Why had he not removed himself to the opposite squabs?
She attempted to tug herself free of his grasp, but he held firm. “My hands have fallen asleep, my lord. In a few moments, they shall be fine.”
“I am sorry,” he apologized again. “Christ, what a muddle.” His fingers traced over her wrist, sending not just awareness but the sting of pain along with it. “Good God, the rope cut into your skin. You’re bleeding.”
She glanced down to their entwined hands, feeling as if she were in a daze. How could he be so unaffected by this intimacy? Belatedly, she realized that she was, indeed, chafed and bleeding from the binding.
“I shall heal.” Another tug, and she removed her hands from his possession, severing the connection.
“I never intended to do you any harm.”
There was genuine contrition in his voice. She might have felt sympathy for him, were the circumstances less severe.
“The carriage has stopped,” she pointed out needlessly. “I must go inside.”
He dropped the rope to the floor. “I will accompany you.”
More time in his presence, the chance they’d be caught together? She thought not.
“That won’t be necessary, Lord Torrington. I will endeavor to go inside as quickly and quietly as possible.”
“I’ll not allow you to go alone.” His jaw flexed, as if he were determined.
“You’ve caused me more than enough trouble this evening,” she countered crisply, reaching for the latch on the carriage door.
She opened it and made to rush outside, but a lashing rain had begun to fall, and she was wearing only her worn satin slippers. They had been quite dear, and she had been saving them for years now. She could never afford another pair now.
“It is raining and you are hardly dressed for the weather,” Lord Torrington said, gently moving her out of the way to exit the carriage himself.
When he had alighted, he reached for her, his arms open, and she realized he meant to carry her. “Come, Miss Brooke.”
She stared at him, thinking there was no earthly way she could allow herself to willingly be transported in his strong arms again. It was not just scandalous. The temptation was far too much for her to bear.
“It would be unseemly, my lord,” she denied primly.
Rain slashed at his broad shoulders, pelted his handsome face, dashed on the cobblestones below. “I insist. It is the least I can do.”
If he stood there much longer, he would be soaked. His expression was stubborn, telling her he wouldn’t accept her refusal.
“Very well,” she allowed reluctantly, and met him halfway.
He held her tightly to his chest and carried her through the mews. She was newly aware of a stiffness in his gait that she’d failed to take notice of during their earlier departure. But then, she’d been terrified out of her wits. Now she was merely drenched by the rain.
They had nearly reached their destination, and relief was beginning to chase the dread, when a familiar, angry figure raced toward them through the stables, the pique on her lovely face undeniable.
“What is the meaning of this?” the countess seethed.
And that quickly, the dread turned into the knowledge that Elizabeth was imminently going to lose her position as governess.
CHAPTER3
“Iam so sorry for everything that occurred this evening. Pray believe that if I could begin the night anew and change what happened, I would.”
“With the governess,” Eugenia hissed, ignoring his heartfelt apology. “That plump little mouse? I cannot credit it, Torrie. How can she have possibly attracted your attention? And when?”
He winced, the shrillness of her voice making the steadily growing ache in his head increase exponentially. They were alone in the private confines of a small anteroom where he supposed the countess ordinarily welcomed guests. Fortunately, he had persuaded her to cool her ire in the stables and avoid making any more of a scandal than they already had. The governess he’d kidnapped had been dismissed to her chamber, with the irate promise from Eugenia that she would face her reckoning on the morrow.
And here he stood, dripping on the earl’s Axminster, attempting to soothe the anger of the woman he’d been meant to kidnap and thoroughly ravish in his carriage.
