Dogs were good. Pets were good. They didn’t have secret issues from their past or a future they couldn’t discuss with you. They simply wanted your love and your warmth and some food.
Aubrey wrapped her arms around the Mr. Dog and pretended she didn’t hear Mr. Bateman slipping out of the tent.
Or that she didn’t hear him stirring up the fire, kicking at some stones.
She must remember that his companionship was only temporary. She had allowed herself to think there might be more, but when they arrived in London, she would be alone again.
They would both say goodbye.
* * *
At the soundof birds chirping, Aubrey opened her eyes and stared at the canvas tarp above her. She would be forever grateful to forget the mortification of the night before. As much as she’d tried to sleep, she hadn’t drifted off until he had returned to the tent and laid down beside her.
“Aubrey.”
“How do you know I’m awake?” She didn’t turn to look at him. She didn’t want him to see the disappointment on her face when he informed her he was going to make the rest of the journey on his own.
“Your breathing changed.”
She swallowed hard. “Please don’t think that you are beholden… If you wish to resume your travels alone, I understand—“
“Can we put last night behind us? Leave it in the past? We have just a few days left together, and I don’t want anything to ruin them.”
“But you were angry—“
“I was… frustrated last night. Please, don’t ask me to explain why.”
This wasn’t at all what she expected. She rolled onto her side and found him propped up on one elbow, watching her. “You are no longer angry with me for kissing you?”
“No.” His lips slowly stretched into a wide smile. “I never was.”
And for the life of her, all she could do in that moment was stare back into his eyes, which looked more blue than gray today. Dark blues, light blues, royal blues… stunning really, with grays and blacks and silver flecks peppered amongst them all.
“You were right, though, when you insisted that we uphold proprieties.” His words flowed over her and she had the feeling all his barriers were down. “So, let’s go on as if nothing happened, shall we?”
Aubrey blinked at his request and thought back to what she’d said when she’d asked him not to kiss her.
“If you kissed me I could not allow you to escort me the remainder of the way to London. It would not be proper… I mean, I know that already, our dealings are likely frowned upon, despite the fact that I am a widow and all, … but… I would judge myself…”
It had been one of the first times she’d perceived that he took her seriously.
“And you are not unhappy at the prospect of traveling with me?”
She’d admitted that she was not. And then admitted that she’d prefer to have his company.
“I rather like your company, too, Mrs. Bloomington.”
“You would arrive in London quicker if you traveled alone. I’m certain you can acquire a mount from any number of the posting stations along this road.” She’d known this for some time now. Traveling with her was no longer necessary. “You needn’t continue to accompany me, if you don’t wish to. I’m certain Mr. Daniels will make sure I arrive at my destination safely… eventually.”
Her heart ached at the thought of their imminent parting, which was absurd, and yet… Over the last few days, for the first time since she was a child, she’d felt as though she had a true friend.
Not that Mrs. Tuttle hadn’t been her friend, but Mrs. Tuttle was in her eighties. Mr. Bateman was close to her own age and he laughed, and he encouraged her, and he was willing to get wet bathing her dog on the bank of a stream…
“Are you trying to get rid of me,Princesse?” She saw a little uncertainty in those blue eyes now.
“No. Never.” Oh, but she would wear her heart on her sleeve with this man.
“Let’s finish this adventure together then, shall we? I have three days yet before I’m expected in Margate. Plenty of time.” His eyes grew dreadfully serious. “It’s nice to just… be. With you.”
