Page 19 of Once Ruined, Twice Shy

Damnation, he was rambling now. He’d been so much more composed when he’d proposed to Josephine.

“You have lost someone too recently, Conall. There’s a hole in your life, and you think to fill it with me. That is no basis for a marriage.”

“Wise words, Miss Feelings. You know me better than I know myself. But be in no doubt, my attachment to you is genuine. I only wish I’d found you before that benighted Frederick Ebbworth did.”

She shivered in his arms, then pushed away. “Oh, Conall, can we leave this place now, please? I don’t think I can bear waiting about for Frederick to return.”

“Back to Spyle Court?”

“I don’t know. I’m so confused. What you just offered—I never expected it. I don’t know what to think or do.” She pressed a hand against her midriff, and he feared she was about to faint.

“Of course, we can go. We can go immediately. We can go to my London house if you want to get further away from here. Pack everything you want to take with you. I’ll run down and fetch the coach.”

She gazed up at him tearfully. “Thank you. Please hurry back.”

As he cantered down the stairs, he made up his mind to head for Essex, whether he informed Hestia of that fact or no. Once reconciled with her parents, she would have stability in her life. From that secure position, she could give his offer of marriage due consideration. And he would have already found favour with her parents by restoring her to them. Or so he hoped.

As he ran down the street towards the White Hart, fear almost drove him back again. What if Frederick were to return, and find her there alone? He must make haste. Never again would he allow that man to steal everything he cared about.

Chapter 11

It was late to be setting out on a journey, but the July days were long, so there was every hope they would make Newbury before dark.

Hestia gazed across at her handsome travelling companion, to find him, as she had expected, staring at her again. She shifted uncomfortably, wishing he’d brought a book, or that he’d look out the window, or fall asleep. His constant examination of her filled her stomach with a million fluttering wings.

Conall smiled, the breadth of his grin somewhat at odds with the dangerous air given him by the eyepatch. He’d removed his hat, and dark waves of hair tumbled over his forehead and ears. She wanted to tidy it, brush it back from the masculine brow and ruggedly-cut jaw. But for now, she’d settle for that smile. It made the butterflies in her stomach perform a mad dance, but it was not an unpleasant sensation.

“Are you trying to see into my soul, sir?”

The grin broadened. “Why would a man who only cared about facts want to do such a thing?”

“Then what are you thinking? Why do you stare at me so?”

“I am thinking about what might happen when we get to Newbury.”

They had agreed to stay at Conall’s London residence in the first instance. It had been shut up for the summer, it being an unfashionable time of year to be in the city, but he was confident it could be readied quickly by the staff who remained there. She’d agreed eagerly. London was far enough from Bath for Frederick to have no influence there, and they could sort out their problems without Lady Corsbury’s interruptions. Besides which, Hestia longed to visit the Great Metropolis again. This time, as a woman of full age, in the company of a man of Conall’s standing, she could take time to enjoy the place, instead of being herded hither and thither at speed by her overly-protective parents.

Her thoughts jumped back to what Conall had just said. “What do you mean by ‘what might happen’? We will stop at an inn and change horses, I imagine.”

“We’ll have to overnight at Newbury, Miss Normanton. As they are not expecting us, who knows what accommodation will be available?”

A thrill of excitement skittered down her back. Was he wondering if they’d have to share a room? Perhaps even a bed? But he’d no doubt do the gentlemanly thing and sleep on the settle, or whatever was available.

She laughed at herself. What was the point in being miss-ish when she was already ruined? Though being twice ruined was probably quite a bad thing in the eyes of Society.

“Don’t worry.” His voice was a purr. “I will give it out that we’re married. No one would dare question an aristocrat like myself.”

“But I don’t look like a lady. I have nothing of any quality to wear, and no maid to accompany me. Nor have you a valet. Or any luggage, come to think of it.”

“Mere details. You’ll be surprised how many doubts are assuaged by a show of confidence.”

“I can imagine.”

“Are you saying I’m pompous?” The dark eye looked almost black in the shadowy carriage.

“I shall answer that question once I’ve got to know you better.”

“Which I hope will be very soon.”