A breeze blew in as the door closed, sending a shiver through Aubrey. “Are you cold?” Mr. Bateman put one arm along the back of the seat and drew her up against him. She nodded and burrowed deeper.
She shouldn’t feel so comfortable with the entire length of her person pressed up against his. Nor should she feel so alive.
Leaving his arm around her, Mr. Bateman slouched down in the seat to make himself more comfortable before closing his eyes.
“Did you sleep well last night?” Aubrey tilted her head back to look at him.
“Some minx stole my chamber.” He growled, barely opening his eyes to glare at her. “Now hush.” And he tugged her closer.
Riding tucked into the warmth of this handsome man, Aubrey marveled, was far more comfortable than riding alone. How was it possible she could relax against this man when everything about him rocked the precarious balance she’d struggled to maintain over the past year? Before she could analyze her emotions, and her reaction to him, she drifted to sleep.
Feeling more contentment than she’d ever known… in the arms of a stranger.
* * *
Aubrey slept quite restfullyuntil the carriage motions changed when Mr. Daniels turned off the road. He’d be wanting to rest the horses.
Before Mr. Bateman could come awake, Aubrey edged out from under his arm and rubbed at her eyes.
“Embarrassed that you used me for a pillow,Princesse?”
Although he hadn’t once mentioned the negligée he’d pulled out of her trunk, he had apparently not abandoned the delight he took in teasing her.
“Not embarrassed at all,” she kept herself from smiling. “You make for a comfortable bed.”
The word bed, however, elicited the blush she’d thought she could avoid. And she’d done it to herself.
“Horses will need resting.” He leaned forward to peer out her side of the carriage. “So take the time to stretch your arms and legs.” The carriage drew to a halt and after climbing out, Mr. Bateman assisted her onto the ground. She had reached in to get ahold of Mr. Dog, but then couldn’t help calling out before Mr. Bateman disappeared into the stables.
“Shall I procure you something to eat?” It wasn’t as though they were… together, and yet, they’d become something of a team.
He walked backward, caught her eye, and nodded before turning back around to leave her standing alone with Mr. Dog while Mr. Daniels pulled the coach away as well.
Remembering what Mr. Bateman had ordered for breakfast, Aubrey entered the establishment and was just deciding that anything she ordered would be to his liking when her happy little bubble of enthusiasm was burst.
“Don’t bring that mongrel in here. Leave him outside.” A rotund and reddish faced man stepped out from behind the bar, a linen cloth clenched between his fists.
“He’s clean. He’s just had a bath, and he’s trained.” Aubrey clutched Mr. Dog protectively.
“No matter. No dogs allowed inside.” And then the man snapped his cloth in her direction. “You, on the other hand, are most welcome.”
His beady eyes had strayed to the bodice of Aubrey’s gown where Mr. Dog had tucked his head against her breasts.
Before meeting up with Mr. Bateman, Aubrey hadn’t experienced any difficulty at the establishments along their route. There had always been a kindly innkeeper’s wife, or sister to assist her in finding a nice place to dine, or take tea while Mr. Daniels took care of the horses. She’d not had to deal with troublesome guests or unmannerly inn keepers.
She could not allow herself to be easily cowed, however, if she ever wished to truly claim her independence. “I’ll order something to take with me for lunch, and then wait outside.” She lifted her chin, refusing to give into the urge to squirm beneath his somewhat lecherous stare. “Bread and meat and cheese for three, please.”
The barkeep slid his cloth through his hand, as though contemplating his choices. “And if I do something for you, little lady, what are you willing to do for me?”
Just then the door opened up to admit Mr. Bateman, who glanced between the two of them and seemed to understand the situation immediately.
“Why don’t you ask my husband?” Aubrey told the barkeep. “This gentleman was informing me of the price of nuncheon for the two of us and Mr. Daniels. Although he says Mr. Dog isn’t welcome.” She met Mr. Bateman’s eyes with just a little pleading. Of course, he wouldn’t give her away.
He was her friend.
Later, of course, he would take whatever amusement he could from her outrageous claim that she was his wife.
He stepped up so that he stood behind her and placed his arm around Aubrey’s waist. “I’ll take a private dining room, that is if you have one, for my wife and myself… and our dog.”
