Page 32 of Again, Scoundrel

The least he could do was explain why he’d done what he’d done. He’d seen the look of hurt that passed through her bright blue eyes when he’d called for the surgeon, and he hated knowing he’d caused it.

“Miss Goodwin!”

She didn’t seem to hear him, so he picked up his pace. With his long legs, he could catch them if he hurried.

“Miss Goodwin!” he tried again, and when she still did not hear him, he broke into a run.

Alistair cursed the anxiety burning in his stomach and the crowd of coachmen and horses that blocked his path.

“Miss Goodwin!”

The two women were nearly to their carriage now. He could see the insignia of the Earl of Chester emblazoned on its side. They stopped in front of it, and Catherine raised a hand in greeting to the footman as he placed the stepping block for her.

“Miss Goodwin!” he bellowed once more in desperation, and this time he was sure her blonde head tilted up as if she’d heard him.

But she didn’t acknowledge his calls. She only shook her head a little as he’d noticed she often did, making her golden curls bounce, and then she followed her cousin into the carriage.

Bollocks!

He ran faster, catching the vehicle just as the footman was climbing onto the dais behind the seats.

“Wait!” Alistair called to the coachman, who paused the flick of his reins that would set the horses in motion.

“Yes, gov?” the man asked, but Alistair was already rushing to the back where the footman was in place. In one swift movement, he stepped onto the back rail, grabbed the footman by the lapels, and deposited the young man on the ground. And then Alistair, in full evening attire, took his place on the footman’s dais.

“I’ll explain it to your mistress,” he called over his shoulder as the carriage began to move forward once again.

“This certainly has been an exciting evening,” Catherine said as she and Violet settled in for the ride home.

“That it has.” Violet closed her eyes. “I don’t know how it went so pear-shaped. Although I was right about this dress.”

Catherine leaned out the rear-facing window slightly with a puzzled look on her face.

“You were,” she agreed, and her brow furrowed for a moment. “There is something you weren’t quite right about, though.”

“And what might that be?”

“Lord Alistair’s interest in you, cousin. I don’t believe you can ignore it.”

“Really, Catherine. Not that again. I don’t wish to discuss the man any longer.”

“That’s a shame,” Catherine said. She craned her head again and then gave a satisfied nod. “I’m not sure you’ll be able to help it though.”

“I don’t mean to be rude because I understand you mean well. But I’m tired from this evening’s events. Could we share some silence for the ride home?”

“Absolutely,” Catherine agreed with eyes that were dancing with far too much mischief.

“I hardly dare ask what’s gotten into you.”

“Nothing at all.” Catherine smiled sweetly. “I thought we were riding in silence?”

“We are,” Violet muttered, while the carriage rolled on.

Chapter

13

“We’re home,” Catherine announced as the carriage pulled to a stop.