Page 55 of The Hired Hero
He was acting no better than his reprobate brother, about to tumble another man’s wife in the straw of a barn.
That awful thought managed to bank the fires of his desire.
But it wasn’t so very wrong, argued another, more defiant voice in his head. She was an experienced lady, knowing full well where this was going. Why, they would be acting no differently than half theton.It was accepted behavior, if not condoned, so why shouldn’t they indulge their passion?
Besides, the voice added, she deserved to know a touch of pleasure.
A ragged sigh escaped his lips. For a brief instant, he found himself wishing he had the morals of his brother as well as his looks. It wasn’t in him, however. Perhaps he was a romantic fool, but if they did embark on a liaison, it would be amid candlelight, silk and champagne.
Steely resolve cooled his wild urges. He turned Caroline to face him. “Forgive me for taking such liberties.” He tucked an errant lock of hair behind her ear. “Words don’t always come easily to me. But I want you to know how…how much I admire your courage, your sense of honor and your kindness.”
She smiled tentatively. “Your eyes are so changeable. Right now they are such a clear blue—the storm clouds seem to have been blown to sea.”
“Despite your knack for getting into trouble, you seem to make the sun shine through thick and thin.”
When she started to speak again, he pressed a finger to her lips. “Hush, we had better get some rest. We must be on the move at first light.”
Caroline sighed…and, a moment later, fell asleep in his arms.
* * *
Davenport awokebefore dawn as the horse in the stall beside them gave a kick to the splintered wood. Rough straw pickled his neck, his clothes were stiff with salt and his chin prickled with a night’s stubble. And that was hardly the worst of it. There was barely a part of his anatomy that wasn’t paining him. His spirits, however, hadn’t felt so light in ages as he glanced down at Caroline—that is, until he remembered she was someone else’s wife.
Her eyes opened slowly, then she sat up with a start.
“Oh!” A furious blush spread over her at the sight of the earl’s open shirt and her own disheveled clothing. “Ummm…I imagine we had better be off if we are to catch the first coach,” she said in a rush of words, struggling to fasten the buttons of her shirt and rise at the same time.
His hand stopped her fumblings. “Nay,” he said gently. “We have time. We needn’t rush.” He brushed a wisp of straw from her loosened hair. “Caroline, there is no need to feel embarrassed—or guilty. Your husband doesn’t deserve any loyalty for what he has done to you.”
Her eyes dropped to the ground.
“Look at me, urchin.”
She still refused to meet his gaze. “Do you still care for him, despite?” His voice had become rather brittle.
“I…”
His eyes took on the color of cold steel as he waited for her to go on.
“I don’t…”
“Yes?”
“I don’t…have a husband.”
Davenport could only stare at her in mute astonishment. “What?” he finally managed to croak.
“I’m sorry. I let you believe that because it seemed, well, easier at the time.”
“You mean to say you arenotmarried?” He said the words slowly and deliberately, as if drawing them out might help him comprehend their full import.
She nodded.
“Not ever?”
She nodded again.
“Bloody hell!”
