AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Only if you promise to call me ‘William,’” he replied.
“Well, yes then,William,” I let his name slip along my tongue easily. He offered a lopsided grin, eyeing my hands cupped around the tea.
“You were asking?”
What was I asking?
“Oh! Yes! I apologize, something about your eyes. They’re rather distracting.”
“I assure you, you yourself can be awfully distracting.”
“William,” I purred, “I am curious, and I hope you will indulge. Would you mind explaining to me why you were out riding in such horrible weather? I mean, on the night you found me, that is.” I tried to seem pleasant and detached, unsure if it was conveyed accurately. William raised an eyebrow, inhaling deeply through his nose.
“Forgive me, I assumed you’d heard the conversation I had with Mr. and Mrs. Abbott that night. I was running to town for a quick errand.” William's smile was deceiving and almost mischievous.
“Yes...” I drew out the word carefully, “What about when you got me out of my carriage? I did not see a horse anywhere. How do you explain that?” I sipped my tea, watching his face intently. His features shifted, becoming grave.
“I am actually very displeased, as I am sure you can imagine, but it seems when I jumped off my horse, it became spooked and ran away before I could place you on him.”
“Do you mean to tell me that you were without your horse the entire time you carried me to my house?” Suspicious, I raised my eyebrow.
“Yes,”
“I am certain, Mr. Blackwell, that we were more than five miles from my home. How did you manage to carry me five miles in mere moments?”
“We were but a few paces from the estate, Miss Abbott, don’t be absurd.” William furrowed his brow, pouring into my eyes.
“I'd like you to leave me, Mr. Blackwell.” I straightened my spine, setting my tea on the tray of the nightstand.
“What? And why is that?” He was shocked, his lips parted in disappointment. Those lips, how would they feel against my skin…
“You obviously are not going to tell me the truth, you must think me a stupid girl. I assureyou, Mr. Blackwell, I am not. I know how far away Samuel and I were from the estate and something more is going on here. So, please—if you continue to lie—you may leave.” I motioned toward the door, hoping my own confidence did not falter.
“I am not lying, Rose.”
I glared, surprise filtering into irritation, only my parents and Ursula called me ‘Rose.’
“You were very close to your home, and I am hurt by the fact that you do not trust me. Good evening.” He rose and walked nimbly to the door.
God damn me!
“William,” I whispered, panic rising at the thought of him leaving. Had I grossly overstepped? He pivoted to face me, his hands in his pockets once more.
“Yes?”
I changed my mind and asked a different question, “Do they know what happened to Sam?”
William rushed beside me, leaning on the floor next to the bed, his face level with mine; so close again, my eyes drifted to his lips.
“Your father has not told you?”
I shook my head, sorry that my nose was stuffed up because I knew he smelled so delicious. He looked down and laughed humorlessly.
“Tell me,” I murmured, my hand gently nudging his chin up so he could meet my eyes. His were guarded again, his lips taunt. I wasn’t sure if the fluttering of my heart was from touching him, or whatever my father was keeping from me.
“It was confirmed this morning, someone killed Samuel and your horse.”
I drew in a sharp breath, shivering as the realization sunk into my bones. My hands grew clammy, slick with dread. Samuel… our dear driver. Our horse…
