A Duke in Time Saves Nine (Dukes in Danger Book 4) by Emily E K Murdoch

Author:Emily E K Murdoch [Murdoch, Emily E K]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2023-06-22T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Although Nancy had never traveled on a ship before, this was what she had imagined.

The gentle sway of the carriage. The wind whistling past them, the fabric whipping in the breeze. The way the landscape through the window never seemed to change, yet if you looked away for an hour or so, it was suddenly completely different. The weather had such an impact. Then the constant need to stay still yet the yearning to walk about.

Nancy smiled as her gaze flickered around the carriage. She had thought it rather impressive when she had first helped herself to a seat. And it still was in a way.

The cushioned seats were still there. There was still a blanket on the side to cover her legs when the chilly autumnal air threatened to seep through the cracks into the carriage.

But it was different, somehow.

Smaller, perhaps. Nancy certainly felt as though there was less air in the place. The presence of a handsome man who was doing nothing but infuriating her then making her feel so warm and soft was playing havoc with her ability to concentrate.

But for now, as he slept, she watched him. The way his chest slowly moved, his cravat loose, his top shirt button open. His green coat had been removed and was now placed over him like a blanket—a suggestion he had rolled his eyes at when she had first done it, but he was now curled up underneath it.

Nancy’s stomach twisted. It was not an unpleasant feeling, more an unexpected one.

What on earth was she doing?

Byron shifted in his sleep, turning his face to the window, the arch of his jawline even more obvious. She tried not to notice, but it was like pretending the sun was not there, or that rain wasn’t wet.

Byron Renwick was a good-looking man, but more than that, he had a good soul. At least, that was what she assumed was driving this determination to catch the Glasshand Gang.

What else could it be?

Nancy had spoken the truth earlier that morning when she had told Byron her reputation was all but gone.

“I merely meant that when I return to London, my reputation will be ruined.”

Possible it may be to pretend she had been wed, the very idea of returning as a fake widow to London was not something Nancy could countenance. How could she keep that sort of thing a secret? How could she pretend, for the rest of her life, that she had known the sweet touch of a spouse?

And that was without even thinking how she could attempt to explain to Matthew and Beth…

Nancy smiled despite herself. Well, perhaps on paper this whole escapade was a mistake—but it didn’t feel like it.

For the first time in her life, she had spoken with a man who treated her as an equal. A person. Not a woman conniving to catch a man, not a simpering miss who didn’t have two thoughts in her head.

This felt right. And though she knew the deception was false, it almost felt like—

“Where are we?”

Nancy started.

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