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Case conveyed her home and remained as she apprised her servants of her plans. Elsie and Catriona then busied themselves packing Jillian’s clothing, while Hilda prepared a meal for the trip.
When the carriage arrived, Johnny loaded her bags, and Case walked with her out to the gate.
“I’ll miss you,” she said mournfully.
“It will only be a few weeks, Jilly,” he said wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. He placed his finger under her chin, forcing her to look up at him. “You take care of yourself.”
She threw her arms around him.
He gathered her close and returned her embrace. “Give Justin a chance, Jilly. He’ll keep you safe. He’s the most honorable man I know.”
“If you trust him, I trust him.”
He assisted her up into the carriage, and she touched her gloved fingers to her lips and extended her hand in Case’s direction as she pulled away.
She settled back into her seat as the carriage rolled out of sight of her townhome. In an hour she would rendezvous with Justin, and they would ride together to his estate in Yorkshire.
She felt a good amount of trepidation about her impending stay with Justin. He had been gentle and understanding after her accident, but she didn’t know if she could count on his goodwill to extend to their self-imposed exile. And then there was her physical reaction to him. She was going to be in close proximity with Justin for several weeks, and she did not trust herself not to betray her growing attraction for him.
An hour later, the carriage slowed and came to a halt. Justin climbed in quickly, and they started again immediately. She looked at him, not entirely sure what to say. He ended the awkward moment, leaning forward.
“How are you feeling?”
“Tired,” she admitted. “So much has happened in the last twenty-four hours.”
“You’ve taken it well,” he complimented. “Most women would be prostrate by now.”
“I am not most women.”
“No, you’re not.”
She cocked her head, gazing at him curiously. “Tell me about Whittington. Case said it’s where you two grew up.”
“Yes, we were both born at Whittington. We spent our childhood there, running about the estate and getting into trouble along with our cousin Hawk.”
“It sounds like you two were a handful.”
“We were,” Justin said with a grin. “My mother despaired of us both.”
“Do you miss your parents?” she asked softly.
“Yes, I do,” he admitted. A faraway look entered his eyes. “My mother was the gentlest creature I have ever known. My father could refuse her nothing. Everyone loved her. My father taught us to be honorable in all things. He believed an honorable man to be more important than any title or crown. When they died, the whole village mourned.”
“Case said you took care of him after your parents died.”
Justin looked surprised. “I did what had to be done.”
“According to Case, you gave up much in order to give him a normal childhood. The pressures you faced must have been unbearable,” she said sympathetically. “Not many men become duke at age fifteen.”
“Case has told you a lot about me,” Justin mused.
“Do you mind?”
“No, I just didn’t realize you knew so much about me. I know so little about you.”
Jillian didn’t miss the irony of that statement. It was a stunning admission coming from him. He had assumed much about her and now was admitting he, in fact, knew nothing.
