“I was trying to fathom your reason for doing this when you need not.”
“I thought I had made that clear at the outset.”
Felicity waved one gloved hand. “Oh, you pretended an interest in my origins, but I do not believe that was it.”
“Why not? As I recall, I used the very same word. You intrigue me too.”
“That is nonsense. I have been nothing but a trouble to you from the outset. You need not deny it, for you said it yourself.”
“I have no intention of denying it. You are a confounded nuisance. But that does not preclude my finding your history a puzzle worthy of being unravelled.” Felicity emitted a sound of disbelief, tossing her head. “That snort was worthy of Angelica. Do you in general reserve it for your pupils?”
Again she was unable to refrain from laughing, but she threw him an irritated look nevertheless. Wasted, since he had his eyes on the road. “I wish you won’t attempt to turn it off with a jest, my lord.”
“Turn what off?”
“You know very well. Why are you doing this? It is of no use to say you feel responsible for me due to my guardian’s machinations —”
“I was not going to.”
“— because there is no reason why you should be.”
“Then we are of one mind. You may say, if you insist upon making more of it than is there, that it suits me to escape from Town for a space. However, I really cannot see why you must needs hunt for more than the simple truth of the matter. Typical female, of course. You will never accept that we men are simple creatures. We don’t delve into the deep waters that occupy the feminine mind.”
Felicity regarded him in some dudgeon. “Now you are being deliberately provocative.”
He looked round, flashing a sudden grin. “I make a habit of it, had you not noticed?”
“Yes!” She gave a reluctant laugh. “I notice also that you are prevaricating, but I shall refrain from plaguing you on the matter.”
“Thank God for that! You’ve saved me from the intolerable boredom of my existence. Don’t spoil it by becoming tediously inquisitive.”
Thrown back into instant annoyance, Felicity held her tongue with difficulty upon a sharp retort. There was no sense in pursuing the subject if he was determined to evade her. Not for a moment did she accept his assertions. Some cogent reason he must have. Was it sympathy? Fellow feeling? No, for he had no concept of her condition, as pampered as his life must be. Chivalry? At the start, perhaps. But not now.
With a small sigh, she let it go. Why it should bother her she did not know. Except that she felt altogether beholden, anathema to her. Lord Lynchmere clearly did not realise how galling it was to her to lose control of her own life, to be wholly dependent upon his charity. To be obliged to swallow her pride and accept his help without being able to make any sort of exchange was difficult for her. However, there was nothing to be done about it at the present time.
The curricle was slowing, catching her attention. She saw a sign protruding from a building set a little off the roadside. “Are we stopping for another change already?”
The last had been at Colnbrook and Lord Lynchmere had said his horses were capable of sixteen miles at a stretch. His lordship did not look round, engaged in directing his team into the yard of an inn, its swinging sign designating the head of a boar.
“I sent a team ahead to Reading last night. We’ll change there and then again at Newbury, where I have horses permanently stabled. This team may rest here while we take refreshment. I dare say the Boar’s Head can produce acceptable fare.”
“Where are we now?”
“Twyford.”
Light dawned. “You’ve chosen an out of the way place. To avoid recognition.”
The groom jumped down as the equipage came to a standstill and ran to the horses’ heads.
“Never let it be said that I don’t take my cousin’s strictures to heart.”
“I wish I may see it!”
He raised his brows. “You are seeing it.”
“Oh, nonsense. Do you take me for an idiot? You would have done so without her warning.”
He merely smiled in that enigmatic way he had and, releasing his hold on the reins, leapt down. In a moment, he had come around to her side and held up a hand to help her descend. Gathering her skirts Felicity climbed down, glad of the strong grip. She half stumbled as she reached terra firma and an arm clamped about her shoulders, steadying her.
