giving her time to get ready in private.
She glanced in the mirror, then frowned at her image. Her short hair stood up at various angles. Light blue bruises marred her smooth complexion. The swelling had subsided but still, she looked a fright. She felt worse. But if she didn't light a fire under herself, the Earl would return before she was ready to resume her role as Danny.
Once again, she berated herself for her stupidity. How did I ever think I could ever successfully manage this masquerade? Lord Tremaine is a very intelligent man. He stares at me as if he knows there is something amiss.
She closed her eyes to pray. Please, God, if I can just pull the wool over his eyes a bit longer. I just need to get to Bath. Then I will be under Benjamin's protection, and the Earl will never discover the truth.
Another thought stopped her. And if he does find out, please don't let him tell my father.
Somehow, the thought of Lord Tremaine knowing the truth was more disturbing than if her father became aware of it.
It didn't take her long to dress. Pulling up knee breeches was far easier than having to button up in women's attire. As a female, she was accustomed to a daily beauty regimen. It seemed she would also have one as a male. From her carpetbag, she removed a pot of rice powder to lighten her normally rosy lips, used the ground cloves to thicken and brown her pale eyebrows, and applied soot from under the bedchamber's chest of drawers to darken her complexion.
After smoothing down her wildly askew hair, she was satisfied with her appearance. It was then that the door opened.
"I have just evicted Raleigh from his bed.” Leaning in on the doorknob, the Earl gave her the once-over. “Come, we breakfast in the main parlor."
At the word, breakfast, her stomach rumbled. Danielle gladly followed him out into the corridor. He led the way, and again she admired the breadth of his shoulders, lean hips and taut thighs. A strange thrill wiggled down her spine, and heat flooded her cheeks. Once more she gave thanks that she had fallen under the protection of such a kind gentleman. Under his care, she would never have to worry about mundane things such as eating or sleeping.
But ‘tis only until I reach Bath, she reminded herself. For some reason, that thought saddened her.
* * * *
As much as Danielle wished to arrive at Bath as quickly as possible, she welcomed the nuncheon respite that Lord Raleigh insisted on taking. Her mare had a rough and bumpy stride, which caused her bottom to ache from being bounced. The tender skin on her thighs also protested the constant rubbing from the horse's uneven gait.
She had to smile at all her muscle pains. She felt as if she were ninety, instead of seventy years younger.
"I say, this is as good a place as any to refresh ourselves.” Lord Raleigh, looking dashing in cream-colored breeches and a tobacco brown tailcoat, guided his horse off the road toward rolling hills and a majestic elm tree. “We may feast in the shade from these luxurious leaves, while we rest our weary arses."
Danielle gulped down her surprise at his vulgar term. In addition to having to get used to riding astride, she had to remember men, gentlemen or otherwise, spoke very differently with their own sex than when in the company of ladies.
Lord Tremaine shot her a quick glance, then galloped ahead to the tree.
She sighed. She'd have to be more careful. Nothing escaped that man's notice.
"Yes, this shall do quite adequately.” The Earl dismounted and removed the provisions he'd obtained at the Admiral Rodney for their meal.
Now it was time for her to earn her keep. She trotted her mare next to his, struggled—hopefully undetected—to descend off the horse, then took the container of food from his hands. While the men wandered off, she set a few cloth napkins on the ground. She took great care in arranging cold slices of ham and turkey, a dozen soft rolls, and three red apples. Raw carrots were also included, but she didn't know if the vegetable was intended for them or their horses.
With the food now on the “table", she set out wine glasses—a rather expensive addition for a picnic—then held the bottle of wine. She frowned. How was she supposed to get the cork out of the bottle?
Lord Tremaine came to her rescue ... again. “Give me that."
With relief, she handed the wine to him.
He used a pocketknife to extract the cork, and then smelled the lightweight stopper. “Ahh, an excellent bouquet. Do you drink Madeira, Danny?"
Alas, her forays into the world of wine had been strictly limited. She'd been exposed to only punch and ratafia.
"I have never had the privilege, sir,” she answered frankly.
"Ho, you are in for a treat, then, Danny me boy.” Lord Raleigh suddenly appeared by her side and slapped her on the back.
She stumbled.
"This here is East India Madeira,” Lord Raleigh explained. “Sterling's favorite. More costly than most because it has been fortified with brandy, then shipped to India and back. The voyage is said to improve its bouquet."
The Earl shrugged. “One only goes around once. Why drink inferior wine when Madeira is available?” He sat on the ground with no difficulty at all. “Besides, I shall know soon enough if I am able to afford this extravagance. Why not celebrate now, while I am ignorant?"
Danielle wrinkled her brow. What did he mean?
Lord Raleigh also sat, however he was more awkward about it. “You are puzzled, Danny? But of course you are, how could you know my friend's tale?” He waved his hand in a flourish, then picked up a piece of ham. “Edward Sterling, of late in His Majesty's Royal Navy, has just recently come into the noble title of the fifth Earl of Tremaine."
He stopped to nibble on the slice. “Sounds grand, don't it? Problem is, Sterling's not certain whether there is a fortune attached to the Earldom. At least a substantial amount large enough to pay the Gainford estate expenses and live in the lap of luxury."
In her pampered life, she'd never had to worry about expenses, before this little escapade, at any rate. To be truthful, the Galloway household did practice frugality, but she never lacked for necessities. Her hand flew to her lips in consternation. Lord Tremaine was too fine a gentleman to be burdened with monetary concerns.
"Is that why you journey to Bath, my lord?” she asked. “To learn about your finances?"
The Earl held up his wine goblet. “Let us not concern ourselves with business. Fill my glass, Danny, and keep it filled. The same for Raleigh and you."
She did as she was bid, with Lord Raleigh holding the third glass for her. Sitting as the men sat, with one knee up and the other resting on the ground, was a very liberating sensation. As was the sweet, fortified wine.
Soon her head swam in an agreeable haze. The men engaged in conversation that didn't interest her, so she allowed her mind to wander. She gazed out at the peaceful countryside. A plentitude of tiny wild daisies dotted gentle slopes of unruly green grass. The horses took their fill of the grass, stopping only to quench their thirst at a nearby babbling stream.
Leaning back to rest her weight on her right hand, she sipped at the wine with her left. She smiled, in harmony with one and all. “This is so lovely."
She turned at Lord Raleigh's laughter.
"Look at the red cheeks on the lad. Pure scarlet! I believe the dear boy's a bit bosky.” He grinned. “I will wager your head is spinning, Danny."
Her smile widened. “Maybe. Only a bit."
His laugh deepened. “No? Not three sheets in the wind yet? Just wait!"
Before she could blink, he set her glass aside and grabbed her hands. He pulled he
r up and out from the elm tree's shade. Still holding her hands, he ran with her in a tight circle, humming a tune and laughing at the same time.
At first she enjoyed the sensation, then her head really did start spinning. She tried to pull away, but he didn't release her hands.
The next thing she knew, Lord Tremaine had wrenched her free. But she still spun. Wide-eyed, she stared at the moving images of the Earl. Then her stomach revolted. She clapped her hand over her mouth. Good heavens, she was going to do the unthinkable: cast up her accounts right in front of him!
More motion, but this time it was real. The Earl had carried her over to the stream. “Go ahead, Danny. Relieve yourself."
She bent over the water and, her shoulders heaving, she got rid of her lunch ... and the wine. But that wasn't the worst of it. Lord Tremaine stayed right by her side, smoothing his hand up and down her back, murmuring soothing sounds.
Oh, how mortifying. She wanted to die.
Finally, the vomiting stopped.
He gave her a handkerchief to wipe her mouth. “There. You feel better, yes?” Then he cupped his hand in the stream and held it up to her. “Drink some water to clear your throat."
Tears flooded her eyes. She willed herself not to cry, but her body refused to obey. To hide her emotion, she turned her head away. “Y-You are too kind, my lord. I g-guess I am not accustomed to quality wine."
"It is no matter, bantling.” He held out his hand to help her up. “Come. We must take Raleigh to task for his cruelty, then we can be on our way."
Each step she took caused her head to pound. More than anything else, she wanted to return to the safety of her home in Leeds. She'd had enough adventure to last two lifetimes. Most likely Benjamin was fine in Bath. He probably didn't need her to supervise his convalescence. If, in fact, he'd been ill to begin with. In her haste to play ministering angel, she might have misinterpreted his last letter.
Lord Tremaine placed his hand on her shoulder in a comforting manner. Then again, if she'd never left home, she wouldn't have met him. She blinked her eyes to drive away the tears. She liked Edward Sterling. She liked him a lot.
Her tormentor, Xavier Raleigh, was resting against the elm tree when they approached. “Heigho! I wondered where you two had got to. Jolly good fun, what?"
The Earl gathered the supplies from their meal. “Bad ton, Raleigh. Danny's bound to have the devil of a head for the rest of today's journey."
To give the man his due, Lord Raleigh truly did look contrite. His shoulders slumped and the corners of his mouth drooped. “I say, I made a muddle of it. Not in your black books, am I, Danny?” He held out his hand to her. “No hard feelings?"
It was very generous of him to apologize. After all, Danielle was only a page. She shook his hand and gave him a wavering smile.
"Capital!” Lord Raleigh helped load the supplies on the horses. “Let's get back on the road, pronto. Since I got fleeced at the card table last night, I've a mind to have another wager. Half-crown that this time we stop in Weobley, Sterling."
The Earl mounted his steed, then circled around them until both she and his friend were astride. “As that village is also my pick, I should abstain."
Lord Raleigh's face fell.
"But I cannot have you return to Bath fleeced. Half-crown it is.” Lord Tremaine settled his hat on his head, then galloped onto the dirt road.
Lord Raleigh followed, and Danielle slowly brought up the rear. Edward Sterling had predicted corrected. She did have a devil of a head.
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Chapter Four
Danny Augustus is a most unusual page.
Edward chewed a succulent piece of beef as he also chewed on that particular thought. Indeed, he suspected the lad wasn't of the servant class at all. And, more to the point, he was nine parts certain Danny wasn't even a lad.
Which meant he ... she was a girl. A female traveling in the company of men without a chaperon to protect her reputation.
Edward spit out grizzle, then washed his unease down with an amble quantity of claret. The wine was dry and full-bodied. Excellent. The Red Lion Inn in the village of Weobly boasted of several fine vintages, which catered to the needs of thirsty travelers—he and Raleigh, to be precise.
Not yet in his cups, Edward nodded to himself. Yes, by Danny's peculiar behavior, he believed she was a lady. A high-strung, foolish lady, to be sure. Undoubtedly a spoiled brat who'd been mollycoddled and cosseted past all forbearance.
No doubt she justified her hijinks by imagining herself to be on a grand adventure. Blaming a supposedly stern father for God only knew what. Rebelling against her parents and Society's conventions.
He finished his glass, then poured another. But all this was speculation. He wasn't certain. Tonight he'd have to discover the truth one way or the other.
Raleigh claimed his attention. After shoveling a spoonful of curry into his mouth, he dropped his utensil and yelled, “Fire!"
Edward laughed as his friend sought to negate the burning effects of spicy Indian curry with another gulp of claret.
"I say! My poor enflamed palate,” Raleigh managed to utter, wiping, most certainly, unexpected tears from his eyes.
"One of the specialties of the house, Raleigh. Curry with all the trimmings. Along with this excellent beef.” Edward leaned back in his chair, sated with food and drink. “Cattle bred locally, you know. Red-and-white Herefords."
Raleigh fanned his mouth with his hand. “I should have stuck with good ol’ English fare.” He replenished his wine and gulped down half. “By the bye, where's Danny? I miss the young cub."
"What, to refill your glass?"
"No, no. ‘Tis a page's duty, to be sure, but that little cockerel kind of grows on you, don't he?” Raleigh slapped the oak table. “Did you see how his face turned bright red from the Madeira?"
"As I recall, your cheeks were also a bit crimson,” Edward said to squelch his friend's amusement. It was when he had comforted his page by the brook that Edward's suspicions had deepened. He had run his hand up and down Danny's back, only to feel a wrapping of material through the homespun shirt. Either the lad had suffered a broken rib or he ... she wished to hide feminine assets by binding her bosom tightly against her chest.
Edward blotted his lips on a cloth napkin. “Danny should be down in a trice. Had some matters to attend to, he said.” Most likely matters of a personal nature—especially if he turned out to be a she.
Sure enough, a knock soon sounded on the private parlor's door. Told to enter, Danny quietly walked in and bowed. “Sorry I took so long, my lord. May I help with anything?"
The reason Danny had missed the majority of the meal was obvious. In the candlelit room, his hair shone with brilliant golden highlights. His clothes, dirt-free, obviously had been changed, and a faint whiff of lavender drifted over to Edward to tantalize his nose. The boy was freshly scrubbed clean. Or rather, girl.
Blast. Edward would have to determine this stripling's sex as soon as possible.
"Have a seat, Danny, and take your fill. We have just finished."
"Speak for yourself, Sterling,” Raleigh countered. “My taste buds have not yet begun to sample all these delicacies.” He pointed to the red curry dish. “Beware of that, Danny me boy. ‘Tis like molten lava."
A mischievous smile lit Danny's face as he purposely scooped some curry onto a plate. “Thank you for the warning, sir. I happen to like spicy food."
Edward lifted an eyebrow. Interesting. As a rule, village lads were not privy to exotic culinary fare.
"To each his own.” Raleigh shrugged, then continued to stuff his mouth. “I'll be glad when we arrive in Bath tomorrow. Looking forward to some gaming and wenching, hey?"
Edward smiled indulgently. At seven and twenty, Xavier Raleigh was ten years younger. Prone to youthful folly, while Edward had the scars of war to age him, in addition to the extra years. “More to life than idle pleasures, Raleigh."
"Perhaps, but none I know
about!” He winked at both Edward and Danny. “Sterling, did I tell you about the wager I won at the Assembly Rooms in Bath just before I journeyed to your estate? Came across a callow fellow. Just out of leading strings.” Raleigh slapped his knee. “Lost a monkey at whist, he did. I never saw such demmed fuss. The poor sot nearly fell into a fit of the vapours."
"Five hundred pounds is no trifling amount, Raleigh. If the fellow was such a flat, perhaps you should have had mercy on him."
"Ho! The cawker knew what he was about. Figured him to be three and twenty at least.” Raleigh leaned across the table and lowered his voice. “Pleaded for me to exchange his vowels for his sister."
"Despicable!” Obviously Danny hadn't intended to interject a comment for he then lowered his head, concentrating on the meal.
Edward shot a glance over at his page, then turned his attention back to his friend. “Surely you jest. This fellow could not have been a gentleman."
"God's honor. Son of a Baronet. So he said, in any event. I told the bloke I wasn't a whore-master, for pity sake."
Danny coughed, nearly choking on a thick slice of buttered bread.
"Easy, lad.” Edward handed over a glass of claret, and watched as Danny downed all the wine.
Raleigh waited until he held everyone's gazes again. “Then Ben—that was his name—Ben asked, ‘How about you forgive my debt for one of her kisses, then? My sister is the most beautiful creature in all of West Yorkshire. Everyone says so.’”
"What was your response?"
"I agreed, of course! What is any amount of gold to a maiden's rosy red lips? Jolly good fun.” Raleigh held out his hands in an open gesture. “Besides, I confess I felt sorry for the bastard."
When Danny flinched, Edward grinned. The lad practically shouted out the fact that he was a gently raised she.
Still, Edward had to laugh. His friend's way with cards ... and women was legendary. “So how are you to identify this bang-up-to-the-mark young lady? West Yorkshire covers a great deal of territory."
"She's in Leeds. Which is on the way back to your estate in Gainford. Don't know why I didn't think of it earlier in our travels."
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