“I’m sure it’s going to be fine, Florie. Tim is an excellentdriver, and Mr. Eston seems to have a level head on his shoulders.”
There, did she sound suitably wifely? Her own voice was calm, devoid of any anxiety whatsoever. But then, she’d had years to practice her skills at prevarication. If she was afraid, she doubted anyone in the carriage could have discerned it.
She opened the door and peeked her head out to see Tim and Douglas standing by the horses in earnest conversation. Were they making decisions about their safety and yet not involving them?
She closed the door and sat back on the seat.
“Sometimes men are very difficult,” she said, a comment she should not have made under any circumstances.
Florie, bless her tactful heart, pretended she hadn’t spoken.
“Do you think there’s an inn nearby, Lady Sarah?” Florie asked a few minutes later.
“I sincerely hope not,” Sarah said. “I had planned on reaching Kilmarin today. I am not willing to spend another night at an inn.”
Douglas entered the carriage again, turned to Florie, and spoke to her first. “Tim says that you mustn’t worry. We’ll find shelter before the storm hits.”
Florie’s complexion was as pale as plaster, but she forced a smile to her face as she nodded. “Thank you, sir. I worry about my Tim, too.”
“As well you should,” Douglas said, which earned him a frown from Sarah. The last thing he should do was commiserate with Florie; it would make her hysterical. But he continued on, oblivious to Sarah’s censorious look. “It’s the lightning we have to fear.”
Finally, he turned to her. “We’re not far from themain road,” he said. “We’re going to go ahead and meet up with it.”
“Will we find an inn, sir?” Florie asked.
“We’ll reach Kilmarin first,” Douglas said.
They exchanged a long look, and she recognized that expression in his eyes. He was more than willing to be as implacable as a brick wall if it meant obtaining what he wanted. How very strange that she’d not recognized his stubbornness before they left Chavensworth.
He began to smile, a thoroughly charming smile if one didn’t notice the wickedness of it. His eyes, too, gave away his thoughts, and she was certain that if Florie weren’t here, he would have begun to laugh. Or perhaps something even worse, like scoop her up from the seat, put her on his lap, and proceed to nuzzle at her breasts.
That was not a thought she should have. She reached into the convenience pocket of the carriage, withdrew a blank note card, and began to fan herself. When his smile looked to have no sign of abating, she frowned at him.
“Mr. Eston,” she said. Just that, just his name, and it made his smile even broader.
“Stop it,” she said, her teeth clenched.
“I am doing nothing, Lady Sarah,” he said, still smiling. “Other than thinking first and foremost of your safety.”
She couldn’t dispute that remark although she wanted to find something to criticize. At least, openly. Heaven knew she had enough knowledge of his private behavior, but publicly he behaved like a perfect gentleman.
Not unlike those knights her mother had told her about, always concerned about their ladyloves. Butthose knights had sent flowers and composed poetry, and planted gardens. She doubted one of those knights would have whispered decadent suggestions in his lady’s ear, nor teased her with fingers, lips, and wildly improvident words.
She looked away, concentrating on the scenery through the carriage window. Within moments, the air darkened, the grass rippled with the increasing wind, and Florie moved closer to her. Sarah glanced at her maid and smiled reassuringly, then looked back through the window, ignoring Douglas. Not that it was easy.
The explosive crack of thunder made her jump. Florie grabbed her arm and let out a little squeal. Sarah looked across the carriage at Douglas, and he smiled reassuringly. Without speaking a word, he held out his hand, and she took it, the three of them now linked by a touch.
“If we can’t find shelter soon,” Sarah said, “I think we should stop and let Tim join us. It can’t be safe for him out there.”
Douglas nodded.
“Who is Alano?”
He frowned. “You’ve met Alano.”
“Yes, but who is he?”
“Why are you asking now?”
