“I don’t believe so.”
“You’re not sure?” His concern for her increased tenfold. “Can you feel your legs?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“And the rest?”
“My bottom is getting a bit cold from sitting here,” she confessed. “I’ll probably have an ugly bruise tomorrow, but other than that, I’m fine.”
He blew out a breath and offered his hand. When she clasped it, he helped her up slowly, then took a moment to assess their surroundings and saw that their path was blocked by branches. “The low visibility masked this fallen tree. If I’d been ahead of you I would most likely have been the one thrown.”
“Can we go around it?”
“Yes, but I’m not sure we should.” The wind was howling, sweeping snow up off the ground to mix with the flakes that were falling. White mingled with white, obliterating all recognizable landmarks. Thankfully, they were still on his land – an area he could navigate with his eyes closed. “I think we ought to turn back.”
“What?”
“Most of our ride still lies ahead. Proceeding in this weather would not only be unwise but extremely foolhardy.”
“But I cannot return to your home with you. I mean, coming for a brief visit when no one would be the wiser was one thing. Remaining there until this storm passes is something else entirely. Lord Darlington, I cannot possibly do so.”
“I’m sorry, but your safety must come first.”
“My family will be beside themselves with worry.”
“Perhaps you should have considered that before you set out to visit a bachelor on your own.” He hadn’t meant to snap at her but lord help him if he wasn’t losing whatever remained of his patience. Regretting the outburst, he forced himself to calmly ask, “Does no one know where you were headed?”
“I did inform my lady’s maid.”
“Well then. There you are. She will no doubt reveal your secret in order to appease your family. They will then realize what happened – that you were forced to seek shelter with me until it was safe to return.”
“They might make us marry.”
Robert gave her a weary nod. There was no getting around that potential dilemma. “Come. I suggest we return to the warmth of my home before we turn into snowmen. We can continue this discussion there.”
He helped her mount his horse, then swung up behind her and gently urged the stallion forward at a moderate pace. Snug between his thighs and with her back pressed into his chest, Robert could not regret what had happened no matter how much he told himself to. He should not find her attractive, nor should he harbor a secret pleasure over the thought of keeping her trapped with him for a while longer. He ought to hate her, despise her, wish her to perdition.
He’d tried that, but it hadn’t worked and now, with the weather seemingly wishing to thwart his attempts at adding distance, he might as well surrender himself to the idea of having her near. A lot could happen while she remained in his care. A spike of arousal swept through him in spite of the cold. It had been months since he’d last been this close to a woman. Cursing himself for the scoundrel he was, he tightened his grip on the reins.
“Please ready a room for Miss Townsbridge,” he told Dartwood when they returned. “The weather seems to be against us, so she shall be staying here. For the moment.”
“Yes, my lord,” Dartwood said without displaying the slightest hint of shock. “Shall I have a couple of hot baths prepared?”
“Please do,” Robert said. He helped Athena off with her cloak. It did not escape his notice that she was trembling. He met Dartwood’s gaze. “Make haste, if you would.”
As soon as the butler was gone, Robert tore off his greatcoat and reached for Athena’s hands.
“Wha-what are you doing?”
“Helping.” He tugged at her gloves, tossed them aside on the hallway table, and brought her hands close to his mouth so he could blow warmth upon them. He rubbed the icy fingers with his own, blew on them once again, and finally, when he was satisfied that the majority of her chill had subsided, pulled her into the parlor so she could warm herself near the fire while they waited.
“I’m such an idiot,” he heard her say after a few moments of silence. “Forgive me.”
He crossed to the side table and poured two measures of brandy. He handed one of the tumblers to her. “This will soothe your insides and make you feel better.”
She took the glass with thanks and drank like a woman who wasn’t a stranger to hard spirits. He almost chuckled. Of course she wasn’t. She’d probably pilfered her father’s liquor before the age of fourteen, if only for the sake of broadening her horizons.
A satisfied sigh left her before she said, “It was wrong of me to come here as I did, to barge in on your life without invitation. I’m sorry. I have an unfortunate inclination to act before I think.”
