“I am not proposing marriage to you, Miss Ram.” He laughed, flicking the reins as another carriage rounded the bend. “I have my heir and am simply considering the matter.”
She smiled politely as he looked over at her. “Ah. Okay.”
He grew somber. “My first wife passed away many years ago. I had not realized how lonely I’d become.”
“I’m sorry,” Leah whispered. Reaching over, she laid a hand on his. Even through their gloves, she could tell how cold his hands were, and it sent a shiver through her. Poor man. Poor, lonely old man.
“It is of no consequence.” He patted her hand, and she withdrew. “Shall we continue?”
She nodded, and the carriage rolled on.
i
Avery pulled the brim of his hat lower over his eyes.
He was dressed in a coat much too heavy for the finer weather of the day, but he’d had no choice. He could not be discovered.
He’d followed the duke’s phaeton to Lady Chesterfield’s manse. His hands had curled into fists when he saw his employer’s hands on Leah’s waist, handing her up to the high seat atop the conveyance. Jealousy seethed beneath Avery’s skin, but he tamped it down with effort. He could not afford the distraction. He must keep her safety in the forefront of his mind. Another note had come in the night.
Russell,
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and you will lose. If you do not, she will pay. I have gotten some quite interesting information as of late, about a lady you seem to care for.
Make no mistake, we know who, and where, she is.
Prachett
He followed them at quite a distance, making sure to keep the phaeton in his sights. Fortunately, the horse he’d secretly borrowed from his grace’s stables was quite well mannered and even quick when needed. The nag was not of good stock, but he had spirit. And his nonde-script color and markings were perfect to blend into the crowded lanes of the park.
He wished he could hear what they were saying.
What caused Leah’s brows to lower as she responded to the duke or what caused her to smile, throw back her golden head and laugh.
Was she falling in love with him? That is what she’d wanted all along, from the moment she’d landed in Avery’s arms. But he could not resign himself to the idea.
Blessed hell. His hands tightened on the reins. What if she were to marry Granville? She’d be a duchess. And Avery would have to see her every day. He could look but never touch. When he pictured her lying in the duke’s bed, hair strewn about her with a lovelorn smile on her face, Avery inadvertently jerked the reins.
“Steady boy, ssssh,” he said in a low voice to the horse beneath him. He patted the gelding’s neck. “I’m sorry there, chap.”
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to exchange information for the promise of coin. With difficulty, Avery pried his gaze from the pair in the phaeton and scanned the area. He did not have the luxury of remaining at her side to protect her at all hours, so he must be vigilant when he had the opportunity.
The phaeton turned about and headed toward him.
Avery didn’t hide his open sigh of exasperation. The duke had to be returning her to Lady Chesterfield, and that meant Avery himself would be expected at Granville House very soon.
He steered the horse onto a half-hidden side path and waited. He’d let the pair pass by and then continue on his way.
The sound of wheels on the gravel pathway warned him of their coming.
“So that’s what you meant.” Leah was laughing as she spoke. Avery fought for control. He must not run after her and pull her atop his horse, riding hell-bent for Gretna. She was not his and never would be.
“’Tis true, I admit.” The duke’s voice was amused as well. The bloody bastard.
As the carriage rolled past the pathway, Leah adjusted her hat and turned toward the duke. Avery’s heart stut-tered when he caught her gaze. Her blue eyes went wide, and her mouth formed an O, but he shook his head quickly and turned away.
“Is something the matter?”
“No, nothing at all, Your Grace. Sorry.” She smiled at the duke and Avery’s rage climbed even higher. He was nearly shaking with it now, an anger so fierce that it threatened to burn him from the inside out.
He must breathe. He must retain control.
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Though he wanted nothing more than to follow them and take Leah away from his employer, he stayed there, atop his horse on the forgotten path. His eyelids slammed shut and he fought to ease his tension.
She is not yours, lad. She is not yours.
He had to have her.
For he was quite certain that Leah Ramsey was his one shot at salvation. Without her, he’d drown in his anger, guilt, and loneliness for the rest of his days.
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