She continued to pout in royal fashion until the horses reached the front steps of the manor. Godric seemed oblivious to the dark scowl she aimed his way. He merely reached up to drag her off the horse and threw her over his shoulder like a sack of grain. He stifled a laugh at her squeak of surprise.
The remainder of Godric’s barbaric treatment she took with a queenly silence, even when the laughter and jeers of the others threatened to shame her a hundredfold over.
“What the deuce happened, Godric? You’re both wet!” Lucien’s voice rang out.
“Emily made another attempt to flee.”
Lucien scowled and fished out a sovereign from his pocket, handing it to Charles.
“Well played, Miss Parr, you’re easier to bet on than the races.” Charles bowed as he pocketed the coin. “If you could arrange for another escape after supper, I’d be most grateful.”
Emily opened her mouth to respond but Godric patted her bottom twice, his hand lingering too long. She kicked out, but it didn’t dislodge that offending hand.
“She’s not going to oblige you, not after she nearly drowned me.”
“Ooh, let me guess—she tried to swim to France?” Smug speculation peppered Charles’s voice.
“Don’t give her any ideas, Charles.” Godric kept walking. The others’ steps joined his.
Emily was tired of watching the parade of boots upside down. She put her hands on Godric’s back and tried to push up a little. Ashton and Charles strutted directly behind her, both smirking. Charles’s eyes lingered on the wet clothes around her breasts.
Charles laughed at the fiery glare she sent him. “Tell us, Emily. What was your plan this time?”
The sudden urge to sock the golden-haired earl on the jaw flamed inside her. So she did—a loose swing of her fist, an easy duck by Charles, followed by more laughter at her expense.
“Don’t rile her. The dear girl was brave enough to jump the bloody wall.” Cedric spoke from ahead of Godric.
“You’re joking! The last time I tried that jump, I fellinto the lake.” Charles’s tone softened with admiration. Emily refused to let that sway her. She’d get her revenge on the earl for his leering.
“That’s exactly what happened to me, but not our dear Emily. Oh no, she only bothered to come back and save me when I fell in and nearly drowned.”
“But you’re a go—” Charles began before someone stomped down on his foot and he cried out in pain.
What? Curiosity broke through Emily’s mood. If she had to hazard a guess it seemed like Charles had been about to say Godric was a good swimmer. If that was true… She balled a fist and struck Godric’s bottom. He rewarded her with a flinch and then he smacked her own bottom in response. Emily wanted to crack each and every one of their heads together. Her wounded pride almost crippled her ability to manage and hide her emotions. She didn’t like the others to laugh at her, not when she fought for her freedom.
Ashton smiled at her. “Emily, I commend you on your courage. Were it not for my loyalty to Godric, I would wish you luck on your future escape attempts. May they be as cunning as your previous ones.”
No hint of mockery reflected in his tone—rather, a soft-hearted kindness exuded his words.It doesn’t matter. He’s one of them. None of them can be trusted.
“And for the sake of my purse, perhaps it could be before supper rather than after,” Lucien added, as if proving her point.
Godric proceeded into one of the many rooms on the ground level and slid her off his shoulder into a large armchair. She clung to Cedric’s overcoat to shield herdamp body from so many male gazes. It intimidated her to have them all ring around her chair, staring down from their formidable heights. She slunk down an inch or two, then tucked her knees up under her chin and turned her face away. Her wet clothes left her clammy and uncomfortable.
“Don’t sulk, Emily.” Ashton stroked her damp hair back from her face. “You are far too pretty for that.”
Humiliation clawed through her, tearing her confidence to shreds. What did she think escaping would have accomplished? Returning to London now would not have fixed anything. Only the desperation to do something, anything to regain control of her situation, drove her to it.
She flattened against the back of the chair, eyeing Godric. He’d promised she would be safe. But trusting him was hard when he merely stood there, watching her with hooded eyes that seemed to transform into a different shade of green each time his mood changed. Reluctantly, she admitted that little fact about him intrigued her.
“We did warn you that these escapes were futile. Don’t be angry at us for being proved right.” Godric rotated her chair so that it faced the fireplace. The others left him alone with her as they took seats at a table on the opposite side of the room.
“Ihadescaped. You tricked me into returning.” Emily glowered at him.
“There. Now, warm yourself up. I will notify Mrs. Downing you’ll need a fresh change of clothes laid out.” He reached over the back of her chair and rubbed herarms up and down, warming her up a little. This touch was different from the others he’d given. It entailed no heady rush of desire, nor did it infuriate or frighten her. He was simply offering her warmth and security in a single unobtrusive touch.
It was the sort of act a good husband would do, give of himself until his wife was well cared for. Emily shut her eyes, unable to fight the daydream of marriage to Godric. Yet as she reached for that kaleidoscope of light that manifested in her mind, reality shattered it. Marriage to him would be a disaster. He was so hot one minute and cold the next, his mood swings gave her a headache and he was far too arrogant. She couldn’t marry a man who thought of himself so highly, it was not an irritation easily borne.
Emily relaxed and sank deeper into the chair, trying to control her shivers. Glass tinkling, and the splash of liquid, caught her attention. Godric had his back to her as he prepared a drink. Exhausted, Emily put up little resistance when he returned to her and held the glass to her lips.
