And whatever the more was, it had everything to do with Matthew Talbot. But she couldn’t risk wanting any kind ofmorewith him. Not here. Not now. Perhaps not ever.
Chapter Eleven
Matthew never realized exactly how small the confines of a coach really were until he found himself sitting across from Charlotte and her brother with the lyrics of “The Lusty Young Smith” spinning around and around in his head. Every few seconds, his lips would twitch, and he’d almost begin humming. Alexander was starting to shoot him curious looks, but it was Lady Charlotte who was practically his undoing.
She kept emitting truncated giggles and glancing his way. Mirth sparkled in her grass-green eyes, and he swore he could hear strains of the salacious ditty.
With a rub rub rub, rub rub rub, in and out, in and out, ho!
Warmth suffused Matthew, and he wished it was limited to the flush creeping over his skin. Unfortunately, a healthy portion of the flames were directed to his particular “iron,” which, like the eponymous lusty smith’s, was now most vigorously heated.
It was deuced embarrassing, especially considering the present company. Thankfully, his frock coat hid the evidence of his unfortunately forged and currently unwanted steel.
“What happened between you two? Lottie has turned into a veritable laughing hyena, and Matthew looks like a nervous stag—orI suppose antelope if we’re keeping the metaphor straight.” Alexander swiveled his head suspiciously between them.
Devil take the sportsman for choosing now of all times to be keenly observant.
Guilt joined the already uncomfortable mix of sensations brewing inside Matthew. He should not be hungering after his best friend’s sister, especially right in front of said best friend.
“We sang a rather interesting ditty,” Charlotte freely admitted. “Evidently, it calms Banshee.”
Matthew wanted to turn into dust and slip through the floorboards of Tavish’s coach. Frantically, he tried to catch Charlotte’s eyes to signal her to stop. She, however, was looking at her brother, not at him.
“Which one is it?” Alexander asked.
“I’m not familiar with its title,” Charlotte said, “but the lyrics are—”
“Don’t!” Matthew croaked out, his voice a rough bellow that was really much too loud for the smallness of the conveyance. He tried again at a lower volume, but he only ended up sounding more panicked, even to his own ears. “Please do not sing the lines. I beg you.”
Alexander raised both his eyebrows. “Now I really want to hear them.”
“No,” Matthew groaned out. “Just no.”
“Matthew, did you teach my sister an inappropriate song?” Alexander was chuckling too.
“A most scandalous one,” Charlotte added brightly.
“It’s like a lullaby to Banshee.” Matthew tried to explain as he desperately scanned the carriage roof as if a trapdoor would miraculously appear. None, of course, did. He had no escape route that wasn’t flinging himself out of a moving coach.
“I didn’t know human skin could turn so red.” Alexander cocked his head as he made a show of inspecting Matthew’s complexion.
“A deep scarlet, wouldn’t you say?” Now Charlotte had begun to peer at him as well.
Matthew resisted the urge to cover his face with both his hands. He couldn’t stop himself from squirming though.
“More a maroon,” Alexander countered, “but I wonder if we could make him turn magenta. That would truly be a marvel to see.”
“You do realize that I am sitting right here?” Matthew protested.
“Oh, we know.” Alexander winked at him. “That’s what makes it so fun.”
“Hmm,” Charlotte said as she leaned forward to inspect him closely. “I may see shades of mauve beginning to blossom.”
Matthew had no choice. He really was going to have to obscure his face. Perhaps he could use his cocked hat. Just as he reached for it, the carriage lurched to the right. Charlotte, who was still bent forward, was caught off-balance. To Matthew’s horror, she pitched forward straight toward his still vigorously heated piece of iron. He yelped and made a move to shield himself before he realized that the carriage was not just swaying but crashing.
Years of physical training had made him quick. Matthew launched himself forward, wrapping his body around Charlotte’s. She squeaked as they slammed against the wooden shell of the coach when it hit the ground. Matthew grunted as his shoulder and back absorbed most of the collision. Charlotte curled against his chest, and Alexander thudded against them, his boot accidentally catching Matthew’s shin.
Panicked equine whinnies filled the air, and Matthew felt the upended coach jerk dangerously. He had no idea what had happened to the driver and the tiger, but no one was controlling theteam. The horses were bolting, and that could easily mean death for them all.
