As Luck Would Have It by Alissa Johnson

Author:Alissa Johnson
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2010-11-11T05:00:00+00:00

~~teert

Alex didn't say a word, just took Sophie's elbow in a firm grip and led her toward the waiting carriage. She sneaked a sideways glance at his profile. He looked furious.

He assisted her in, then exchanged a few curt words with the bruised, but otherwise uninjured, driver before climbing in after her.

Did he blame her for what happened? The thought felt like a knife to her chest.

Alex raised one fist to pound sharply on the ceiling to start the carriage rolling. The sound made her flinch. And then snap.

"I didn't do anything wrong!" she exclaimed in shaky voice. And then, to her shock, and absolute mortification, she began to cry. She wasn't a weeper, as a general rule. And she'd certainly been through more traumatic experiences in the past than what had just occurred. Nonetheless, she could feel the tears begin to leak from the corner of her eyes and couldn't hide the catch in her breath.

Alex reached for her at the sound. Before she knew it, she was settled on his lap, her head tucked neatly against his shoulder and his arms wound tightly around her.

"Hush, sweetheart. Hush. This wasn't your fault."

"You're angry," she accused between sniffles.

He tightened his arms around her. "Not at you, Sophie."

"You're mad at something," she pointed out.

"I'm furious with those men."

"Yes, but they're not in this carriage and-"

"And I'm mad at myself," he finally acknowledged.

Sophie tried to sit up to see his face, but he gently pressed her head back. "Just relax now. You've had a scare."

"I'm much better, really," she insisted but leaned against him all the same. "Why are you mad at yourself?"

Alex hesitated before he answered, and when he finally spoke his voice was rough with emotion. "I should never have let this happen."

"It wasn't your fault either, Alex."

"I should have walked you safely to the carriage."

"That's absurd," she declared. "It was only across the street."

She felt him shake his head, his chin rubbing a scratchy trail across her forehead. "It doesn't matter how close it was, it was my duty to see you safely there. I failed in that."

A long silence followed in which Sophie gave thought to what he had said and what she might say to make things right again. Finally, she decided on, "HYmmn."

Alex pulled her up by the shoulders to look at her. "What does that mean, `hmnm'?"

"Oh, nothing," she responded offhandedly. "I just realized this is one of those silly masculine things."

Alex rewarded her impertinence with a small smile. "I don't think you're allowed to use the words `silly' and `masculine' in the same sentence."

"Really? How odd I've only just now heard of this rule."

"Well, you have been out of the country for a while."

"HYmmn."

Alex moved to settle her back against him.

"Alex, I'm much recovered, please let me go."

"Not quite yet."

"Now," she insisted.

He only partially relented, allowing her to remain sitting upright but refusing to let her off his lap. "I can't understand this sudden aversion you have-"

"It's not an aversion," she interrupted. "It's a matter of employing a little common sense and good judgment.

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