Page 78 of The Duke's Wicked Widow
“Shite,” he muttered, sitting back on the hard bench, knowing eventhatwas wrong, since the lassie might have heard his bad language.
Since receiving that telegram two nights ago, Ellie had come up with a dozen reasons why they shouldn’t accompany him to Hangcok Hill. But the fact remained; he could escort them to his home then they could travel to Endymion, far easier than they could travel alone.
It took a day to fetch the tickets and arrange for Ellie’s things to be sent to Scotland—another two nights sleeping on the hard sofa—but they’d left bright and early that morning.
Ellie was clearly uncomfortable, announcing she was “imposing upon his time of grief” a half-dozen times a day. Merida, who’d been the one to declare they’d be traveling together, was thrilled.
“Look at how fast we’re going!” she practically shrieked. “Look! Cows! Hello, cows! Look, Tramp, cows!”
The dog—who was allowed in this second-class carriage only if leashed and muzzled, and even then Fawkes had to pay a significant fee—jumped happily on Merida’s lap. Not having the heart to haul the pup down, Fawkes watched to ensure the girl had a good hold on him.
Ellie hushed the girl, tugging her back to sit on her bottom. “You do nothaveto announce the cows, honeybear, we can see them.”
Despite his bad mood, Fawkes’s lips twitched. “I thought it was a rule on a road trip: if ye see cows, ye announce them.”
“Are we on a ‘road trip’, then?” Ellie asked, almost archly. His lips twitched again.
“Look, Tramp, more cows!”
Ellie sighed.
Aye, this trip was a grand adventure for Merida, and despite the worry in his chest, Fawkes was glad both of them were with him. Aye, and for the stated reason: it was safer for them to travel north with him as an escort, as long as no one recognized Ellie.
But also…because after the days he’d had them in his home, he wasn’t ready to let them go. Not yet.
This trip would be uncomfortable for Ellie, who was used to first-class accommodations, butChrist, the thought of saying goodbye to her—to them both… Swallowing, Fawkes sat back against the bench.
It had been natural to hook her arm through his, to hold Merida’s hand with his other, to direct the porters with their luggage and to handle the tickets. As if they were a family. And aye, he’d booked Ellie as “Mrs. MacMillan”, but every single time someone called her that, every time he felt her wedding ring through her gloves, it was a reminder thiswasn’treal,wasn’tthe truth.
They’d reach Scotland, perhaps rest at Hangcok Hill for a day or two, and then they’d be off to Endymion to live with her sister.
And Demon. Demon, who’d been one of Blackrose’s agents and who would recognize Fawkes. Demon, who hadn’t realized Fawkes wasn’t as retired as the rest of them.
But Demon was a duke now, and his wife—and Ellie—were daughters of an Earl. Fawkes? He was a nobody.
It was better Ellie and Merida move to Endymion, even if the timing was inconvenient. That’s where they belonged.
Andthatwas why he was in such a shite mood.
“Horses! The cows have turned into horses, look!”
There were chuckles around them, reminding Fawkes that this wasn’t nearly as private as a train compartment would be. There were some available in the second-class carriages, and perhaps Fawkes should splurge on one for the second half of their journey.
“They did notturninto horses,” Ellie began, but Merida huffed.
“Iknow, I’m just saying—oh, look at that one trying to run in the snow! I’m glad it’s not too deep.”
Fawkes roused himself. “In Scotland, the livestock are already tucked away cozy in their barns. The farmers feed them during the worst of the winter, when they cannae reach the long grasses through the snow.”
Merida, eyes bright, turned from the window and plonked herself down, stroking Tramp’s coat. “My tooth is even looser today, wanna see?” She stuck her free hand in her mouth. “’Ook. I can ‘iggle it ‘ike ‘is.”
Rolling her eyes, Ellie reached for the girl’s wrist. “A lady does not put her fingers in her mouth.”
“Maybe I don’t wannabea lady.”
“A gentleman doesnae either,” Fawkes pointed out—unhelpfully, apparently, judging from the exasperated glare Ellie sent him. He shrugged, feeling a grin coming on.
Even when he was in a shite mood, Merida managed to make him smile.
