Page 26 of Sir Andrew and the Authoress

A few tears had escaped her eyes. Whether they were born of frustration or hurt, he did not know. But despite all their years of antagonizing one another, he had no wish to see her cry. Especially now, when they were not the frustrated tears of a child caught in a wrong act. These were the tears of a woman, coming to terms with her place in the world and the danger around her.

He kept his tone soft when he spoke again, but they bore no less weight than before. “What would your family do, your father and mother, if someone hurt you?” What would he do if something awful befell her?

Josephine sniffled. “You are right. Of course.” Did it pain her so much to say those words aloud? He nearly asked. But with her admittance, he had much rather have peace between them.

So instead of grinning and insisting she repeat those rare words, Andrew brushed her cheek with his thumb. “If you need to sneak off again, tell me. I would rather play your shadow and keep your secrets than see harm come to you.” The sincerity with which he said those words momentarily surprised him.

Keep her secrets? Where had that promise come from?

The way her dark blue eyes, shining with tears, brightened at the suggestion, caused a knot within his chest to twist almost painfully. But her slow smile kept him from regretting his words. “Do you believe I have many secrets, Sir Andrew?”

They stood close. So close he could count the dark lashes framing her beautiful eyes one by one, if he wished. The tilt of her lips conveyed both humor and a certain vulnerability—unless he imagined it.

He had to be imagining it. When had he ever seen Josephine vulnerable? The chit had more power in her little finger than all other women of his acquaintance.

But that was precisely the problem, wasn’t it? A duke’s daughter wasn’t brought up to fear much of anything.

What had they been speaking of? Andrew swallowed, but uncertainty closed his throat and arrested his tongue. The world went still around them, the only sound the rush of his pulse in his ears, her soft breath, and the patter of rain upon the leaves. Her smile melted away into a frown of puzzlement.

They had stood still for too long.

A drop struck his wrist, another fell upon her nose, and quite suddenly, they were in the deluge. A cold, swift fall of rain broke through the fog of his thoughts. Andrew drew back from Josephine at the same moment he looked up at the ominous gray clouds.

“We have run out of luck, it would seem,” he grumbled. Honey knickered as though in agreement, though the horse could not possibly understand the sudden confusion of his thoughts. Why was he so disappointed his interlude with Josephine must end?

He would much rather be irritated she kept them out long enough to be caught in the spring rain.

Josephine held her arms out. “A fine fettle we’re in now, sir.” She looked from his horse up the hill. “We will be wet to the bone before we make it back to the castle.” Her tone implied she held him responsible for their circumstance.

“If you would have returned home when I asked—”

She cut him, scoffing. “Asked? You know very well you commanded I return.”

“I wouldn’t dare command you, Josie. We both know you outrank me.” He flashed her a grin he knew she would find irritating, and given the way her eyes narrowed at him, he was precisely right. “I still hold this is your fault, but I will be gentlemen enough to find a solution.”

“Before my bonnet is entirely ruined, if you please.” She cocked one eyebrow up at him, and he chuckled.

Considering the way the path wound around the hill, with canopies of leaves not entirely covering it, they were going to get wet. How long they remained that way was the only thing within his control.

“There is nothing for it, Josie. If we ride double on Honey, we will make better time than walking. That will get you out of this rain before you catch cold.”

Her lips turned down with dismay. “Ride double? I have never—”

“Well, you are about to.” He mounted as easily as he drew breath, then looked down at her and held out his hand. “Come along. It will be easier if you do not give it much thought.”

“Is that your philosophy for life or merely your horsemanship?” she asked, the words tart and disapproving.

“We can stand here in the rain and argue, or we can bear each other’s company for the brief time it takes to ride up this hill. Either way, we will not have a dry stitch of clothing before we are home. How long you remain in your wet dress is up to you.”

Her mouth fell open. “My clothing, wet or dry, is none of your concern.”

Andrew groaned and looked up to the sky, wondering why his friend couldn’t have a more sensible sister. “Josie, as entertaining as this is, please get on the horse.”

“Riding double isn’t good for Honey,” she said, sounding somewhat less reluctant than before.

Though she was right, of course, there would be little danger to the animal given the short distance required for the mare to travel. “Just this once will not harm her. I promise.”

She huffed. “I suppose this is the best option.” She approached but did not take his hand. “I cannot ride sideways behind you. I will certainly fall off as we go uphill.”