“You must be careful,” she chastised herself.
Lord Graham, upon initial encounters, had appeared both kindly and unassuming, but Freya now knew better. He wasa man who assisted a government many of his fellow Scots despised. She glanced down at her lap, where her hand rested and unconsciously curled her fingers into her palm once more. “How can I miss what I never had?” she asked herself. “How can the heat of his skin against mine create such a bond of understanding and such longing to know it for the remainder of my days?”
She sighed as His Lordship reappeared outside of the local constable’s office. He was walking back to the carriage, followed closely by what must be the person in charge. Freya supposed some women only cared for His Lordship’s reported fortune, but she thought that she saw him for much more. He was a man loyal to his family—first and foremost—a man who would do all that was necessary for those he cherished. What she had found most attractive about him was, despite the turmoil he had known as a child, he smiled often. Freya could not recall the last time her father smiled beyond the pleasure in holding down his fellow man—beyond Lord Iain Cunningham proving himself superior. Not the good works he had executed for others, but the need to appease his ego was her father’s motivation.
Freya noticed how His Lordship’s limp was more pronounced as he circled the coach while Mr. Jamison assisted the man whose position was to enforce the law. Not for the first time, she wondered what had caused Lord Graham’s injury. When he thought no one noticed the continual pain skittering across his features, he sometimes grimaced. Otherwise, he reeled it in. She wondered what ritual he used to alleviate himself of the pain and if the ritual was equally as painful. Did he use some sort of medication to lessen the pain? Opiates? She thought Lord Graham was not the type even to consider opiates. He would cut off the leg first. She found herself smiling at the idea of his stubbornness just as he stepped upon the coach’s ladder.
“Everything is settled,” he told her. “Mr. Jamison will place your luggage on top, and we may continue.”
“Is it not necessary for me to speak to the officer?” she questioned.
“I told Mr. Littleton that you are my cousin. I thought it best that your father not know of the incident, so I told the constable that I had both witnessed the crime and prevented the thief’s escape.”
“You have been very good to me, my lord,” she said dutifully.
Within minutes, they were again on the road. This time, she was on the forward-facing seat and he on the other.
“Would you find it disagreeable,” he asked as he rubbed his knee with an open palm, “if I placed my leg on the seat where I might tend it? I know it isbad ton, but without the treatment, I will be sorely unable to meet my obligations tomorrow. I would not wish to disappoint Thompson.”
“Would it be of service, my lord, if I…” she began.
He sighed heavily. “I am a man known for his great restraint, Lady Freya, but just the idea of your hands… well, I can honestly say, I am not strong enough to disregard the urge to pull you into my arms and…”
Freya knew she blushed, but she did not think he could tell for the inside of the carriage was dark beyond the small lantern. She, after all, was a redhead, but she wished to wiggle in delight at his compliment of her person. His Lordship was not as immune to her as she once feared. “I shan’t complain, my lord. Take care of yourself first and foremost.”
Again, Freya didnot know where they were when the sound of carriage wheels on cobblestones woke her. She had not even realized she had fallen asleep. Stiffly, she pushed herself upwardon the bench seat and looked around as she straightened her gown before reaching for her hair. “Where are we?” she asked as she looked out the window at the stately manor coming into view once the coach curved around the lane.
“Thom Manor,” Lord Graham replied as he placed both feet on the floor of the carriage and straightened the cut of his coat.
“I thought you meant to see me to my aunt’s home,” Freya said with a slight frown.
“Naturally, such would be easier, but not necessarily wiser. We will go inside, and, in that manner, you will be able to say honestly that you spent time overnight with your new friends and that you waited for a reasonable hour on the clock before you called upon your dear relative.” He reached for the door and set down the steps once they rolled to a stop. “I do not wish for you to lie to your relations, but, in such matters, one only needs to provide enough information to satisfy the truth.”
A butler and a footman were waiting on the entrance step before which the coach had rolled to a stop. The butler held out a hand to support both, first, her, and then Lord Graham on the steps. “Good morning, my lord. Lord Thompson will be glad to greet you. His Lordship was worried you had encountered trouble on the road.”
“Only a bit,” Lord Graham said as he stepped down stiffly. “I came across Miss Whitchurch’s friend, who required my assistance. Is there anyone up yet?” His Lordship turned to offer Freya his arm.
“Lord Thompson, Miss Whitchurch, and Mrs. Thompson. They always rise before the others,” the butler replied.
“Good.” Lord Graham said with a nod of approval. “Send my bags to my quarters. Set Lady Freya’s aside.” He turned to the footman. “Are you serving me again, Mr. Dideon?”
“Yes, my lord,” the man replied smartly, his shoulders straightening with pride. “Assuming such pleases you, sir.”
Lord Graham instructed, “Once I speak to Lord Thompson and arrange for Lady Freya’s safe travel to Mr. Turner’s vicarage on the Rayland side of the village, I will require a hot bath. My leg is suffering terribly.”
“I understand, my lord. I will see that everything is prepared properly.”
His Lordship turned their steps towards the entrance, and Freya fell in beside him. “I apologize, my lord,” she said softly. “I did not mean to cause you actual pain.”
“You did not,” he said in equal quietness. “Up until late last evening, I was performing as an agent for the Home Office among some of those who would wish to overthrow our government. I did not have time to treat my leg properly before I set out on the road. That was my choice—a choice I would gladly make again in order to protect you, my lady. I am glad to have been of service to you and to have spent time with you without interruption.”
She looked up in alarm. “I am pleased to be in your company, as well, my lord, but I never realized the depth of your role in the Home Office. Is such work dangerous?”
“It can be,” he warned under his breath. “I am trusting you with my secret, Lady Freya. Beyond the family and those employed by the Home Office, no one else knows.”
Freya studied him carefully. “Why would you tell me?”
“Because I trust you,” he said simply.
