“I guess I can give you breakfast. For a price.”
Maude timidly approached Colin. “Yer lordship?”
“Yes?”
“I don’t think we should do it.”
“Lord Clayton cannot hurt us anymore, Maude.”
“It’s not just that.” She looked around as if not wanting to be overheard. “I just think we should move along down the road a bit. Please, sir.”
There was nothing Colin wanted more than to have something to eat while warming himself at the inn. But Maude seemed adamant and he hardly wished to reward the innkeeper by paying what he was certain would be an exorbitant price. Perhaps they would find a tavern further down the road. It was doubtful, but worth a try.
The innkeeper looked disappointed to be denied a chance to cheat them but he also looked anxious to go back to bed.
Colin and the others continued their journey down the lane.
“We’ve but a little more to walk, milord,” said Maude.
Colin hoped the girl knew something he didn’t because if the next village was truly ten miles away, he didn’t consider that “a little more to walk.”
They continued onward half a mile past the village, then Maude turned onto a path that took them up a hill.
“Maude, where are we going?” asked Colin, hoping she knew of a shortcut.
“There’s a place to make a fire up here. It’s where the farm lads often stop when they take their animals to town. I saw it once from a wagon. I thought it was right curious at the time. But it also gives you a view down the road. I reckon it’s a good place to eat and warm ourselves while we wait for a cart to pass.”
Too many delectable words assailed Colin’s head at once: eat, warm, cart.
“But we have no food, Maude.”
The girl smiled before pulling back her cape and displaying a veritable pantry of items.
Stemple grinned at her. “I thought I was carrying all your things.”
“You’re carrying all my clothing. But I have the food and this.” She pulled out a small cast iron pot. “I always wanted to be a cook. So whenever the gypsies come through I look for items to buy. I’ve had this pot for almost a year.” She placed the pot on the iron grill over the fire pit dug into the hill.
“Maude, you’re brilliant!” said Ava.
“I also took scones this morning for the four of us. ‘Twasn’t stealing,” she quickly added with a look toward Colin. “I reckon his lordship and Victor was guests, while Ava and I worked there. We was all entitled to breakfast. I would’ve taken more, but this was all there was.”
“This is much more than I expected,” said Colin. “Thank you.”
“I’m not done yet,” said Maude. “And if one of you was to start the fire, we could warm ourselves as we wait.”
“An excellent suggestion,” said Colin. “And one I should have thought of.” From her look, it seemed Maude quite agreed on both counts, though she said not a word. “Stemple, do you have any tinder to start a fire?”
“I am afraid not, my lord. But perhaps when the sun comes up we can use my reading spectacles to reflect the rays to light some dried sticks, if we can find any.”
“I have a tinderbox,” said Ava, pulling out the small silver box. “In my travels with father, we had to be prepared for all eventualities.”
Colin had to grin. “Stemple, we are being quite shown up by the ladies and I thank God for it.”
Stemple grinned, as well, as he took the tinderbox from Ava. After gathering as many bits of wood as he could, he pulled open the box, then shielded it from wind as the flint lit the tinder within. He carefully transferred the flame to the wood, which readily caught fire. Colin added a few more pieces of dried peat that he found nearby.
“I also have two flagons of cold cider,” said Maude, as she lifted two animal skins from around her neck. She timidly gave one to Colin. “Here’s one for you, milord. Then Miss Conway and Victor and I can share this one.”
“That hardly seems fair, Maude,” said Colin.
The girl’s eyes widened. “Are you saying you want both?”
“No, Maude. And if I ever become such a tyrant, I hope one or all of you will give me a swift kick in the rear. No, I thank you for the cider, but will share it with Ava, if that is all right with you, Miss Conway.”
Ava blushed delightfully and Colin felt a corresponding heat. For he had to admit he wanted to share the drink with her, if only to have the opportunity to place his lips where hers had been. He knew he shouldn’t be having such thoughts. She and the others were under his protection and he would be the worst blackguard to even think of seducing her. Yet, he was freezing cold and losing hope that they would reach his estate with any speed. Could it hurt all that much to warm himself with passionate thoughts of Ava?
Yes. Yes, it could.
He cleared his throat. “Maude, you are the savior of us all.”
“There’s more,” she said. She pulled out two more bags that had been hanging around her waist. “This will likely have to last us at least a day, so we can’t have all of it now. But I have bread, cheese and roast beef.”
The other three stared at her in astonishment.
“Maude,” said Colin, “how were you able to come up with such a feast?”
“It was set aside for the dogs.”
That was not the answer Colin had been expecting. “Excuse me?”
Ava laughed. “Do not be alarmed, sir. Lord Clayton’s dogs eat very well. The food is kept in the cleanest condition. And do not fear that they will not have enough to eat. I assure you the hounds will not suffer.”
“My fear was not for the hounds, Ava.”
“There,” said Stemple, pointing to the blaze which was growing in intensity. “Thanks to Miss Conway, the fire is coming along rather well.”
The others gathered around the warmth and watched as Maude cut off a portion of meat and cheese. She placed them in the pot, then stirred it with a wooden spoon that she had also pulled out from under her cloak.
“You do not happen to have a carriage under there, do you?” asked Colin. “It would seem you have everything else.”
It took only another ten minutes of Maude’s expertise to create a warm breakfast for them all. While it was the most rudimentary of ingredients, Colin swore he’d never tasted anything better. After the meal, Ava helped Maude clean her pot, as Stemple stoked the fire and Colin looked for more wood – a tall order in the midst of snow.
By that time, it was light and they had a good view of the road in both directions.
“How long shall we wait, my lord?” asked Stemple.
“Perhaps another half hour would give us a chance to take maximum advantage of this fire, while at the same time ensuring the morning is just a bit warmer before we begin our trek. Do you really believe we shall encounter a farmer and a cart, Maude?”
“I cannot say, milord,” said Maude. “But one can hope.”
“Yes, Maude. One can hope.”
CHAPTER NINE
Twenty minutes later, the fire burned its last and the four of them set off down the road. They were passed by two sleepy workers sharing a horse, then a farmer driving a large cart. Unfortunately, they were all going the opposite direction. But within the hour, they finally heard the sound of horses behind them. Colin turned to see a farmer driving a cart filled with what appeared to be hay.
He called out to the man. “Good sir, how are you this morning?”
The man eyed them suspiciously. “Well enough.” He looked Colin up and down, likely noting his lack of adequate winter clothing.
“I am Colin Emerson and we are trying to rent a carriage so we can continue our journey,” said Colin, through chattering teeth. And if he ever met the man who’d made his useless boots, he’d surely kick him in the arse.
“If you want to do that, you’d best turn back,” said the farmer. “The village is but two miles up the road. You could likely rent a carriage at the inn.”
“U
nfortunately, they had nothing for us.”
The man cocked his head. “Ah, you’ve got no blunt.”
“I have some, though not much.”
“Then why wouldn’t they rent you nothing? You’re a toff, ain’t you?”
“The Earl of Ridgeway. But Lord Clayton and I had a bit of a disagreement and the innkeeper chose to take his side.” Colin prayed the man was not dependent on Clayton’s goodwill.
“Can’t say I know this Lord Clayton.”
“Lord Ridgeway is trying to return home for Christmas,” said Ava. “His sisters are expecting him.”
“Your sisters, huh?” asked the farmer, softening noticeably.
“Yes, sir. Quite frankly I’ve made a muddle of things, but I would like to make it up to them. We are trying to get to Wilton in Wiltshire. Is there any possibility we can get a ride at least part of the way with you? I can pay you some coin.”
The man took a look at Colin and the others. He must have noted their exhaustion, for he nodded. “No coin is necessary and my name is Carl. I got sisters myself. And you must be desperate if a gentleman like yourself is willing to ride in a farmer’s cart. You can hop in the back, though it is a bit scratchy.”
“But I must pay you something,” said Colin.
“It’s Christmas,” said Carl. “It just seems like the right thing to do.”
Colin could not believe the wave of gratitude that swept over him. He would have kissed the man, though he feared that would get them kicked off the cart before they’d even climbed in.
“There’s two tarps,” said Carl. “I put them back there in case it rained. I reckon you could put one beneath you, then pull the other over.”
“Thank you,” said Colin, as he walked to the back of the cart. It was filled with straw and, fortunately, looked to be fairly clean. Stemple was already laying out the tarp.
“We should place the ladies between us,” said Colin, “to ensure they are warmest.”
Stemple helped Maude into the cart, then sat to the right of her – probably to shield the scarred side of his face.
“Ava?” asked Colin as he held out his hand to help her in. “I am afraid it is not the carriage I thought we would have.”
“But it will be much better than the alternative,” she said with a smile, before placing her hand in his and climbing in next to Maude.
Colin could only laugh at himself as he climbed in next to her. He was an earl. From what his late father would have said, he and his family were better than most, able to conquer the world with only a look. Yet, so far that day he’d been saved by the ingenuity and kindness of a kitchen maid, a governess, a valet and a farmer. It reinforced a belief he’d held for quite some time; a person should be judged on his deeds and not his birthright.
There was no real way to sit up in the mound, so all four of them were in somewhat of a reclining position. He watched as the others began covering themselves with straw.
“It will help to keep the heat in,” said Ava, as she spread it out evenly.
“Yes,” said Colin. “It was a tactic we often employed during the war. We rarely had the luxury of sleeping indoors. A mound of hay was a welcome sight on a cold night.”
Ava nodded. “Plus, we have the added advantage that no spiders are likely to surprise us in the frigid weather.”
“Don’t tell me you’re afraid of spiders,” said Colin, as the cart resumed its journey with a jolt.
“Very much so,” she said, as she tried to get comfortable.
“I would say that anyone who handled Clayton so capably could hold her own against a spider.”
“And I would say both are distasteful.”
He opened his flagon of cider. “Would you like some, Ava?”
She nodded and he watched as she delicately brought the container to her mouth and took a sip. He was lucky the hay covered him because his cock had completely disregarded the cold and was now pressing against the buttons of his trousers. He accepted the cider back from her, took a sip, then restoppered it.
He leaned back, trying to get comfortable. He looked over to see Stemple and Maude already asleep. They had unconsciously turned to each other. Maude’s head was pillowed on Stemple’s chest, while his face nestled in her hair. They looked at peace with each other. He suspected his valet was well on his way to falling in love with the kitchen maid and hoped that Maude returned the sentiment. If so, he believed he’d acquired a new cook’s assistant. And after eating her cooking, he thought that was a very good thing, indeed.
The sleeping couple had also caught Ava’s attention, for she was looking at them, as well.
“I do not think either got any sleep last night,” she said. “Not that Maude was doing anything improper, of course. It had just been a long time since she’d met anyone she could truly talk to. Not to mention such a considerate gentleman.”
“Stemple truly is the best of men,” said Colin. “I only wish I could do right by him.”
“And why do you think you are not?”
“I owe him a great deal in wages for one thing and I do not know when I can make it up to him.”
“But I have no doubt you will make that right when you are able.”
“I will.”
Ava struggled to get comfortable. Unlike the others, she and Colin were not touching. And it appeared like she would like to keep it that way.
Unfortunately.
“Why else do you think you have failed him?” she asked.
“The same way I have failed my family. By not making up for the mistakes of my father and grandfather. My entire family lives in poverty because I haven’t been able to find a solution.”
“You place a great deal of importance on financial matters, my lord.”
“It is Colin, remember? And money is important.”
“I have never had much of it, yet I have not missed it. Though when my father was dying, I wish I would have been able to make his life easier.”
“He had you with him, Ava. I suspect that eased his suffering more than anything else.”
“That is one of the kindest things anyone has ever said to me, Colin.” She was slowing sinking into a hole in her efforts to become comfortable.
“Ava, why do you not do as Maude has done and rest your head on my chest? It would lessen your chances of the hay scratching your eyes and you might avoid that large hole which seems to be devouring you.”
“I could not lay my head on your chest, my lord. It would be most improper.”
“Ava, if you think I’m trying to seduce you, you’re either underestimating my gentlemanly honor or overestimating the ability of my body to withstand the cold.” Though, he had a feeling that if the lady were willing, his body could overcome the cold quite well. “I promise you will always be safe with me. But if we huddle together like Stemple and Maude, we shall be warmer and more comfortable.”
She still looked unconvinced.
“I give you leave to incapacitate me the way you did Clayton, if that helps.”
She smiled, then carefully placed her head on his chest. Without thinking, he wrapped her in his arms. It felt like the most natural movement in the world. He had to stop himself from kissing the top of her head.
“I shall not hold it against you that you appear all too eager to get the chance to knee me in the private area,” he said, warmed through and through.
“A lady does not get such an invitation often, Colin.”
“I daresay the image of Clayton, post-kneeing, is one I shall cherish until I am old and infirm. Indeed, if I am heard laughing in my rocking chair it shall no doubt be at the remembrance.”
Given how aroused he was, and how cold he’d been just a few minutes earlier, it seemed impossible that he would be tired enough to sleep. Perhaps it was the rhythmic swaying of the cart. Or the sheer exhaustion of their early morning trek. Or mayhap, it was the feeling of having Ava in his arms snuggled up to him, but Colin drifted off to sleep. Content for once. Almost happy.
But still worried.
*
Ava could not believe that Colin was falling asleep. Perhaps it was commonplace for him to have a woman rest her head on his chest while he held her in his strong arms. It probably was. This was probably how the man always travelled, though in a carriage, of course, and with not quite as much hay.
He was asleep, yet all of Ava’s senses were working feverishly. She breathed in the scent of him. Shaving soap and leather. She was warmed by his heat. She wanted to explore the chest that so neatly pillowed her head, though no pillow she’d ever used had been this warm or inviting. She’d nearly burrowed to the bottom of the cart in her effort to create some distance between them. She’d never touched a man this intimately and it stole her breath away.
Maude and Stemple were asleep in each other’s arms. That was significant since Maude trusted few people and she suspected the valet was also cautious when meeting others. But they were as at ease with each other as couples who’d been married for decades.
Ava wondered what the earl’s future wife would think of him curled up thusly with a governess. Former governess. She hadn’t had much time to think of how greatly her life had changed in the past several hours. She had lost the only position she’d ever had. She had to find a new one and that would not be easy. She did believe that Colin – Lord Ridgeway, she reminded herself – would help her. But she wasn’t sure how many families he might know in need of a governess. She also hoped that Lord Clayton would follow through on his promise to send her the wages he owed. Without them, she wouldn’t be able to travel to a new position, assuming she could find one.
But despite her rather precarious circumstances, she was glad to be out of Clayton’s house. And she would not miss the twins. Hopefully, her next charges would be better behaved.
Colin shifted, pulling her closer to him. Good Lord, how was she supposed to lie there with him? Her body was now so warm she would have kicked off the tarp if it wouldn’t have disturbed the others. But it wasn’t just the warmth. Her skin felt tight. Her nipples were hard and there seemed to be moisture between her legs. All from being next to a man who had fallen asleep so easily.
Always Come Home (Emerson 1) Page 7