“What?” She shook her head quickly. “I am certainly not leaving this party with you.”
“You won’t be. You will be leaving with someone dressed as your companion.” He grabbed her hand and held tightly. “Come. We have no more time to waste.”
*
Sitting ramrod straight,Maxey folded her arms across her chest, ready to spit nails. Nash was nothing but an inconsiderate fop! How dare he force her to go with him? Why, it was practically kidnapping. And poor Sally. The woman would not be forgiving when she awoke and found Maxey gone. Hopefully the maid would understand that Maxey couldn’t do anything about the situation.
Would Lady Wentworth understand? Probably not, since Maxey had inadvertently placed another person in harm’s way just to prove she had found Ignatius Burke.
She cringed. Carolyn would definitely never forgive her.
After Nash practically dragged Maxey into the coach, he asked where she was staying, and she wouldn’t tell him. There was no way she wanted her reputation ruined by taking him to the inn. Instead, she gave him the address of the house she knew was still vacant and had never hoped to see again.
She blinked back tears. Had she made a mistake by having Nash take her to the place that held nothing but bad memories?
He swung his head and peeked out the back window of the darkened coach. His body jerked with every bumpy movement, and although she sat beside him, she tried not to let her body bump against his. She didn’t even want their clothes to touch. How could she get rid of him once they arrived at her house?
She halted her thoughts. Did she really want to get rid of him? No, he remained a suspect. Staying by his side was essential. Carolyn expected Maxey to bring Nash back to the estate, and Maxey feared what would happen to her position as a governess if that didn’t occur.
Now she had other worries. What was she going to do with him for the next little while with them sitting so close? She must forget about how his kiss made her weak. Instead, the plan was to remain strong and remember that he was still her suspect.
Nash sank back in the seat and removed the ridiculous bonnet. When his knee bumped Maxey’s leg, she scooted toward the wall of the coach without looking at him.
“I want to thank you,” he said after much silence, “for not causing a scene when we left.”
“What else could I do?” She huffed. “I wanted to kick and scream and cause attention, but I didn’t dare.”
He scooted closer and slid his arm along the back of the seat, resting it near her shoulders. She threw him a glare.
“Indeed, you could have called for help and drawn attention to yourself. Instead, you walked to the coach with dignity. You made me proud to be your lady’s companion.”
She swung her head away, hoping he didn’t see the grin pulling at the corners of her mouth. Even as much as she despised him right now, his appearance made her chuckle, especially with his comment.
He captured her chin with his fingers, turning her face back to him. “Although you are trying to remain upset with me, I know you are glad you helped.”
“No, I’m not,” she said gently. “I’m quite put out with you for leaving Sally behind.”
He smiled. “Nonetheless, you are happy you helped.” His thumb slid across her lower lip. “You want to believe in my innocence. Am I correct?”
She held her breath. He needed to trust her again, which meant she had to put aside her anger. “Yes. I want to believe you.”
“Then peek out the window behind us and you will see a rider following.”
She turned, parted the curtains on the window, and glanced out. True to Nash’s word, a man on horseback followed at a distance.
She swung her head and met his stare. “Peter said there were three men. Where are the other two?”
“They must think I am still back at the house.”
“Then why is this one following us?”
“To make certain I did not escape with you. Because I believe these men are being paid well by my uncle, they are not going to take any chances. It is like I said before—my uncle is a cunning man.”
She sighed and faced forward as she relaxed against his side. “What is next?” Tilting her head, she raised her gaze to his. “What will happen when we reach my house?”
“I do not know. We shall have to see how long he stays and watches us.”
“I pray he gives up easily.”
