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“It would be more so if you had to sleep on the open road and arrive in London at Scott’s aunt, the two of you in bloody and ragged clothes.”
She considered this, and said with her head lowered, “Indeed, sir, you are too kind, but if I may point out something, sir?”
“You may.” He absolutely was drawn to this impish woman.
“It will not be seemly, you … being here with us. Won’t it attract undue attention?”
“No. I shall announce myself as a relative, your uncle, in fact, traveling with brother and sister. Quite above board,” he said, grinning broadly.
“You don’t look old enough to be our uncle,” she pointed out and then shyly regarded her toes.
He felt absurdly flattered. “Don’t I? Well, you needn’t worry, vixen, for no one will question who I am.”
* * *
Felicia’s mind was nearly made up. She had observed Ashton’s behavior quite thoroughly and had decided he was not a foe. In fact, not only did she think he meant them no harm, she also knew in her heart that he meant to aid them.
She took it further in her thoughts and decided that she was certain he could and would see them to a happy conclusion.
More than that, she liked him; in fact, she liked him a great deal. He was a bit overbearing—or rather, commanding—but it was very pleasant to put matters into his hands and allow him to handle them. She had been ‘handling’ so much since she lost first her father and then her stepmama, which had made life one endless and daily decision-making ordeal.
His presence exuded an aura of authority, and he seemed to know just what to do without even putting much effort into it.
Besides all that, when she looked at him she felt drawn, physically drawn to him. Everything about him was sensual. His eyes, his lips, his voice—everything made her want to sink into his arms and beg for the safety those arms were sure to give. She also realized that, more than once, she had wondered what it would be like to kiss such a giant of a man … such a handsome and sophisticated and wondrous man.
She was absurd.
Just look, Felicia, how he manages you. Well, yes, and although no one had ever done so before, she found she liked it—a great deal. Indeed, where would she be now, if he hadn’t come along and taken charge?
He broke into her thoughts. “Felicia, Felicia … did you hear me?”
“What? Oh, I am sorry … what did you say?”
“I said that you needn’t worry. I shall handle it all, and you know, any explanation I give will be accepted. Brother and sister will be accepted, and as far as your luggage is concerned, I shall manage that in the morning.”
Luggage? Oh my, but he was right. She sighed. “You are, of course, quite correct.” She thought about this and worriedly asked, “What if someone who knows us, or you, stops by?”
“How far from home are you?”
She could not be so easily taken in. If she answered honestly, he might figure out who she really was. He had Scott’s name already, and he knew they had grown up in each other’s way. If she gave him their direction, he would know everything. She wasn’t ready to trust him that much yet, not yet. She answered carefully, “Tha
t doesn’t matter. Someone might come searching for us, you see. I won’t be taken.”
“I won’t let you be taken. Do not doubt me, child.”
“I am not a—”
“Child,” he filled in and chuckled. “So you tell me, but even so, do let this matter rest with me.”
She got up again and paced. He also got to his feet, and she found his hands, oh, his strong hands, on her shoulders and brought up her gaze to his silver-bright eyes. She heard his intake of breath and wondered at it, and then he said, “I promise you, Felicia, no one shall make you marry anyone without your leave. Will you trust me in that?”
“Yes, I think I will,” she answered, feeling as though he had sucked the breath from her lungs as she trembled in his hold. She was a wretch. How could she keep secrets from such a wonderfully kind gentleman? He must have been on his way somewhere, and he simply abandoned his plans to help her and Scott, but what had she done? She had lied to him, for a half truth was a lie.
A tear formed in her eye as she suddenly felt the weight of the world descend upon her. He took her chin and said, “What? What is this? No tears, beauty. There is no need.”
“You are too, too good,” she said on a sniff.
“Come along,” he answered as he put her at arm’s length. “Time to go up, wash, and get some rest.”
