Page 41 of The Hired Hero
“I’m sorry to have put you to so much trouble,” she continued. “And alas, it seems to keep getting worse.”
Davenport chuckled at that. “Worse? Hmmm, let me see—I’ve been forced into a mad chase on horseback, I’ve been shot at, punched in the gut and now winged by a bullet. I figure at this rate, I’ll be sticking my spoon in the wall before noon tomorrow.”
“No!” Caroline’s voice caught in her throat. “Don’t say that! I…”
“I was merely teasing,” he said, surprised by her reaction. Was it merely his imagination, or had she brushed her fingertips against his cheek in something akin to a caress?
“Hmmph.” She scowled. “It’snota jesting matter.”
He didn’t answer. But when he closed his eyes, there was a slight smile on his lips.
Twelve
Caroline awoke to a pale glimmering of dawn on the horizon. With a stab of guilt, she sat up, careful not to disturb the sleeping earl. The gig was moving at a faster clip, she noted with satisfaction, but poor Mr. Leighton had been driving for hours. He must be exhausted.
“Mr. Leighton,” she called softly. “Forgive me—I fear I have abandoned you all night. Surely you need some sleep yourself. I could take the reins for a time.”
Jeremy turned and gave a quick grin. He looked a trifle peaked, but there was also a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes. “No need. We’ll be arriving at our destination shortly. And actually, I find that I’ve enjoyed the task. It’s rather exciting to be able to partake in an adventure again.” His gaze shifted to the lump beneath the blanket next to Caroline. “I take it Julian has not taken a turn for the worse?”
“He seems to be resting comfortably enough, but I think his wound should be properly cleaned and bandaged soon, lest a fever set in.”
“Yes, well, that won’t be a problem. But let us also hope that his temper doesn’t become even more inflamed. I’m afraid he won’t be overly happy with our destination, but I couldn’t think of where else to go.”
Caroline wondered what he meant, but Jeremy seemed loath to elaborate. With a shake of the reins, he turned his attention back to the road and began whistling a lively country melody.
The air had taken on a tang of salt. They must be near the sea, she thought as she leaned back in the hay and stared up at the lightening sky. The question was, had they managed to come any closer to London, and how would she continue with her vital mission? Caroline fervently hoped there would be a carriage, a horse, a mule—any sort of transportation—to get her to Town.
A sigh slipped from her lips. Despite the earl’s growls and snaps, she would miss the reassuring strength of Davenport’s presence, for, surely, he would now cry off from their bargain. Indeed, she would insist on it. He couldn’t be allowed to risk his life any longer.
So from now on, she would be back on her own…
Davenport stirred, bringing her thoughts back to the moment.. His eyes fluttered open, then narrowed as they took in the flickering daylight. “How long have I been asleep?” he demanded.
“Hours. But Mr. Leighton says we’re nearly there.”
“What is our destination?” he demanded.
She shrugged. “He hasn’t told me that.”
“Jeremy,” called Davenport. “Where are you taking us?”
There was a long silence.
“Jeremy?”
After a slight hesitation, the earl’s friend seemed to concede that there was no point in trying to hide the truth. “To Lymington.”
Davenport frowned. “Who do you know in Lymington?”
“L-Lady Helen.”
The earl sat up, a spasm of pain passing over his pale face. “No!” he snapped as he began trying to untangle himself from the blanket. “I?—”
Caroline placed a hand on his chest and pushed him back down onto the hay.
“Julian, there was no other choice,” said Jeremy. “We needed a place where you could get treatment for your wound, and I didn’t think we could risk anywhere close to my lodging house.”
A pause. “I’m sorry if it doesn’t meet with your approval, but, in truth, it’s the perfect place—it’s quite isolated and away from prying eyes. It will give us a chance to decide how to proceed.”
