Yes, they liked him. Her Mama had always welcomed him with a smile, Ashe had called him friend since they were both very young, and he’d pretty much made Forest Grange his second home. So this entire matter of their pretend marriage might cause some concern, but they’d understand how vital it had been in order to save Harry’s life.
She crossed her fingers, just in case.
“You’re very quiet.”
His words jerked her from her thoughts. “Am I? I apologise.”
“No need. It surprised me, that’s all.”
Willow raised an eyebrow. “Really? Why?”
He chuckled. “In my experience, most young ladies find an endless flow of chatter to be most pleasing.”
She snorted. “You have been associating with the wrong young ladies, then. I know more than a few who enjoy a lively discussion, but also aren’t afraid of silence.”
“You’ll have to introduce me, then.” He grinned.
Willow didn’t. “I don’t think I’ll be able to do that,” she answered with a sigh. “We must settle our business first, before we think about re-entering our ordinary world.”
“It’s been a long time since I even thought about that world,” he mused. “To be honest? I do not miss much of it at all.”
“What has your world been like, then, Harry?”
He shook his head. “Challenging. Difficult a lot of the time, and yes, dangerous once or twice.” He crossed his legs and frowned as he tried to get more comfortable.
Willow pulled one of the cushions from the back of the carriage and put it next to her. “Here. Rest your foot and ankle. Just for a few moments.”
“Ahhh…” he sighed with relief as he followed her suggestion. “Thank you.”
“You were telling me of your world…” she reminded him.
“Was I?” He glanced at her with a smile. “Very different to yours, Willow, I can assure you.”
“But there were horses…?”
“Oh yes. There were almost always horses. The French have some lovely breeds, I must say. Were the times a little different, I might have bought one or two for my own stable. I’ll wager they’d breed some amazing racers.”
The carriage bumped, making him wince as his foot rose and fell.
“I would guess we might be at our first stop?” She leaned forward to peer from the window. “I see what looks like a few buildings ahead.”
“Good. I think I’m about ready to admit I’d like to sit in a chair that doesn’t move for a few minutes.”
“We’ll make sure that happens, don’t worry.”
“I won’t. I have every confidence that my wife will arrange everything to my liking.” A teasing smile settled around his lips as he spoke.
Willow’s heart gave a little ping, but she managed to return his smile with one of her own. Even though, at that moment, she understood that she might well have created a mess from which she would not escape unscathed.
The inn was small but clean and efficient, and their driver reassured Harry that he had his directions and could easily change horses when necessary.
Willow wondered at that, but when they set off again after their brief stop, he seemed to sense her curiosity.
“Mrs Smithers is an astounding woman,” he chuckled. “Not only does the driver know the way to town, but he has some sort of paperwork that gets us a fresh team if and when we need it.”
“Good heavens,” Willow remarked. “I wonder how she managed that?”
“I don’t know, and the driver didn’t, either.”
