Page 56 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

Bloody hell!

He needed to find Georgie’s sister as soon as possible and before he entertained any more thoughts of seduction because if they were not separated soon, he just might act on his desires.

“Ah, you do.” She grinned. “That blush is nearly as complementary as the reticule.”

Bloody hell!

“Hurry up,” he grumbled as she withdrew her funds from the bottom of her satchel, while he made note that there were not that many notes but there were coins. He just could not tell how much she carried. She then placed her money into the reticule and pulled the drawstring closed and slipped it onto her wrist.

“Are you happy now?”

“I will be happy when we reach Liverpool,” he muttered as he stood, irritated with himself for wanting her even though he knew that she could not be his.

Besides, such action would require a more permanent relationship and he had only known Georgie for four days.

Four days since she snuck off his ship!

They might not even suit, therefore it was better to just keep his thoughts and desires to himself or be damned in the future.

*

Damian was correct about the reticule being easier to protect her funds, but she would not tell him so. It was also pretty, light blue, as was his waistcoat, with ecru lace, and did match his eyes. The two she had at home were more serviceable and more of a drawstring pouch than a fashionable accessory.

She was also happy to have it since it would accompany her back to Italy and whenever she saw it, she would be reminded of the time she chased her sister across England with likely the most handsome man she would ever meet.

Oh, he was more than handsome and simply being in his presence warmed her down to her core and she wanted to experience so much more with Damian than riding in a mail coach.

What would it be like to…

No. She would not finish that thought. She was in England to find Grace, not take a temporary lover.

When they reached the coaching inn, there were too many people gathered inside to wait on food and Georgie knew that they would not be fed.

Her stomach grumbled because it had been hours since she had dined in London.

Damian had only stopped at the door long enough to look inside then led her to another bench not far from where the mail coach was stopped and placed his satchel between them. He first withdrew a boiled egg.

She had forgotten that Cook had prepared foodstuff items for their journey.

He handed Georgie an egg and she broke and discarded the shell before she took a bite.

“I will return in a moment.”

She nodded because her mouth was full and it would have been rude to speak, though she found it surprising that he would leave her alone.

Georgie looked inside the satchel to see what else Cook may have packed. There was another bottle of Wynd Wine at the bottom, more eggs, bread and rolls, and dried meats. All looked appetizing, but she wanted something to drink more than she wanted to eat, but not wine. That would not satisfy her thirst.

Just as she was to decide if she should eat a piece of bread, Damian returned with two pints of ale and handed her one. It was exactly what she needed and she nearly drank half of it before she returned to the food items in the satchel and took a piece of dried meat and bit into it. There was saltiness and it was tough, as most dried meats were, but it would suffice for their current situation. Heaven knew she had dined on enough dried meat while she was hiding on his ship.

“Everyone is preparing to board.” Damian nodded to the mail coach.

She quickly finished her last bite then drank the rest of the ale.

He took the two empty tankards. “Save me a seat.”

She most definitely would since she did not want to be stuck between two strangers while he was as well, especially if two beautiful women sat on either side of Damian.

Georgie lifted the satchel of foodstuffs, her own, and allowed her new reticule to dangle from her wrist as she walked to the mail coach then stepped inside. The seats she and Damian had occupied were still available. In fact, she was the first to sit then placed the satchels in the place where Damian would be.