“You made me panic.” He cut into a large piece of lamb. “I’m not used to that.”
“And the rest? Is that something you’re used to doing?”
She watched his pupils as they nearly took up the greenish-brown of his eyes. She’d seen his stare filled with laughter, anger, intelligence, and effortless charm, but she’d not seen this before.
“I’m not unfamiliar,” he answered. “But I’ve never known anyone like you. Touching you, feeling your arousal on my hand…” He shook his head and then bit into the piece of meat on the end of his fork. “You scared me.”
He had stunned her into a different sort of silence. The kind where hundreds of questions piled up in her head.
“Why?” she finally asked. Her mother had led her to believe all the enjoyment would be had by the man. And yet, she’d believed it had been the opposite.
Because she’d experienced a mysterious sort of completion, while he’d only provided it.
“I don’t know.” But he tilted his head, his gaze pinned on hers. “You liked it. You enjoyed it.”
“Yes.” She wouldn’t lie. “But next time, don’t be so bossy.”
“You liked that too,” he contradicted her.
“I didn’t.” Her dignity required this answer.
He chuckled and went back to eating. “Eat your stew, Nia.”
And defying every manner she’d ever practiced, Nia picked up one of the rolls, paused to reconsider for less than a second, and then lobbed it at his head.
Jasper ducked, causing her to miss him. And heaven help her, his laughter ought to have angered her, but instead of throwing a second roll, she found herself biting back a grin.
Vexing man!
Not Like Other Men
The sun was just cresting the horizon when Nia climbed into the carriage, refreshed for another long day’s drive. And when she settled into the bench, waiting for Jasper to settle up with the innkeeper, she peered out the door to address the driver. “Thank you for having the mud cleaned out.”
Coachman Will shook his head. “Wasn’t me. His lordship did it.”
She raised her brows. Yet another aspect of Jasper’s character that was nothing like her father—or any other man of her acquaintance, really.
She couldn’t help but recall the words he’d growled against her jaw. “I’m not like your father or either of those idiots you nearly married. I’m not like any man you’ve ever known. If that was the case, you wouldn’t allow this.”
She squeezed her legs together.
Nothing similar would happen today. Yesterday, they’d experienced unusual circumstances. With the bridge, the mud, and then the fact that they’d both had to remove some of their clothing. Even for a betrothed couple, they’d exhibited an indecent lack of propriety.
But were they betrothed?
The door stood open, so she leaned out and addressed the driver again. “How much farther to Gretna Green?”
The driver’s eyes widened, and after glancing around, he raised a finger to his mouth to indicate silence.
Nia winced. How had she forgotten for even a minute that her father’s men might be following her? If they caught up, they could confirm her destination by questioning anyone who might have heard her thoughtless indiscretion.
Coachman Will stepped closer and spoke softly. “Two days, miss. As long as the weather holds.”
“Thank you,” Nia whispered, feeling foolish.
Just then, Jasper crossed the yard looking, if possible, even more robust and invincible than he had the day before.
Even as he shot Nia a conspiratorial smile, he halted at the carriage and dropped a hand on the driver’s back. “Let’s avoid the rain today, shall we?” He laughed, as did their outrider, who was standing ready. And in the next few moments, their little party was rolling along the rutted and rocky road again.
