“No,wedid it, and I could not be prouder of you.” Ever so lightly, his lips brushed against her brow, his voice a soothing rumble. “You are amazing.”
Warmth spread through her body from neck to knees. It was wonderful the way his arms pulled her close. Irresistible, really. She rested her cheek against his shoulder, breathing in his earthy scent, surprised at how right it felt to give in to this man’s embrace.
“What is going on here?” The thunderclap of a booming voice cleaved the sweet moment in two.
Eva jolted away from Bram, whirling as she did so. Just past the basket stood Mr. Blackwood with another somber-coated man at his side. Each held lanterns. Both looked like monsters from the way the shadows elongated their features.
Mr. Blackwood lifted his light, the blue of his eyes as sharp as a kitchen knife as he studied her. “Miss Inman? Mr. Webb? Can it be?”
Behind her, Bram stepped closer. Just knowing he was at her back kept her from swooning. Of all the times and places for the reverend to show up.
“I—” She cleared her throat, willing words to flow. “I am as surprised to see you here, Mr. Blackwood.”
“This is highly improper!” he spluttered.
“I could not agree with you more.” Bram chuckled as he unlatched the basket door. He alighted the few inches to the ground, then offered her his hand. The grip of his warm fingers did much to right a world that was quickly falling apart.
The fellow next to Mr. Blackwood glanced amongst them all. “You are acquainted with each other? How very peculiar. But do tell, why have you chosen to land here in St. Andrew’s Green, sir?”
“It was more a necessity than a choice.” Bram doubled back to the balloon to retrieve the tether rope.
Mr. Blackwood shook his head. “And here I thought to escape all the madness of Bonfire Night.” At length he lowered his lantern, which was a mercy and a fright, for now the features of his face once again stretched in macabre shadows. “I am afraid I shall have to cut short my visit, Mr. Tanbridge. Miss Inmanhere is a member of my parish, and I will not see her reputation tarnished any further than it already is. If you wouldn’t mind having your boy harness my horse and give my thanks to your wife for such a hearty meal?”
“Straightaway, Mr. Blackwood. Until next time, Godspeed.”
As the man retreated, Eva dared a step closer to the formidable reverend. “I assure you, Mr. Blackwood, nothing untoward happened between myself and Mr. Webb. The balloon broke loose, and we landed here. That is all there is to it.”
His intense gaze drilled into her like the eyes of God, yet he said not a word.
“Pardon, Mr. Blackwood.” Bram stepped between them. “Could you hold this rope for a moment? If I do not tie down this balloon, it could take off again.”
Without waiting for a reply, Bram shoved the thick length of cording into one of the man’s hands, then strode away.
The reverend frowned, then ever so slowly, he pointed to her head. “You are about to lose your crown.”
“Oh.” She yanked off the ridiculous tiara and patted her hair, tucking what wild strays she could. “I must look a fright.”
“As you well know, Miss Inman, vanity is a sin ... amongst others.”
She gritted her teeth. He’d been suspicious of her and Bram ever since the dig had begun, for he’d warned her every Sunday to beware of what iniquity might be crouching at her door. That without a father or elder brother in the home to supply her with counsel, she might fall prey to the charms of Mr. Webb. Though she’d denied any impropriety, it seemed no matter what she said, there was no way to please the man. Must he be so harsh?
“I realize, Mr. Blackwood, that as a member of your parish, you are only doing your duty to look out for me. I appreciate that. I truly do. And yet a gentler approach would be better received by me, and no doubt would as well by other sheep of your flock. Was not Jesus a tender shepherd?”
“Not when He was flipping over money tables.”
Thankfully it was dark enough that he’d not note the roll of her eyes. He always had an ominous rejoinder at the ready. Was that why her father had warned her against him? To protect her from verbal lashings? Could be, but deep in her belly, she suspected there was something more to it. What, exactly, she had yet to discover.
Moments later, grunts and heaves traveled on the air. Bram rolled an enormous rock their way, stopping just beyond the reverend.
“Thank you.” He collected the rope, then tied the thing securely around the boulder. “With that tether—and barring any winds, of course—this ought to hold very nicely until the balloon master can get here. How far are we from Royston?”
“A little over two miles. I should have you back to town within the hour.” The reverend turned on his heel toward a black carriage and an even blacker horse being led by a young lad.
“All’s ready, Mr. Blackwood,” the boy called.
The reverend merely gestured for Eva and Bram to follow.
“He is as dour as he is on Sundays,” Bram whispered.
