“Heckie can’t hear anything. And even if he could, he knows better than to gossip about the family.”
“Everyonein your household gossips, which is how we ended up betrothed in the first place.”
He muttered something quite shocking under his breath.
For the next several minutes, he kept his attention on the horses before he finally glanced at her. “Are you warm enough?”
“I’m fine.”
“Do you want another lap blanket? We can stop so Heckie can fetch the extra from the boot.”
“That won’t be necessary, sir.”
Victoria had dressed as warmly as possible, wearing two sets of woolen stockings, a pair of walking boots, her sturdiest bonnet, and a long woolen muffler that Kade had insisted on wrapping around her shoulders and neck. Nicholas had then swaddled her in a heavy blanket after procuring a hot brick for her feet.
“Actually, I’m roasting,” she added. “It’s much warmer today, don’t you think?”
The last day or so had been so mild it felt like a spring thaw.
“Too warm. It’s playing havoc with the roads. I hope it doesn’t start to rain or we’ll find ourselves ankle-deep in mud.”
“At least that would slow the others down. If we had to struggle with mud, so would they.”
His only reply was a grunt as he eased their carriage around a cart stuck off the side of the road. When the poor farmer gave them an imploring look, Victoria elbowed the earl. He scowled but pulled off to the side and handed her the reins.
“Apparently, you expect me to rescue everyone today.”
“It’s your job as laird, isn’t it?” she said in a sugary voice.
He snorted, climbing down after Heckie. While it only took a few minutes to get the cart back on the road, both men ended up splattered with mud to their knees.
They drove off with effusive thanks from the farmer.
“Happy now?” Nicholas asked her.
“Deliriously so.”
“I hope we don’t encounter any more unfortunate souls, or we’ll never catch up with my brothers.”
Victoria pretended not to hear.
They made fairly good time after that as they headed north. So, unfortunately, did Royal and the twins, according to information provided by the innkeeper at their first stop. The lads were at least a few hours ahead of them, traveling in two coaches. Despite the size of the party, they’d lingered only long enough to change horses.
“They’re better organized than I anticipated,” Nicholas said.
“Did the young ladies in the party seem well?” Victoria asked the innkeeper.
Distracted by the bustle in the taproom, the publican barely glanced at her as he gathered up dirty glasses from the bar. “What do ye mean, miss?”
“Well, did any of the young ladies seem upset or annoyed?”
The man paused to scratch his nose. “One of the young ladies seemed fairly fashed. She was like to bite the nose off the young fellow with the limp.”
Victoria and the earl exchanged a worried glance.
“Were those two fighting?” she asked.
“Nay. The lady was orderin’ everyone aboot. She had them all leapin’ to her tune.” Then he hurried off to attend to a new set of customers.
