Page 30 of A Midwinter Wager

Chapter 20

As Fitz orderedthe coachman to continue their journey, he could feel two pairs of eyes boring into him. They might well be curious—just as he was himself. The only lady he could think of who might be writing to him would be his great aunt Lady Widbrook, possibly enquiring after Cesca’s whereabouts, since she was supposed to be staying with her. But when he looked at the address, the writing was wholly unfamiliar.

He read the letter slowly, struggling a little with the untutored script. Then he folded the paper and let out a slow breath. This was news he wasn’t ready to share with anyone. Yet. Tucking the letter into the inside pocket of his greatcoat, he smiled at Cesca. “There’s nothing here to concern us. But I’ll send a groom with a note for Lady Widbrook the instant we reach Fernley, so she knows you’re safe and back with your papa. I’ll ask her to send your things over too.”

“Assuming we reach there in one piece,” muttered Alicia. “It’s just as snowy now as it was last night and I, for one, am practically freezing.”

“At least we can see where we’re going now,” he replied, “and are less likely to miss the road or end up in a snow drift. If the post boy can navigate the road, then so can a single rider. If Heathcote would rather not send a groom, I’ll collect Hector from Beaulieu and ride over to Mountney Hall myself.”

Cesca squeezed his hand. “I’d rather you didn’t—it’s dangerous. I don’t mean to lose you when I’ve only just got you back.”

“See?” spat Alicia. “You’re already her slave, to be ordered about at will. What a fool love has made of you!”

“On the contrary, I would say it has made a fool of you,” he responded coolly. “Only in your case, you never felt any love for me. Just infatuation. I wonder if you’re even capable of the real thing.”

“You never gave me a chance.” She pouted. “You just shot back to your wretched regiment the minute Papa told you to court me.”

"I'm not interested in crossing swords with you, Alicia. You've done enough damage, and I'm determined you'll do no more. But there's one thing of which I want you to be absolutely certain—I didn't return to my regiment to avoid you. I had a duty to perform, and my family honor to uphold. Though had Cesca asked me to, I'd have stayed in England and duty be damned."

“You’re no better than a coward!”

He blinked at this but recalled the letter in his pocket and felt a golden calm steal over him. The letter was all he needed to ensure his future with the woman he loved. He waved Alicia to silence.

“No more. This discussion can recommence once we’re in conclave with your father, and I advise you not to turn it into a trade of insults, for that will not impress Mr. Heathcote. I propose we make the rest of our journey without speaking.”

He then turned his attention to Cesca and shot her a smile that made her blush to the roots of her hair. Hair that he had dressed for her this morning, in lieu of a maid. He'd fastened her dress up too, as she couldn't reach the hooks on the back. Then he'd allowed his hands to steal over the ripe flesh of her breasts as he ran a series of nibbling kisses up the slender column of her neck.

Was she remembering this morning too, or was that blush for last night? Ye gods! He couldn’t wait to have her in his arms once more. Yet he must put a curfew over his lust to dampen the flames, or he’d put Heathcote in a belligerent mood. He now held the card which could win the game.

But he could play it only once, so he must play it well.