“Ah. But it was.”
“We both know you could have found other means of avoiding an unwanted marriage. Your motivations in coming to my aid were purely unselfish.”
A humorless laugh escaped his throat. “My motivations for asking you to dance with me were anything but pure, Miss Kent. I am a man, and you should not forget it.”
“Andyoumust not forget that you are not your father. You are your own man, and you can choose a different path.”
Damon stared at me with an unreadable expression. I could not guess his thoughts, but something had shifted between us. Something deep and meaningful and true. I couldn’t be sure when it had begun—at the riverbank or at the pianoforte, or perhaps it had started when he carried me across the mud puddle or even earlier when we danced the quadrille at the Rumfords’ ball. I only knew that it had begun and grown from there.
Damon blinked, and with a shake of his head, he stood and walked to the window. He stared into the darkness as if his thoughts weighed heavy in his mind.
I bit my lip. Had he taken offense at something I’d said? I hadn’t meant any, but even if he had been offended, I could not apologize for speaking truth.
“The rains have ceased,” he finally said. “We must return home with haste.” Damon let the curtain fall closed and moved toward the bedchamber. He knocked lightly on the door, and Mr. Turner appeared in the threshold.
Damon explained our leaving, and Mr. Turner hurried outside to prepare the horses and curricle.
Damon turned to the elder Mrs. Turner, who was awake now but still looked tired. “I’m sorry to ask this of you, Mrs. Turner. I know the hour is late, but we require a chaperone if we’re to avoid ruining Miss Kent’s reputation.”
She nodded her understanding.
“You will have a room with us for the night and be compensated for your generosity.”
“Very good, m’lord.”
Betsy emerged from the bedroom. “I will gather your wet garments and a few things for Mum.” She moved to lay the baby in his cradle, but he let out a barking cry.
“I can hold him,” I offered.
Betsy nodded and handed the bundled baby to me. He was so warm and his cheeks rosy. His breathing was so fast. I’d never held a baby before, but I was sure his little chest wasn’t supposed to rattle the way it did. I rubbed his back through the blanket, and I was glad, if nothing else, that he had a dry home to sleep in tonight.
I glanced at Damon. He watched me with a soft gaze. He didn’t say anything, but he also didn’t look away. Nor did I.
Betsy returned with our things and a shawl for her mother.
I handed the baby to her, then followed Damon to the curricle waiting outside. Damon assisted Mrs. Turner into the curricle first, then me, and finally climbed in himself. It was a snug fit, but I didn’t mind sitting close to him. I even relished his nearness.
Damon clicked his tongue, prompting the horses into motion. It didn’t take long before my eyes became heavy with sleep. I blinked several times, trying to keep myself awake, but it did little good, and I closed my eyes.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Hannah,” a deep voice murmured.
I blinked awake and found Damon smiling down at me.
“We are home.” He brushed hair from my cheek.
Realizing myothercheek rested on his shoulder, I quickly sat upright and smoothed my hair and face. “Forgive me. I must have fallen asleep.”
“Right you did,” Mrs. Turner said. “Nearly as soon as we left the farm. Not that Lord Jennings seemed to mind none.”
Damon gave me a private smile and alighted from the curricle. He handed the reins to the groom, then reached up to help me down. Our ungloved hands touched. His were rough from work, but his hold was gentle. A pleasurable shiver pulsed through me. Did he feel it too?
The butler appeared at the door and quickly descended the stairs to where we stood on the drive. “Are you well, my lord?”
“Quite well, Caldwell,” Damon said to the butler. “Better than I have been in some time. If you will please take our guest inside.” Damon gestured to Mrs. Turner. “And see that she has all she needs for the night.”
“Yes, my lord.” Caldwell bowed politely, then helped Mrs. Turner alight from the curricle. Caldwell guided her around the back of the manor toward the servants’ entrance.
