It had helped the time pass. Kit incorporated each new passenger into the game, even the lady who had disapproved of Tamsyn. By the time they reached Stoke-on-Trent, the woman washand-feeding Tamsyn pieces of the cold sausages she’d prepared for her own meal.
“What now?” Elise asked after they’d climbed down from the coach. She kept her eye on Tamsyn, who made three quick circles, happy to be on solid ground, and then ran off a short way to see to herself.
“We need more money,” Kit said. “I suggest we find lodging and go from there.”
A few inquiries directed them to the house of an elderly couple named Forkner who had a room to offer. Again, Kit introduced them as Mr. and Mrs. Cox. He was wise to do so. The husband was a deacon at his church. He declared them a lovely couple.
Their room had one bed. Elise stared at it as if she’d never seen a bedstead before. In truth, she was exhausted. It had been a long day. However, the sight of that single mattress with tall, confident Kit standing right at her shoulder...
She glanced up at him, wondering if she should say something... or allow things to happen.
That would be the easy way, wouldn’t it?
To let circumstances carry her toward what she was beginning to desire? As a young woman of lineage and class, she shouldn’t even be thinking about wrapping herself around him, holding him, disappearing into him. At least, not intentionally.
However, if Fate intervened—?
“I’ll take the floor,” Kit informed her briskly. He moved away from her to hang his hat on one wall peg and the oilskin on another, removing a flat leather kit from its pocket. He then walked to the washstand and took off his jacket. He rolled up the sleeves of his shirt.
Elise watched, slightly disoriented. It was as if she’d been leaning against him and now that he’d marched off, she had to catch her balance. And with that little bit of breathing room, all the rules she’d been taught raised their ugly little heads. He was right about the bed. They should not share it—because she did plan to return to her life...
So, why was she so disappointed?
“Although,” he continued, “I shall not be here a good portion of the night. I’ll try not to wake you when I return.” He began shaving, using the cake of soap by the pitcher and bowl.
She watched as the whiskers disappeared. “You are going to gamble?”
“It is the quickest way to scratch together some money.” He wiped his face with a cotton towel. “Don’t wait up. Sleep while you can. Enjoy the mattress for me.” With those words, he picked up his jacket, grabbed his hat, and was gone.
Gone to do what he must to take care of them.
The elderly couple would not let Tamsyn in the house, so Elise, feeling at loose ends, went out and sat with the dog. Tamsyn seemed to understand Elise’s mood.
Finally, the soft twilight gave way to evening’s darkness, and the midges were annoying enough to chase Elise inside. However, she had reached a decision.
The depth of her feelings for Kit was true. She didn’t believe she felt mere infatuation or plain lust. She was not a milkmaid. She understood expectations.
But it was easier to obey expectations when she’d believed love was a series of checklists built on hopes and good values. A heart and mind endeavor.
She’d been wrong. What she felt for Kit was all heart, and there were no boundaries or musts. Not since he’d entered her life.
One moment, she’d been alone and lost. In the next, her world had opened to includehim.
And it was awonderousthing, and so she would tell him when he returned. She’d declare herself.
The decision released all the prickliness inside of her. He’d want her declaration.
He’d tell her he felt the same.
She knew he must. He had to feel the heat of awareness between them. And then, there was the way he had begun reaching for her hand. Also, the small touches. A brush of his arm, his hand going to her waist to steady her, a touch of his fingers when he gave her the bun—it was all there.
Elise had misjudged Michael. Could she bewrong about Kit as well? She didn’t know but she discovered she was willing to risk her pride to find out.
Now came the waiting. Elise did lie on the mattress, surprised at how good it felt after so many nights on the ground. That didn’t mean she fell asleep. No, she had other plans, because as she waited, she discovered she couldn’t hide her feelings. Not anymore.
There was a sound outside the house. Kit was at the front door. He said something Elise couldn’t hear to Tamsyn.
The bedroom door squeaked as he opened it. She caught her breath. The moment had come. She’d been rehearsing in her mind what she should say. However, what had seemed logical and simple even a few moments ago was suddenly now, in his presence, terrifying.
