He glanced up with a faint smile. Despite her irritation, her heart lurched. How she wished he wasnt so beautiful with his narrow, intense face and his glinting green eyes and his level dark brows. After nearly ten years without him, he still dazzled her. It just wasnt fair.
I didnt have to prostrate myself on your doorstep. He paused. Giuseppe told me your plans.
Blast Giuseppe and his flapping gums.
She didnt realize shed spoken aloud until Cam laughed. You should give him his marching orders. Hes worse than useless.
Perhaps you should offer him a place in your household, she asked with more of that dangerous sweetness.
Not on your life. I value loyalty too much to employ that weasel. Pen, do you really want me trailing you all the way back to Dover?
He made her sound absurd. Youd do that?
I would.
Of course he would. Hed accepted the obligation of her safety and he wouldnt relinquish the burden short of death. Cams principles were a deuced nuisance. She released a long-suffering sigh. Were you always this annoying?
Probably. He glanced around. Shall we go?
Now?
He lifted the candle. Your carriage awaits. I paid the landlord last night.
What about your carriage?
I rode.
Aghast, she stared at him. Through the snow?
Through the snow. He paused. Youve put me to a deal of trouble, Pen.
Her lips tightened even as guilt pricked her. It had been a horrific winter. Hed faced weeks of peril on her behalf. I didnt ask you to come.
Perhaps not, but set aside your stubbornness and admit that youll be better off with a man to ease your way.
Patronizing swine. She left the bedroom and gingerly descended the insecure staircase, careful not to grip the makeshift banister too hard. What a typically male thing to say.
Which makes it no less true. His voice warmed a fraction. She wished to heaven she wasnt so attuned to every nuance. She wished to heaven shed never met him again.
On the ground floor she faced Cam, illuminated in candlelight at the top of the stairs. God save her, could he look any more appealing? She bit back a bitter laugh.
If hed suborned her coachman, she didnt have much choice about going with him. Still, she didnt like to admit defeat any more than His Grace, the Duke of Sedgemoor. We need to set some rules.
He cocked his eyebrow with familiar mockery as he descended, carrying her bag. Thats not like you, Pen. You usually prefer everything free and easy.
Ouch. Just because I didnt settle into middle age before I hit twenty doesnt make me a complete flibbertigibbet. Ive traveled for years without major problems.
Yesterday was a close call.
She wished he hadnt arrived to find her at such a disadvantage. On the other hand, without his intervention, she doubted that shed be here this morning. Are you going to dine out on that rescue all the way to England?
Youve got a nasty tongue, my girl. He sounded like he appreciated her barbed responses.
Oh, no. Oh, no, no, no. They werent falling into the habit of private little messages. They werent going to act like intimate friends. She glared. Ive developed many unfortunate habits, she said flatly. Are we going?
Your eagerness for my company fills my heart with elation.
Give yourself a day or so in a carriage with me and see if you feel the same, she snapped and flounced outside to where the perfidious Giuseppe waited in the drivers seat. A high-bred bay gelding was tied to the back of the coach. The snow might have stopped, but it was bitterly cold. Pen hoped Giuseppe froze.
When Cam entered the vehicle, she was bundled under fur throws with Maria beside her. The lamps inside were lit. He settled with his back toward the horses. Again, the perfect gentleman.
He banged on the ceiling to tell Giuseppe to go. Pen bit back a snide comment about him taking charge. Even as a small boy, Cam had been inclined to command. Seven years as Duke of Sedgemoor had only fortified his dictatorial tendencies. If she bridled at every order, shed be a wreck before they reached the foot of this mountain, let alone England.
Maria curled into the corner and closed her eyes. Cam shot the girl a disapproving glance. Servants at Fentonwyck displaying such lèse-majesté would be dismissed without a character. Pen stifled the impulse to justify herself. In Marias defense, Pen saw little point making the girl sit up when she had nothing constructive to do.
Already Cam threatened to become a tyrant. If he was hers, shed bring him down a few pegs. But to her everlasting regret, hed never be hers.
Does your maid speak English? he asked once they were on their way.
No. The mountain road was bumpy. Pen grabbed the leather strap against the jolting.
Good. He extended his closed hand. Here.
Automatically she reached for what he offered. He dropped something small and round and warm onto her palm. She looked down. It was the Sedgemoor signet ring, carved with two rearing unicorns, their horns crossed to make an X.
Shocked, she looked up. What are you doing?
Its a loan.
Her fingers closed around the ring. For centuries, it had been the tangible symbol of Rothermere power. Why?
To her surprise, he looked uncomfortable. He hadnt looked at all awkward when hed pushed her around. Wear it on your ring finger. I dont imagine anyone will recognize us and well use false names. But well attract less attention if people think were married.
Feeling sick, she stared at the gold ring gleaming in the lamplight. It taunted her with the cruel reality that shed never be his bride. How practical.
He heard her implied criticism. His lips tightened. You know the consequences if were discovered. His tone bit. Its not as if you want to marry me.
She sighed, depressed that he held a grudge when they both knew shed done him a favor by refusing him. Cam, you cant still be angry about the proposal. That makes no sense. Especially when now weve met again, you must see that Id make the worst wife in the world.
His jaw hardened. Dont flatter yourself, Pen. I got over any youthful pique years ago.
She wasnt convinced, although it seemed out of character for Cam to be such a poor loser. Mostly hed won their various games, but if he hadnt, hed taken defeat in good spirit.
Well, stop harking back to it, she snapped.
Im offering you a ring. Im inevitably reminded of the last time I did that.
Her heart lurched with futile longing. If hed offered love along with the ring, theyd have been married nearly a decade. Gracelessly she shoved the ring onto her finger. Life was easier when I traveled alone.
Her heart lurched with futile longing. If hed offered love along with the ring, theyd have been married nearly a decade. Gracelessly she shoved the ring onto her finger. Life was easier when I traveled alone.
Stow it, Pen. Were together until we reach home soil. Youre always cranky when you lose. He settled into his seat, folding his arms across his powerful chest. His black superfine coat was so beautifully cut, it didnt strain against the movement. The boy shed known had been quick and strong, but nine years had turned Cam into a man ready to take on the world and win.
I havent lost, she said coolly. Ive retired to regroup.
More displeasure blasted her way. Hed perfected the crushing effect of his stare since their last meeting. Dont cross me on this, Pen. I promised Peter Id get you to England.
She strove to remain uncrushed. What happens when we arrive? Will you dog my footsteps until I perish of old age? Or irritation, which is more likely.
His smile held no amusement. Once youre safely home, as far as Im concerned, you can go to the devil.
Chapter Six
Chetwell House, London, February 1828
Harry marked the moment that Sophie slipped from the crowded ballroom. Hardly surprising when hed observed her every move.
All week, hed waited impatiently to catch her alone. The burning need to speak about something more significant than the weather had built until it threatened to explode.
The night theyd met, hed obtained a formal introduction. Hed managed a country dance and a schottische with her sincequite a feat when she rapidly became the toast of London. During their dances, hed confined himself to platitudes. Hed had to be satisfied with touching her hand and delighting in the shy attraction glittering in her blue eyes.
Tonight, neither the watchful marquess nor Lord Desborough attended. Under other circumstances, Harry might admire Leaths protectiveness. In worldly terms, an undistinguished younger son from a ramshackle family was no fit match for the Marquess of Leaths sister. But surely Sophie should marry a man who adored her, rather than one who treated her as Desborough did, like a pretty pet to fuss over or ignore at his whim.
Harry didnt move in Desboroughs exalted circles. But he had eyes and a brain, however rarely hed exerted it. While he discerned no dislike between Sophie and the man touted as her husband, he discerned no genuine attraction either.
Damn it, she deserved better.
Whether she deserved Harry Thorne, well, that was her choice.
Harry tracked Sophie into the gallery. The long room faced the gardens with doors open onto the terrace. Fortunately, for February, it was a mild night, but even so, away from the crush, he shivered in the chill air. At the far end of the room, a couple he didnt know bent their heads toward each other.
Sophie paused before a portrait of a bewigged, double-chinned gentleman. She looked beautiful tonight in rose silk and with pearls tangled in her upswept hair. Harry stopped a few feet away, waiting until the couple wandered into the garden without sparing him a glance.
You followed me, Sophie said, without turning.
What point prevaricating? Yes.
As hed stalk a skittish animal, he edged closer. He stared at her vulnerable nape, wanting desperately to kiss her there. Wanting to kiss her everywhere.
It was too soon.
Still she didnt glance back. My brother warned me against you.
Did the bastard, by God? What did he say? Harry kept his voice soft. He and Sophie might be alone, but they were still in public.
That youre a fortune hunter.
He laughed dismissively. You know Im not interested in your money. While hed love to see her face, there was a delicious suspense in standing so near, catching the soft drift of her fragrance, flowers and beautiful girl.