He’d thought to borrow one of the duke’s carriages, but at the last moment decided upon taking his curricle.
The weather would hold off. It had already done so for several days; why would today be any different?
Upon stepping outside, the duchess took one look at the high flyer and swung her gaze accusingly toward him.
He supposed he could have a traveling carriage brought round if she insisted. He’d make her insist, however.
“We’re to travel on this… contraption?” How she managed to inject so many emotions into one sentence, he couldn’t say. Shock, offended indignation, and the one he’d been hoping for… anticipation.
“It’s not as though we’re traveling to London, your grace.” He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing.
Elegant hands fluttered to the top buttons of her coat. Thomas bit down harder when she licked her lips.
“Have you never ridden in a curricle, Duchess?” The sheltered lives of nabobs never failed to surprise him. Had her husband not ever taken her for romantic picnics in the springtime? Had her sons not ever shown off a new vehicle to their mother?
She was shaking her head side to side. “Lucas had one. But no.” She stepped around to the back, seemingly examining the integrity of what he planned to carry her away on top of. “I’ve never ridden in one.”
Without giving her any more opportunities to change her mind, Thomas stepped forward and placed one hand on her slender waist. “Put one foot here, Duchess.” He pointed to a narrow ledge a little over two feet off the ground. When he moved to assist her, she instinctively dropped one hand upon his shoulder.
Her clean scent carried a hint of rose. He’d never appreciated flowery perfume on women before. It had always seemed too strong, overpowering even. But not on the duchess. On her, it was perfect. Subtle. Restrained.
He couldn’t help leaning in for a second whiff as he lifted her the rest of the way to the seat.
She gasped slightly when he did so. She didn’t cry out though. Or complain. She did all things with dignity.
Which gave him cause to wonder…
Rounding the vehicle, he dismissed the groomsman and then alighted the vehicle himself.
He wasn’t sure what he wanted to accomplish today, other than inspect the property. “You’ll want to hold on, Duchess.” He glanced over. “It’s a long way to the cobbles below.”
God, he loved the look of indecision on her face.
“Hold on to what?” She reached around the seat with her gloved hands. She would find no handles.
“To me.” Without giving her the chance to argue, he took up the reins and with a flick of the wrists, and an encouraging “heyo,” set the vehicle in motion. One slender hand grasped his forearm. After a moment, it tucked around his elbow, pulling its person closer to his side.
He inhaled her scent again. Who would have ever guessed one could have such fun with a duchess?
“I could have borrowed a carriage, but I thought we ought to take advantage of this fine weather.” The weather would be a safe topic for now. “Shouldn’t take but less than an hour to make the journey.
“I’m surprised you’re interested in such a property. You’re quite certain you wish to settle down? Doesn’t your business take you out of the country more often than not?”
Thomas watched the road straight ahead, considering his answer. “I wouldn’t think to settle so close to Cecily’s home. She travels up here a great deal. I went riding with Nottingham last summer while we were here for the house party. Apparently, my daughter worries for me. Worries whenever I am out of the country. We came across Talon’s Gate, and the idea struck me that if she thought I was tucked away in a grand estate much of the time, she mightn’t worry so much. It’s far enough away that she needn’t know whenever I leave. Close to her friends so that she might visit me on occasion.” He shrugged. “It seemed a good idea at the time.”
Whereupon the duchess laughed. Bell like sounds of mirth escaped those damnable lips of hers.
He’d not heard her laugh even once since they’d been acquainted.
“I’d wish to know what humor you’ve found in my predicament, Duchess.” He shook his head side to side.
“Oh, Mr. Findlay.” She wiped what might have been a tear from her eye. “Perhaps I oughtn’t find your plan so amusing. It’s just… You are… such a man!”
“And you are only now noticing this about me?” He’d tease her for making such a statement. “I’ve known you to be a woman, a lady, since the first moment I laid eyes upon you.”
Untouchable.
Distant.
