Page 68 of A Kiss to Stop a Wedding
‘You are staring.’
She blushed. ‘I beg your pardon. I have never seen—that is…’
‘My nightshirt is over the back of that chair. If you will bring it over, I will put it on.’
‘No, no, you will be cooler without it.’ She felt overdressed in her cotton riding habit.
Observing Matt’s grin, she blushed even more. ‘It is very hot. Shall I go and order refreshments for us?’
‘There is a bell pull by the fireplace.’
She felt Matt’s eyes on her as she moved across the room to ring for a servant. They were silent until he had given his orders to the man who hurried in, then he invited Flora to come and talk to him.
‘I have been alone here since Jepps left this afternoon,’ he said.
‘You have sent him to Bellemonte?’
‘Aye. He caught the stage to Banbury earlier today.’
She pulled a chair beside the bed and sat down. ‘I hope he is safe, then. Lord Whilton is searching locally for him. And for you. He knows now that you are alive.’
‘Does he know your part in my rescue?’
‘No. Although he suspects you might try to contact me. He is sending over one of his footmen tomorrow, my personal escort until the wedding. That is why I had to come now, before my every action is watched—’
She broke off as a servant entered with a tray. Matt ordered him to leave it on the side table and when they were alone again he went on.
‘So, no one knows where you are?’
‘No.’
‘Is your maid not waiting downstairs?’
She shook her head. ‘I took to my bed after the Viscount left, pleading a headache and saying I did not want to be disturbed. Then I slipped out and rode over here.’
‘But surely the grooms will know where you have gone!’
‘I had a quiet word with John Coachman and he arranged for everyone to be busy elsewhere for a half-hour. I would not have any of them reprimanded for allowing me to go out alone.’
‘Are you telling me you saddled your own horse?’
She opened her eyes wide at him. ‘Of course, and I used the mounting block in the stable yard. I am not completely without accomplishments, Mr Talacre.’
‘I am beginning to realise that! You should not be here.’
‘I had to see you. Our parting last night was too sudden.’
‘Yes. We need to talk.’
He held out his hand to her, but she ignored it and stared at her own hands, firmly clasped in her lap.
‘That is not why I came,’ she said quietly. ‘Mysituation has not changed, but I wanted to see you, to say goodbye properly.’
She looked up to find his eyes fixed on her. What she read in them made her heart race and she quickly got up from her chair.
‘Let me pour something for us to drink. Let me see…what will you have, sir?’
By the time she had poured beer for Matt and a glass of lemonade for herself she had regained her equilibrium.
