“You know, Hector has an infected gunshot wound,” the highwayman near Nelly said. “No guns on you today, eh?” His gaze traveled over Wolfolk’s frame. “Why don’t you give me your rings and jewelry, nice and slowly, please,” he said the last words mockingly.
Nelly, weeping, unlatched a bracelet she was wearing and handed it to the man.
“You too, my lord.”
Wolfolk only wore a signet ring he’d gotten from his father. He looked down at it on his hand. He hadn’t removed it in years. He touched it and then pulled it off and gave it to them. He snuck another look to Caroline. A queasiness burned through him. Seeing her with her arms pinned and held by the wretch stung him. He wanted to grab and pummel the man until he was on the ground and not moving. But he couldn’t take two men by himself. He needed to wait until the right moment so the women would be safe. He had one thought: he had to get them away from these men. And he had to make sure neither was out of his sight for a moment.
“What about you?” The man jostled Caroline from behind. “No jewelry?”
Caroline glanced back at the robber in disgust.
“I am the lady’s companion,” she said softly, almost as a growl. His filthy fingers stretched across her white neck feeling for a necklace and then her earlobes for bobs.
Wolfolk wanted to chop off the offending hand.
Savagely and immediately.
His pulse pounded in his head.
Without thinking, he took several quick steps, grabbed the man’s hand and wrenched it down to the wet ground in a way that he hoped broke his fingers. Taken by surprise, the man screamed in pain and let go of Caroline. Wolfolk pushed him to the ground and jabbed his knee into his back to hold him down.
“Move away,” Wolfolk said, and Caroline scrambled out of the way.
“Nelly,” Caroline called, as she tried to regain her breath.
As soon as the other highwayman saw Wolfolk throw down his colleague, he pulled Nelly off the horse and held her in front of him. Nelly shrieked.
“Let go of him, or I’ll hurt the girl.”
“I’ll break this man’s neck, I swear I will,” Wolfolk said ground his knee further into his back.
The highwayman sneered at him. “I’ll do more than break her pretty neck. I’ve got the biggest jewel right here.”
Wolfolk and the man stared at each other for a moment.
Somewhere from the trees behind them, a shot fired, and they all startled and crouched. Each of them looked at each other, unsure where the shot came from.
Through the mist and foliage, a blond man stepped forward, holding a gun.
“Samuel!” Nelly cried.
Bloody hell. It was Sutherland. Like some deuced fairy tale prince.
“Let go of her or I’ll kill you right now.” Sutherland cocked his pistol and pointed it at the man holding Nelly.
“Sutherland,” Wolfolk said in shock. “How…?”
“I’ll tell you over a port later,” he smiled and winked at Nelly.
Sutherland even brought his smirk. Relief and annoyance washed through Wolfolk equally.
Sutherland focused back on the highwayman and held his gun up higher. “I’ll not ask you to let her go again.”
The man flung Nelly hard toward to Sutherland, who caught her in his arms.
The highwayman took a step back from Sutherland and then turned and ran into the woods. Sutherland fired another bullet into the air.
“Take that, wretch!”
Smoke wafted up from his pistol and acrid gunpowder filled the air.
Sutherland hugged Nelly. “Are you hurt?” She shook her head, and fresh tears streamed down her face. “Wolfolk, my good man. What do you plan to do with that one?” He gestured to the highwayman under Wolfolk’s knee.
Wolfolk, still shocked, could only step back as Sutherland let go of Nelly and pulled the man up to his knees.
“We’ll have to take him to the authorities,” Sutherland said, and Wolfolk nodded numbly. Sutherland somehow made it all seem effortless.
Her pulse pounded in Caroline’s ears.
She heard Wolfolk, Sutherland, and the terrible highwayman speak, but as soon as the man grabbed her and pulled her arms roughly behind her, everything went quiet and time seemed to move very slowly. Now that she was freed, her muscles went limp, as though all her bones had dissolved. She slumped but remained standing.
Nelly was unhurt, thank god. Caroline drew in a shaky breath and glanced at Wolfolk, who followed Sutherland behind the captured highwayman. He was pale, and sweat glistened on his brow. He looked utterly exhausted. She felt the same.
He had saved her.
Wolfolk had freed her from the highwayman. With Sutherland’s help, but most of her rescue had been Wolfolk.
Warmth swept her as he stood, soaking wet, still trying to catch his breath. She needed to thank him. Not now, when she still couldn’t form words, but later, after they had both recovered.
She felt a rush of gratitude toward Wolfolk. He didn’t have to free her. She was only the lady’s companion. No one would have blamed him if he released Nelly first, but he hadn’t. She watched his broad, capable shoulders and back as he walked ahead of her. A wave of raw need rang through her body. For a moment, she wondered if he felt it too.
Wolfolk imagined they made a motley picture as they trudged into the village of New Catwick: five rain-soaked adults, Nelly on the horse, and a gagged highwayman in makeshift shackles. Sutherland insisted he alone take the man to the magistrate’s, while Wolfolk escorted the women to the inn.
Wolfolk and the ladies found an inn and rented a room for the ladies and one each for Sutherland and him. It was a nice inn with roaring fires in the hearth and good-sized copper bathtubs. Relief washed through him when he finally closed the door after a footman drew him a hot bath.
Undressed, he eased his way into the warm, sudsy water, and for the first time in days, and let himself relax. He grimaced as the water hit the scrapes and cuts that he didn’t realize he had gotten. He had poured himself a hearty amount of brandy as well to help loosen his limbs and reached for it next to the tub. He sent the footman out. He needed to be alone.
He leaned back in the water and closed his eyes and the image of Caroline, drenched, hair loose and tangled down her back, holding four, rain-slicked dancing horses, came to him. He tensed again, and he slugged more brandy to will it away. She was a comely woman, and his body responded to seeing her in the rain. He was still a man, after all. Wolfolk sank back in the tub and let warm water rise up to his chin.
It had been a while since he felt the ragged edge of sexual need and it wasn’t entirely unwelcome. He pulled his head under water and soaped up his hair. It was good to know his disastrous marriage hadn’t taken that entirely away from him.
Then there was Sutherland.
Wolfolk expelled a breath of frustration at how Nelly seemed overjoyed Sutherland joined them. But then, he had saved them. He should be thankful. But blast if he wanted to thank him for causing all this chaos in the first place. Did Sutherland really intend to marry her?
Wolfolk rinsed out his hair and took another sip of the brandy.
How different things were than just days before.
He was lusting after the companion of the incomparable he was originally supposed to court, and his old friend had won her over.
He realized he was thinking of Caroline in a new way. Nervous tension spread through him knowing he could still feel this way. He stood up in the tub and toweled off. It was a shame he found Caroline so lovely because pursuing her could only hurt her; it would be ungentlemanly to do so. Honestly, it was the first time since Eugenie’s death he considered bedding anyone. But he wouldn’t risk her reputation to slake his appetite. He buttoned up his white shirt and downed the rest of the brandy.
Nelly would not stop talking about Sutherland.
How heroic he was, how he’d swooped in to save them, and finally, how dashing he looked holding a pistol with his da
mp hair tousled around his face. She argued a lengthy treatise that he was the most handsome, most heroic man who’d ever lived.
Caroline was too tired and hungry to disagree, although she was impressed with the effort Nelly put forth and told her she should apply it to her music or school lessons in the future.
“I won’t need any of those things anymore because I’m going to be his wife,” Nelly said as the maid combed through her freshly washed hair.
“Nelly, we cannot assume anything until he gives you his word.”
“He did. He said he came back for me,” Nelly said, sniffling.
Caroline drew in a shallow breath. She hoped for her sake, she was right.
“Yes, but he hasn’t an understanding with you, does he?”
Nelly toyed with the ruffle on the sleeve of her dress and pouted.
“Our understanding was to marry in Gretna Green.”
Caroline patted her arm kindly.
“I’m sure you may marry him if that’s what you want.”
“Of course, I want to!”
Caroline sighed and chose not to mention her doubts about his character.
“Marriage is a grave thing. And we’ll have to convince your mama that he’s a good husband for her daughter, which involves arriving at Howsham before she does.”
Nelly nodded and absentmindedly twirled one of her yellow curls around her finger to admired herself in the mirror.
They needed a plan, Caroline realized. She, Nelly and the men needed to align their stories so that no one, particularly Nelly’s mama, would suspect any impropriety on her daughter’s part. Caroline waited while the maid drew her bath.
A knock at the door brought in a note from Wolfolk saying that he had secured a carriage for them the next day and that Sutherland planned to journey with them. That was a relief. She hoped he had made Sutherland understand his obligation to Nelly. Caroline scanned the letter for some personal message from Wolfolk while knowing none would be there.
She eased into the hot bath water behind the screen and considered Sutherland. She still didn’t trust him, but she knew he had a much more difficult obstacle in winning over Nelly’s mama than she. She didn’t want Nelly’s heartbroken again, but she assumed Sutherland would lose interest when he met Nelly’s mama.
But first they needed to beat her to Howsham, or it would all be for naught.
18
The dining room was the fanciest one any of them attended since they left Howsham. The chairs were plush and comfortable, and the table was laden with steaming, aromatic foods. As a matter of fact, it was a bit formal for Wolfolk’s taste. He was embarrassed by how the workers bowed and scraped at him as “my lord,” but his stomach growled as he and Sutherland sat.
His pulse increased as he waited for around for the women. He still wasn’t sure how to comport himself around Caroline. But he pushed aside those ideas. Caroline was from a different world, and it was unfair for him to consider her anything but an employee of a friend.
Those thoughts were wiped away when she and Nelly entered the dining room. Nelly, of course, caught everyone’s attention when she walked in, and Sutherland nearly fell over himself to welcome her. Wolfolk wanted to remind him to pull himself together.
Caroline, as always, walked behind Nelly. But his eyes were drawn to her. Both women had changed out of their wet clothes and looked neat and fresh. How had he not noticed her mouth before? It was plump and nearly the same color as a ripe plum. He tried not to be obvious. It curved up at the ends in a way that made him think distinctly un-dinner like thoughts.
“Miss Holland,” he said.
She nodded. “My lord.”
He watched the way her lips quirked up.
No. Alexander stopped himself. This was not how he was supposed to react to her.
Sutherland and Nelly very nearly embraced across the table and Wolfolk wondered if he’d have to restrain him.
This was going to be a challenging dinner.
“I trust your room is adequate,” he said as the women sat.
Nelly beamed at Sutherland, so Caroline nodded in response.
“It is very nice. Thank you.”
“I am very glad to hear it,” he heard himself say. He was going to drive himself mad talking in this inane way while distracted by her lips.
“It was wonderful to bathe and change after spending the day in the rain,” Caroline said.
Now he pictured her in the bath. This was not helping.
“Yes, of course.”
“Mr. Sutherland,” Caroline said. “I never got the chance to thank you for your quick action this afternoon. I’m not sure we’d be here if you hadn’t come along.”
Sutherland nodded and placed his hand on his heart in faux modesty. “Anything to help damsels in distress. And, you, of course, my lord,” he said to Wolfolk.
Wolfolk took a hearty sip of claret at this comment so he would say nothing more. After a moment, he turned to Nelly.
“Miss Featherton, how are you recovering from our ordeal?”
Nelly, who beamed at Sutherland, tore her gaze to him. “I am fine. Now.”
“Yes, I think we all can see that.” He took another sip. Wolfolk was pleased to see Caroline suppress another smile. He grinned back and felt they had a secret between the two of them.
“I fear I need to thank you as well,” she said.
“For what?”
“For freeing me the highwayman.”
Wolfolk stopped, unsure of her meaning. “Why wouldn’t I have? Did you think I was going to let him drag you away?”
“No,” she glanced at Nelly, who was happily in hushed conversation with Sutherland. “No one would have questioned if you’d saved Nelly first.” A worried frown creased her brow.
“But you were the one being directly held. You were in greater danger.”
She smiled again sweetly—those lips—as though there was something they both knew, but she wasn’t saying.
“Yes, but…”
He stopped. What was she getting at? “But what?”
“Because Nelly is the incomparable and…”
“And you are what?”
If she said help, he was going to be angry.
Caroline cleared her throat daintily.
“I am the lady’s companion.”
He looked at her and felt his mouth twist with words he wanted to say.
“Have I ever made you feel like you were lesser?” he said finally. Her eyes blinked back at him.
“No, my lord. I just…” she stammered.
His gaze speared hers. What word was she going to use to describe herself?
Why did she expect less for herself from the world? She was twice as intelligent and well-mannered Sir Golden Hair. He knew she was technically Miss Featherton’s employee. But she deserved more.
He wanted more for her than that.
He wanted more. From her.
He saw he was unwittingly twisting the tablecloth in his fist menacingly and released it.
He saw Caroline see his fists.
“Why do you care?” she asked.
It hit him, like a drop of water that reverberated into a thousand ripples.
Oh, Christ.
He cared about her.
He might even be in love with her. She was everything: lovely, hard working, and kind.
She frowned at him, her lovely mouth turned down, and his heart pounded. He felt lightheaded. He stood up and accidentally bumped the table. Everyone in the dining room looked at him.
“Are you unwell?” Sutherland said.
He had to get some air. Alexander stammered an excuse and rushed to the door.
Wolfolk half expected Miss Holland to appear next to him, as she always did when he least wanted her to see him. He paused but didn’t see her come through the door.
Was he in love with her?
Panic roiled through him, and he clenched his jaw. He couldn’t love her. Could he?
He thought he loved Euge
nie, but that turned to disappointment and despair so quickly. He was sure he’d never feel anything for anyone again. And he didn’t want to—or couldn’t—go through anything like that again.
He wasn’t in love. He’d just been with her for the past few days and grown used to her.
His head started to clear. This was foolishness. He’d never been a lovesick schoolboy. He bedded women, but he didn’t lie awake at night thinking about them. That wasn’t who he ever been.
He couldn’t love her. If he did, then he could lose her.
He gulped the fresh evening air.
Caroline wondered where Wolfolk had gone, but she remained at the table. Sutherland and Nelly had barely looked away from each other since he had left. They sat close, heads together, whispering to each other and laughing frequently. It was almost improper, but she didn’t have the stomach to police her behavior after today.
Caroline felt sore and tired. All she needed to do was get Nelly to Howsham in the next two days. If they left early tomorrow morning and rode straight for the next two days, they might make it. Provided there were no more unexpected broken wheels or highwaymen.
She watched Sutherland as he leaned toward Nelly and said something in her ear. Maybe he did love her. Perhaps he would even marry her. A wave of longing pushed through her so intense, it caught Caroline’s breath.
She would never have that.
The intimacy with someone where you could tell them your innermost thoughts. Sorrow filled her chest. Better to be alone, she decided long ago. Still, sometimes it stung.
Nelly and Sutherland’s blond heads virtually touched, they were so close and tuned into each other. Caroline signed. Wolfolk was nowhere to be seen.
“I’ll be back shortly,” she said in a moment of frustration and walked to the back of the inn, pushed through a door outside and found herself behind the inn, in front of its stables.
She inhaled the sweet alfalfa and decided she would visit horses to cheer herself before dinner. Across a gravel drive, a large bay stuck its head out of its stall’s half door and nickered at her. A groom passed carrying a bucket of water and, in the corner, a boy swept, but other than that, now that the sun was going down, it was just she and the horses.
Lord to Love Again: A Sweet and Clean Regency Romance Page 17
