“Aye. The ladies need a brief respite to stretch their legs and take care of personal matters. Any concerns?”
The man shook his head. “Nay, my lord.”
The earl nodded and stepped out of the carriage, turning and offering her his hand. “Miss Barclay.”
She accepted his offer, the heat of his hand sending bolts of warmth up her arm. As annoying as she found her, her…what was he? Her host? Her guardian? Nay, her jailor. As annoying as she found her jailor, she couldn’t tamp down her body’s reaction every time they touched.
With Mary by her side, she looked around at her surroundings. Thick pine trees lined either side of the road. Storm clouds were moving in and she expected before long they would be riding through inclement weather.
“Great,” she mumbled under her breath and stomped around the carriage toward the trees.
“Dinna wander far, Miss,” the earl ordered.
She straightened. Something in the way he barked out commands, as if she were a soldier, irked her. Grating on her nerves. Just because he thought her a thief didn’t mean that he could take over every minute of her life.
“We will be far enough to afford us some privacy. Your coachman said ’tis a safe spot. We will be fine. Come, Mary.” She grasped Mary’s hand and pulled her along. A few feet into the woods and when she turned around, she could barely see the carriage.
They could run and easily get lost in the trees. It would be an option if she knew where they were. Alas, she hadn’t a clue, so running wasn’t an option. But the thought remained in her mind. If the opportunity presented itself, she would run in a heartbeat. She still had her grandmama’s necklace. She only needed to get the earl to hand over the earrings as well. Once she had possession of both, there was no reason why she shouldn’t try to escape his clutches.
“Miss, I dinna think we should stray too far from the road. We will ne’er find our way out.”
Mary was right, of course, but Lizzie’s rebellious side was tempted to see how far she could go or how long she could be gone before the earl came looking for them.
A roar of thunder rumbled through the air. She jumped at the sound and all thoughts of running left her mind. She hated the thunder. Always had. Ever since she was a young child.
Another rumble and she gathered her skirts. “Mary, let us make haste and get back to the shelter of the carriage afore the storm catches us out here.”
“Aye, Miss.”
They hurried through relieving themselves and quickly made their way back.
The earl stood on the edge of the road waiting for them to emerge. As they did, a bolt of lightning cracked nearby, and Lizzie yelped as she jumped.
Concern etched his handsome face as he hurried her into the carriage, and then Mary before climbing in himself.
Rain came pounding down on the roof of the carriage and the skies grew dark.
“Damn it,” the earl cursed before looking at her sheepishly. “Pardon my crass words, Miss.”
The thunder boomed and she cried out again, grasping for Mary’s hand and clenching it tightly.
“Are ye all right?” he asked, brows drawn together in worry.
She was shivering and he quickly removed his jacket and placed it on her shoulders. His spicy scent enveloped her. Something she would have savored if she weren’t on the verge of panic.
“’Tis just a storm, Miss. ’Twill pass quickly.”
“Miss Barclay doesna care for storms o’ermuch,” Mary explained as she rubbed her hand up and down Lizzie’s back, trying to calm her nerves.
“I can see that. It came on quickly, let us hope that it clears out as quick.”
Lightning lit up the interior of the carriage and she shrunk back.
She could feel the earl’s eyes on her, studying her. He must think her a fool for her reaction. He more than likely thought her juvenile in her reaction.
“Did ye have a bad experience with a storm, Lass?” he queried.
She had. When she was very young. She remembered traveling with her parents when a storm had taken themunawares. They were outside. In a forest. The lightning hit a tree close to them, causing it to split and fall, landing on her father, crushing his leg.
