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A blast of cold wind hit the carriage, and I drew my tailcoat tighter around me. Bloody hell! This carriage was about as warm and comfortable as a can of sardines. But I should be glad that Mr Ambrose agreed to rent a carriage with a roof for the journey. It had taken quite some time to convince him that being caught in the middle of a snow storm in an open chaise wasn’t a good idea.
Well, as long as it was cold, why not use it to my advantage?
Putting aside my book, I rose. Mr Ambrose showed no sign of noticing that I was moving until I settled myself down on the other bench, right next to him.
‘Mr Linton!’
‘Yes?’
‘What are you doing?’
‘Keeping warm, Sir.’
‘Keeping wa-?’
His voice cut off abruptly as I leant against his hard, muscular side and snuggled into his warmth. Amazing how a man with a heart of ice and face of stone could be this warm.
‘Mr…Linton…’
‘Mmmmh?’
‘I…you…’
I slid an arm around him, pulling him close, and his words drained away. I snuggled closer, revelling in his warmth, and a few minutes later, the world followed his words, slipping away into nothingness.
*~*~**~*~*
‘Mr Linton?’
‘Mmmm…’
‘Mr Linton!’
‘’ts not time to get up yet, Ella… Let me sleep a little longer.’
‘Mr Linton, wake up! We have stopped.’
Blinking, I yawned, dragging in cool winter air. The cold revived me a little - but only a little. Getting up at five a.m. was showing its effects. It was only then that I realised my head was resting in Rikkard Ambrose’s lap. I blinked up at him.
‘Oh. Hello there.’
‘Good afternoon, Mr Linton.’ He nodded to me. His body was as stiff as a board. ‘Your head is lying on my papers. You are obstructing my view.’
‘Then why didn’t you wake me earlier?’
‘I…’ A muscle in the side of his face twitched, and I realised that he had one arm around my waist, holding me against him. He, too seemed to suddenly notice that and let go as if I were on fire. ‘I cannot have you sleep-deprived. I need you at your full capacity when we arrive.’
‘Oh. That’s it, is it?’
He slid out from under me, letting my head thud onto the bench. ‘Yes.’
‘I see.’ Groaning, I sat up straight and pulled the blinds partly aside. ‘Why have we stopped?’
‘The horses need rest. And the rest of us have certain business to take care of, too, I believe.’
I stared at him. ‘Here? You want to hold a business meeting out here, in the middle of the country on the Northern Road? Mr Ambrose, dedication to work is all well and good, but this-’
‘Not business business, Mr Linton. A…well…another kind of business.’
