“Theleadermakes the rules.”
“As I believe I told you a long time ago, a team labors in harmony. Why should I assumeyouare the leader?”
“Aside from the obvious?”
“Your swinging male appendage?” She’d heard Cook say that phrase to a footman once. Again, she planted her gaze directly at his crotch…and not entirely to make her point.
Then, suddenly, she understood. Her eyes widened involuntarily. When horses wished to rut—their appendages grew. She cocked her head and stared with greater interest.
“I’mthe leader becauseIhave the carriage.Ihave the money.Iknow the way.”
“We just established I know the way, too. And what makes you think I don’t have money?”
“Do you?”
She laughed. “Do you think I’m mad enough to set off to Scotland without funds?”
“Believe me,” he said roughly. “I haveno ideawhat you’re capable of.”
She considered. “Quite a bit, as it turns out. As a matter of fact, I’m so comfortable with my own competence, I’ll even agree to abide by your rules…at present.”
His right brow shot up. “Thank you?”
“You’re welcome.” She’d follow his rules…until his rules were proven wrong. Which they inevitably would be, of course.
Some consequences were perennial.
She meekly folded her hands in front. “So?”
“If we’re lucky, they’ll be no one in pursuit. You may have taken care of Markham and Bromton, but are you certain Miss Watson won’t mention your change of plans to someone who knows you weren’t in that caravan to London?”
“But no one…” Well, spillikins. She couldn’t rule outsomeonehaving seen her after the caravan departed. And Lizzy—the proprietress of The Pillar of Salt—would notice when she failed to collect her horse for a ride.
“Not completely sure, are you? Well, you had better hope Miss Watson isn’t visited by the good rector before Sunday.”
“Then we had better get on, don’t you think?” She wet her lips. “I’ll take the rail.”
“Oh no you won’t—it’s still raining. We’ll both travel inside the coach, where I can keep an eye on you.”
“I’m not…I mean I don’t…”Blast!She couldn’t tell him she got scared inside carriages on long rides.
“If you’d rather,” he suggested, “I can take you back to Southford.”
“No,” she squeaked. “I’ll manage.”
“If there’s good weather,” he continued, “we’ll travel through the day…and night. If the storm continues, we’ll acquire a suite at nightfall, and I’ll stay outside the door, under the guise I am protecting you.”
She forced a smile. “I feel safer already.”
“When we reach Periwinkle Gate, we’ll have to alter our story…”
“Why? Is Farring’s grandmother acquainted with Katerina?”
“The dowager is not Farring’s grandmother. She’s his grandfather’s second wife.” He paused as if he were making some decision. “And, yes, she and her entire court will know at once you aren’t Katerina.”
Hercourt? “Well,” Julia suggested, “we’ll make another switch. I’ll simply go back to being your footman.”
“No.”
