await your company.”
Blake laughed and withdrew his hand from beneath her chin. “I am an experienced guide in adventurous matters, my dear. I think you will find I can take you on wondrous expeditions.”
“Oh dear!”
“I did not mean to shock you, Nicole.”
She shook her head. “Shock me? Oh, no, your proposal sounds most intriguing. I have always enjoyed a rousing adventure. No, I was merely recalling your plan to come for tea tomorrow. I will not be home from my fishing expedition until after one o'clock. I hope that does not wreak havoc with your schedule.”
“Fishing expedition?”
She grinned. “My brother's blood price for secrecy. I find bribery forestalls scenes such as we experienced last night.”
“I have not been angling since I left England. Perhaps I shall join you. When will you be going?”
The thought of spending more time with him, even with Shelby present, sent alarm shooting through Nicki. “We will leave at nine o'clock in the morning. It's dreadfully cold in the morning.”
He shrugged. “I think I can survive.”
“And wet. It's sure to rain.”
“I shall be certain to take all necessary precautions.”
Nicki bit her lip, thinking furiously. “Shelby has only one pole . . . ”
“I have a pole, I have a cloak to protect me from the rain, and I am generally out of bed long before nine o'clock. I shall come for you in the morning.”
Unable to argue further without being rude, she sighed. “Shelby shall adore your company, but are you certain?”
“Nine it is. Now, I distinctly recall seeing one boot land in that direction.” He motioned toward the largest of the rose bushes, then strode away into the darkness.
Somehow, the garden seemed more sinister without his presence at her side.
She shook off the sensation. As she carefully separated branches in search of her riding boots, she wondered if perhaps she had been too generous in her bargaining. Nicki knew Mina was awaiting her return to hear the results of the meeting with the earl. She would be ecstatic when Nicki told her she would have her Season.
It seemed everyone would be getting something from this union. Everyone, that is, except her.
. . .
Blake saddled Banbury quickly and grabbed one of the worn cloaks hanging on a peg near the stable door. He found Nicole waiting for him near the front porch and drew his horse to a halt beside her.
“You came to Rosewood on foot?”
In the moonlight, her face appeared as pale and ethereal as that of an angel. “I did.”
“Then you shall ride with me back to Langley Hall.”
The tightening of her lovely mouth dispelled any resemblance to heavenly creatures. “I believe I shall walk alongside your horse, thank you just the same.”
With a slight pressure of one knee, Blake urged Banbury to sidestep closer to Nicole. “The hour grows late. If you are afraid, let me assure you I shall comport myself with the utmost restraint.”
“I am not afraid!” Nicole lifted her chin. “I merely felt some concern for the horse.”
Blake laughed. “This great beast? He will scarcely notice the addition of a person as light as thistledown. Come. Give me your hand.”
“Very well, but do not say I did not warn you.”
Blake tossed the frayed edges of cloak aside, bent down and grabbed Nicole's wrist. He then half lifted, half tossed her onto the horse so that she sat sidewise in front of him with her bottom nestled between his legs. Nicole, after flashing him an alarmed glance, sat rigidly straight and clenched her hands beneath the folds of her skirt.
He wondered at her sudden shyness. “Lean into me.”
Ignoring his suggestion, she continued to balance herself over the neck of the horse until Blake took the reins, thus encasing her within his arms.
“Lean against me. I will not allow you to fall, Nicole.”
Hesitant, she did as he suggested. Her head came to just beneath his chin and Blake could not resist breathing deeply of the fresh rose scent of her
Blake laughed and withdrew his hand from beneath her chin. “I am an experienced guide in adventurous matters, my dear. I think you will find I can take you on wondrous expeditions.”
“Oh dear!”
“I did not mean to shock you, Nicole.”
She shook her head. “Shock me? Oh, no, your proposal sounds most intriguing. I have always enjoyed a rousing adventure. No, I was merely recalling your plan to come for tea tomorrow. I will not be home from my fishing expedition until after one o'clock. I hope that does not wreak havoc with your schedule.”
“Fishing expedition?”
She grinned. “My brother's blood price for secrecy. I find bribery forestalls scenes such as we experienced last night.”
“I have not been angling since I left England. Perhaps I shall join you. When will you be going?”
The thought of spending more time with him, even with Shelby present, sent alarm shooting through Nicki. “We will leave at nine o'clock in the morning. It's dreadfully cold in the morning.”
He shrugged. “I think I can survive.”
“And wet. It's sure to rain.”
“I shall be certain to take all necessary precautions.”
Nicki bit her lip, thinking furiously. “Shelby has only one pole . . . ”
“I have a pole, I have a cloak to protect me from the rain, and I am generally out of bed long before nine o'clock. I shall come for you in the morning.”
Unable to argue further without being rude, she sighed. “Shelby shall adore your company, but are you certain?”
“Nine it is. Now, I distinctly recall seeing one boot land in that direction.” He motioned toward the largest of the rose bushes, then strode away into the darkness.
Somehow, the garden seemed more sinister without his presence at her side.
She shook off the sensation. As she carefully separated branches in search of her riding boots, she wondered if perhaps she had been too generous in her bargaining. Nicki knew Mina was awaiting her return to hear the results of the meeting with the earl. She would be ecstatic when Nicki told her she would have her Season.
It seemed everyone would be getting something from this union. Everyone, that is, except her.
. . .
Blake saddled Banbury quickly and grabbed one of the worn cloaks hanging on a peg near the stable door. He found Nicole waiting for him near the front porch and drew his horse to a halt beside her.
“You came to Rosewood on foot?”
In the moonlight, her face appeared as pale and ethereal as that of an angel. “I did.”
“Then you shall ride with me back to Langley Hall.”
The tightening of her lovely mouth dispelled any resemblance to heavenly creatures. “I believe I shall walk alongside your horse, thank you just the same.”
With a slight pressure of one knee, Blake urged Banbury to sidestep closer to Nicole. “The hour grows late. If you are afraid, let me assure you I shall comport myself with the utmost restraint.”
“I am not afraid!” Nicole lifted her chin. “I merely felt some concern for the horse.”
Blake laughed. “This great beast? He will scarcely notice the addition of a person as light as thistledown. Come. Give me your hand.”
“Very well, but do not say I did not warn you.”
Blake tossed the frayed edges of cloak aside, bent down and grabbed Nicole's wrist. He then half lifted, half tossed her onto the horse so that she sat sidewise in front of him with her bottom nestled between his legs. Nicole, after flashing him an alarmed glance, sat rigidly straight and clenched her hands beneath the folds of her skirt.
He wondered at her sudden shyness. “Lean into me.”
Ignoring his suggestion, she continued to balance herself over the neck of the horse until Blake took the reins, thus encasing her within his arms.
“Lean against me. I will not allow you to fall, Nicole.”
Hesitant, she did as he suggested. Her head came to just beneath his chin and Blake could not resist breathing deeply of the fresh rose scent of her
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