Madcap Miss

by Claudy Conn

  There was nothing for it, because that lad abovestairs would surely have bled to death had he not happened along. Daffy would, in the end, understand, and while she was in charge of his ward he was confident that all would go along beautifully well in that matter.

  As he looked at Felicia’s provocative figure in her tightly fitted breeches, with her high boots all dusty, as was her linen blouse, he realized he was more than a little attracted to the minx. He shouldn’t be, but there it was. His better judgment bade him look away. She was too young … too untried … too!

  He shifted in his seat, damned uncomfortable because his manhood didn’t care about his better judgment and made him aware of this fact.

  Now, the question was what to do with the little vixen tootling about the room? They were a plucky pair, Felicia and Scott, and he found that he liked them both. He could not just desert them as they had made a mull of the entire adventure they had undertaken.

  “What are you thinking?” Felicia eyed him doubtfully and brought his attention back to her lovely face.

  He looked her over and realized that, on the morrow, he would have to do something about clothing for the two of them. She could not continue to strut about in breeches, and Scott’s clothing was just as bad, torn and bloodied now.

  He sighed before answering her. “I was just wondering what I am going to do with you and Scott.”

  “Do?” Felicia put up her chin. “We aren’t bushels of potatoes, you know, and are quite capable of taking care of ourselves.”

  “Indeed, as you have so adequately demonstrated?” he snapped back at her.

  He saw the blush rise to her cheeks, and all he could think was, You beauty—you.

  She bit her lip and looked away before returning her gaze to him. “I am sorry. I must have sounded very ungrateful.”

  “I don’t want your gratitude,” he answered, sounding irritated even to himself.

  “No, you aren’t the sort that would, are you?” She shrugged and then regarded him defiantly. “Accidents do happen. It wasn’t all our fault, you know.”

  “Fewer accidents happen when you don’t rush headstrong, willy-nilly, into things, you know,” he answered with an arched look at her.

  She gave him her back and walked to the fireplace. She put out her hands to the flame before picking up the poker and shuffling the small logs about.

  He watched her and said finally, “The fire burns well enough.” He then grinned widely, for she ignored him and continued to jab at the embers.

  “Come, Felicia, sit with me so that we may talk,” he coaxed.

  She turned and looked at him doubtfully. “I won’t converse with you if you become disagreeable again.”

  He smiled. “Right then, you tell me the moment I become so.”

  She beamed and then laughed. “Right then,” she said and came back to the table to sit.

  He had poured himself another snifter of brandy and sipped it for a long while before he offered, “You know, I had not meant to offend you, Felicia. I am aware of the awkwardness of your situation, and thought, as I am older—”

  “Older?” she said, looking at him sharply. “Oh, but you aren’t that much older than I.”

  “I am nine and twenty and therefore in a position to use my life’s experiences to advantage,” he said softly.

  “Nine and twenty is nothing … just eight years older. There is nothing to say in that,” she countered.

  He did not reply to this but said instead, “Have you considered the fact that Scott will not be able to travel for at least a week?”

  Felicia’s eyes darted to his, and he was nearly struck dumb. Such depths of emotion glittered in those green jewels. She was stunning.

  She said, “No … oh no. As much as that?”

  Such desperation lined her voice. He could see the wheels turning in her mind. She was looking to him for an answer, and he knew in that moment only a need to assuage and calm her. He didn’t know how it was that he reached out and took her fingers and why the touch should send shivers through his body. He was a man of the world—not a schoolboy—and yet her touch excited him beyond understanding.

  “As it happens,” he offered her gently, “I am in no rush to get to where I am going. I will wait out the week with you, advance you the ready for your shot here at the inn … and for the clothes you most desperately will need.”

  She blushed. “Oh, no, sir … I couldn’t let you do that. It may be some weeks before I can repay you.”

  “Your credit, Felicia, is good with me. I have an instinct about people, and I am not worried about a few pieces of coin where you and Scott are concerned. Besides that, you have said you are a lady of means, and I believe you.” He gave her a warm smile.

  “This is deuced uncomfortable …” she said, not looking at him.

  “It would be more so if you had to sleep on the open road and arrive in London at Scott’s aunt, the two of you in bloody and ragged clothes.”

  She considered this, and said with her head lowered, “Indeed, sir, you are too kind, but if I may point out something, sir?”

  “You may.” He absolutely was drawn to this impish woman.

  “It will not be seemly, you … being here with us. Won’t it attract undue attention?”

  “No. I shall announce myself as a relative, your uncle, in fact, traveling with brother and sister. Quite above board,” he said, grinning broadly.

  “You don’t look old enough to be our uncle,” she pointed out and then shyly regarded her toes.

  He felt absurdly flattered. “Don’t I? Well, you needn’t worry, vixen, for no one will question who I am.”

  * * *

  Felicia’s mind was nearly made up. She had observed Ashton’s behavior quite thoroughly and had decided he was not a foe. In fact, not only did she think he meant them no harm, she also knew in her heart that he meant to aid them.

  She took it further in her thoughts and decided that she was certain he could and would see them to a happy conclusion.

  More than that, she liked him; in fact, she liked him a great deal. He was a bit overbearing—or rather, commanding—but it was very pleasant to put matters into his hands and allow him to handle them. She had been ‘handling’ so much since she lost first her father and then her stepmama, which had made life one endless and daily decision-making ordeal.

  His presence exuded an aura of authority, and he seemed to know just what to do without even putting much effort into it.

  Besides all that, when she looked at him she felt drawn, physically drawn to him. Everything about him was sensual. His eyes, his lips, his voice—everything made her want to sink into his arms and beg for the safety those arms were sure to give. She also realized that, more than once, she had wondered what it would be like to kiss such a giant of a man … such a handsome and sophisticated and wondrous man.

  She was absurd.

  Just look, Felicia, how he manages you. Well, yes, and although no one had ever done so before, she found she liked it—a great deal. Indeed, where would she be now, if he hadn’t come along and taken charge?

  He broke into her thoughts. “Felicia, Felicia … did you hear me?”

  “What? Oh, I am sorry … what did you say?”

  “I said that you needn’t worry. I shall handle it all, and you know, any explanation I give will be accepted. Brother and sister will be accepted, and as far as your luggage is concerned, I shall manage that in the morning.”

  Luggage? Oh my, but he was right. She sighed. “You are, of course, quite correct.” She thought about this and worriedly asked, “What if someone who knows us, or you, stops by?”

  “How far from home are you?”

  She could not be so easily taken in. If she answered honestly, he might figure out who she really was. He had Scott’s name already, and he knew they had grown up in each other’s way. If she gave him their direction, he would know everything. She wasn’t ready to trust him that much yet, not yet. She answered carefully, “Tha
t doesn’t matter. Someone might come searching for us, you see. I won’t be taken.”

  “I won’t let you be taken. Do not doubt me, child.”

  “I am not a—”

  “Child,” he filled in and chuckled. “So you tell me, but even so, do let this matter rest with me.”

  She got up again and paced. He also got to his feet, and she found his hands, oh, his strong hands, on her shoulders and brought up her gaze to his silver-bright eyes. She heard his intake of breath and wondered at it, and then he said, “I promise you, Felicia, no one shall make you marry anyone without your leave. Will you trust me in that?”

  “Yes, I think I will,” she answered, feeling as though he had sucked the breath from her lungs as she trembled in his hold. She was a wretch. How could she keep secrets from such a wonderfully kind gentleman? He must have been on his way somewhere, and he simply abandoned his plans to help her and Scott, but what had she done? She had lied to him, for a half truth was a lie.

  A tear formed in her eye as she suddenly felt the weight of the world descend upon her. He took her chin and said, “What? What is this? No tears, beauty. There is no need.”

  “You are too, too good,” she said on a sniff.

  “Come along,” he answered as he put her at arm’s length. “Time to go up, wash, and get some rest.”

  She shook her head and sighed softly. “No. I think not.”

  “You think not?” He was astounded.

  “I mean to sit up and watch Scott … just in case …”

  He took her hand and firmly led her to the stairs. “You, my girl, will do exactly as I bid you, and that is, for now, to get some rest.”

  “Yes, but—”

  “If anyone is going to sit up with Scott, for the sake of propriety it will be I.” He cut off all further buts.

  She gasped. “Oh … no. I could not allow you to do that. You have done so much for us already, I simply cannot allow you to do more.”

  “My little beauty, I am quite used to getting my own way and am not about to allow that to change now,” he said, obviously trying to make light of it.

  He was a knight who had ridden up out of the dark and saved them. Without realizing what she was doing, she took his hand to her cheek. This sent a bolt of electric energy through her body, and their eyes met.

  What was this? What was happening? She got on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “I shall never forget how much we owe you for this night’s work.”

  He saw her to her room, watched her go in, and bid her good night as she closed the door. She rested her back against it for a long moment. Life had suddenly taken on a new flavor, and that flavor was Glen Ashton.

  He had said he was used to getting his own way. So was she. Her parents had spoiled her with love and indulged her high spirits. She often wielded her friends with her easy manners and her own brand of stubbornness. To be led about by anyone was something she had never allowed, and yet here she was, meekly handing over the reins.

  This was all so new and so very unsettling.

  ~ Eight ~

  FELICIA OPENED HER eyes with a start and sat straight up, a question hitting her hard: Where was she? She looked around and squinted against the bright rays of the sun streaming in through her window. Ugh, she had forgotten to draw the pretty yellow hangings last evening.

  Faith! Last evening? That was right. She was in a strange inn, and Scott was recovering from a gunshot! Scott was down the hall … and a complete stranger had helped them.

  She sank back against her pillows. She had nothing on, as she had dropped all her clothing to the floor before getting into bed. Everything was ruined, even her undergarments, as the blood had soaked right through her riding jacket and had gotten all over the breeches. The only things she could still wear were her high-topped riding boots.

  In addition to that, she had washed only her face in the bowl last night; she felt completely filthy.

  What she needed was a bath—a nice soapy, hot bath.

  Fie, Felicia, she told herself. Scott is down the hall … hurt, and all you are worried about is your needs. And then, for no reason at all, someone else popped into her head.

  Glen Ashton.

  How kind he had been. He had procured this room for her, seen to Scott … and then saw her fed and reassured. Just how was she ever to thank him?

  A knock sounded at her door, and she called out as she covered herself to her chin, “Yes?”

  A young maid peeked in and said, “Your bath is ready, miss …” The young woman stepped into the room and set down a large leather portmanteau, a hatbox, and a large, wrapped package. “Your uncle, Mr. Ashton, sent these up.” She indicated the bag and then placed a package on the chair just inside the room. “And this package as well.”

  “Thank you, but, but … what time is it?”

  “Well past nine, miss. Mr. Ashton said not to wake you, so I waited a goodly while.”

  “Oh no, oh my. I never sleep so late … oh, please tell me, my … my brother … how is he?”

  “His lordship said to tell you that your brother slept well and has already had some gruel. The doctor is due later this morning. I think Mr. Scott wandered back into a sleep.” She bobbed a curtsy and said as she turned back towards the door, “Shall I help you with your bath, miss?”

  “You are very kind, but, no, thank you. I think I can manage. Down the hall, is it?”

  “Yes, miss.”

  Felicia’s mind was a whirlwind. She jumped up and ran to collect and open everything the maid had delivered. She attacked the package first and tore it open to display some undergarments, a nightdress, and a lovely pale blue silk and lace dressing gown.

  He had thought of everything, but the notion of him picking out the lacy undergarments made her heat up from her toes to the top of her head.

  Some thirty minutes later, having had a delicious hot bath, she stood before the mirror brushing her black hair into velvet waves. She was already wearing the black velvet riding ensemble he had chosen for her over the white lace shirt beneath, and she placed the matching black velvet top hat with its white sheer band onto her head. It was perfect. She took it off and left it ready on the bed, turned, gave herself another glance in the mirror, and found she was well pleased with the picture she presented.

  Excited, she went forward to see Scott and hopefully … she realized that the thought was ‘hopefully’ Glen Ashton.

  It felt wonderful to be clean and in such a lovely ensemble. She had to wonder just what Ashton had to pay to get the shopkeeper to open so early to accommodate him.

  In high spirits she made her way to Scott’s room and knocked on the door. When he didn’t answer, she opened it a crack and was surprised to find it swathed in darkness. She had simply assumed he would be awake by now.

  Worried, she tiptoed towards his bed, bent over, and put her palm to his forehead. Sighing with relief that he felt cool to the touch, she put a finger to his shoulder and dropped a kiss on his cheek.

  “Good morning,” Ashton whispered from a rocking chair in the darkness.

  She gasped even as her hand flew to her heart; she had not seen him there. “Oh my faith. You nearly scared me to death.”

  “I had hoped not to do that.” He grinned while speaking softly.

  “When did you get back from town?”

  He moved to open the drape slightly and allow some light into the room before he answered, “Only a short while ago, and may I say, you look lovely, my dear. I thought that ensemble would suit you.”

  “Oh, yes, and thank you. You are as you have been from the start, more than kind, but tell me, sir, however did you know my size?”

  “I have a good eye,” he said quietly.

  “Hallo!” Scott said from the bed, making an attempt to sit up and then collapsing against the pillows. “What the deuce are you two going on about?” He rubbed his eyes with the knuckles of one hand.

  “Ah, my man of the hour is awake. What an excellent sign.” She moved to
wards the hangings, opened them wide, and fixed them in place. “There, that is better.”

  “Devilish creature,” he said. “All that light all at once. Trying to kill a man, are you?”

  “No, you do that too well all on your own,” she shot back at him amiably.

  He grinned. “Hungry and don’t want any more of that dashed disgusting gruel.”

  “Hmm, I am not sure—”

  Ashton cut her off. “Do you know, I do think that a good idea. He is not feverish, and food will replenish his strength.”

  “There, you heard the man. Off now, be a good girl and fetch,” Scott unwisely said.

  “Careful, my buck. You will fully recover, and my memory is long, and I can be patient as I plot out my revenge.”

  They all laughed, but Felicia said, “Right then, off I go to have a tray brought up to you.” She turned back to Ashton. “Anything for you, sir?”

  “No … I think I will go and wash up and change,” Ashton said.

  A moment later he walked her to the staircase, and she touched his arm to thank him again. “Sir, we will always be in your debt for your continued kindness.”

  “I find I don’t wish for either of you to be in my debt. Rather, I would hope, Felicia, that you will trust me and tell me the whole truth so that I may safely see you situated.”

  She was surprised. Had he not believed the story she had given him? It was very nearly the truth.

  She lowered her gaze and said, “I have already told you our circumstances. There is no more than that.”

  “Ah, but there is,” he answered enigmatically and turned to make his way to his room.

  * * *

  Felicia stopped by her room, took up her hat, and then made her way downstairs and arranged for a breakfast to be taken to Scott. She then had a quick cup of coffee and swallowed a sweet bun nearly whole while standing.

  She needed some fresh air and perhaps a ride?

  Guilt swept through her as she thought of Ashton asking her to trust him. She was keeping things from him, which in her mind was the same thing as lying. He had been all that was good and kind, and she had given him only half-truths in return. It was very wrong of her.