Unbalanced by her mirth she fell back onto her bottom, jerked at Mr. Dog’s leading string, and managed to bring Mr. Bateman down and onto the wet ground beside her. Oh, but now she was wet and covered in dirt and mud and so was Mr. Bateman, who had rolled to his side and was staring at her in consternation.
Which only managed to make Aubrey laugh harder.
Mr. Dog shook himself a second time and then lay down upon Aubrey’s abandoned apron to presumably dry himself off in the sunshine.
“We’re drenched.” She lay back, closed her eyes and breathed on a sigh once she got her laughter under control. The air was cool, but the sun was warm, and Aubrey couldn’t help but think that Mr. Dog’s idea was a fabulous one. “Mr. Daniels is going to have conniptions over Milton’s coach.” She added.
Only she didn’t really care all that much. She had a pet. She was in the company of a handsome and charming gentleman, and most of all, she was free.
“Mr. Daniels can hang.” Aubrey turned her head to see that Mr. Bateman had followed suit. “At least Mr. Dog will no longer smell like shite.” He turned his head and met her eyes.
Oh, but why had she made him promise not to kiss her?
Because then his company would be improper, she reminded herself.
“I’m glad you chose to travel with me, Mr. Bateman.” She couldn’t keep herself from making the admission. She only wished she knew more about him.
He chose the moment to reach across and brush some tendrils of hair away from her face. “I’m glad too.”
But neither of them moved. They both just lay in the sunshine, staring into one another’s eyes. “Why are you not looking forward to your birthday party?” It bothered her. Had he been estranged from his family? She did not think that he was exactly lying, but she was certain he wasn’t being entirely forthcoming in the significance of his birthday, or of this particular party.
“Ah… Aubrey.” It was the first time he’d chosen to call her by her name. Aubrey swallowed hard, preparing herself for him to tell her to mind her own business… or that he was married… or something as equally devastating to her. “I need to take care of a few matters and my birthdate has become a deadline of sort… but,” he sat up and then dragged her into a sitting position as well. “Neither of us will ever arrive at our destinations if we spend the day laying around in the mud like this.”
He assisted her to her feet and brushed at the dirt on her gown in a most impersonal manner before stepping back and brushing at his own shirt and breaches. He seemed to distance himself from her both physically and emotionally upon making his admission.
“Are you running from the law?” She blurted the question out, terrified in that instance by whatever it was that he was hiding.
“The law?” He glanced up, the accusation having an opposite affect than she’d expected. Rather than seem offended, or angry, his eyes held laughter once again. “I thought we’d established that you were the person more likely to commit murder.”
But he hadn’t answered her question, had he?
And yet. If he was running from the law, would he find so much amusement in her accusation?
“It’s just that… I know so little about you.”
“You’re wrong about thatPrincesse.” He squatted beside Mr. Dog and began drying the dog’s short hairs with her apron. “You know more about me than most, I’ll wager. Think about it and tell me what you know.”
Aubrey watched his hands as he affectionately dried a dog that he’d not met until that morning and that he had no intention of keeping. He loved animals. And if he loved animals, he likely held life in high regard. “You are not a murderer.” She admitted.
“And?” He tilted his head back to meet her eyes.
“You like pastries.” At his smile. “You do not take yourself very seriously, most of the time. You have kept your promise to me, so far. And despite what you’d have me believe, you are an honorable gentleman.” He’d allowed her to have the only available chamber the night before.
“Isn’t that enough,Princesse?”
Her husband had been an upright and respected gentleman. Her mother had known him, and the rector and his sister had vouched for him at their church when they’d married.
He’d turned out to be a mean, miserly and controlling person.
She nodded but then added, “for now.” Because she was beginning to dread the moment when she’d have to tell him goodbye.
Perhaps they could meet again.
Mr. Daniels scowled at both of them when they returned to the carriage. He held up a hand to stop them, climbed into the carriage where he opened the bench seat, removed a blanket that had been stored within, and then spread it out to protect his employer’s upholstery.
This time, when Mr. Bateman climbed into the carriage, he sat beside her.
Mr. Dog curled into a ball on the floor and promptly fell asleep.
