Page 44 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

However, he was just about to ignore his earlier concerns and accompany Georgie inside for an ale when the driver arrived and announced that it was time to board the coach.

“Where are the others?” Damian asked. Mail coaches were always full.

“There are none. Just you two.”

“Are you certain?” He thought they had been lucky to obtain passage first in Southampton, and then to Liverpool on such short notice since passage was often secured days, and sometimes weeks, in advance.

That was also something he had been careful not to tell Georgie, given she grew agitated waiting to learn if they would be leaving that night.

“It is unusual, but there will be no other passengers leaving from this inn.”

That didn’t mean that others wouldn’t be picked up at the other coaching inns and the mail coach could have passengers aplenty when they next stopped.

*

Georgie took the seat she had occupied once before and Damian sat across from her.

As the coach pulled away, Damian blew out a sigh but said nothing.

This was uncomfortable.

Even though they had been practically living in each other’s pocket, their conversations often involved how they would travel or planning for what they would do next. They had rarely spoken of anything else. Well, other than when he claimed that wine was in his blood.

Now it was just the two of them, sitting on opposite benches, and having nothing to say.

Was this how the next twenty-four hours would be?

It was probably best if they did not speak since they tended to argue, or at least he tried to tell her what to do.

He turned his head to glance out the window, not that there was much to see. It had grown dark and the small lamp just inside the door did not offer enough illumination beyond the carriage, but it did bathe the interior and she was able to admire Damian’s profile. Straight nose and high cheekbones casting shadows at the side of his face, firm and disapproving lips. Even his clothing bespoke of power and privilege. When they had first traveled from Southampton, he was dressed as every other man, in brown trousers, suitcoat and waistcoat. Understated and nothing that would draw attention. However, this evening, he had changed when he prepared for his travels and now wore buff trousers tucked in the hessian boots, blue-and-cream waistcoat and darker-blue suitcoat. Beneath her wore a white linen shirt with a simple, tucked away cravat. However, she still preferred how he had appeared when they first met, simply wearing trousers and a shirt, open at the neck.

Goodness, he was a fine specimen of a man. No wonder those two women yesterday had openly admired his form, as she was doing right now.

There was strength in Damian from his jaw to the cords in his neck, his arms, and she recalled the muscles in his chest when they first met. It really was a shame that they did not get along, or maybe it was for the best because she could not recall being so physically attracted to anyone in a very long time. In fact, after her last failed relationship, Georgie didn’t expect to experience longing again.

It was wrong, especially when she should be worried about her sister, which she was, but if Georgie did not find something else to occupy her mind, she would worry herself sick.

With those thoughts she reached into her satchel and retrieved the book she had purchased yesterday then scooted closer to the lamp so that she could read.

“Is it still riveting?” Damian asked after they had ridden in silence for nearly half of an hour.

“Enthralling,” she lied.

“Truly?”

Georgie closed the book. “No.”

Damian chuckled. “Then why continue to read it?”

“Because you were staring out the window.”

“I apologize. It was rude of me.”

It was, but she did not tell him so. “You are not here to entertain me, but as my self-appointed guard.”

“I prefer to be your guide since you are unfamiliar with England.”

“You are unfamiliar with Liverpool, yet that is where we are going.”