Does The Earl Love Me by Jasmine Ashford

Author:Jasmine Ashford [Ashford, Jasmine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance, Women's Fiction, Regency, victorian, London Society, England, Britain, 19th Century, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Hearts Desire, Life-Changes, Second Chances, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Clean & Wholesome, Yorkshire Downs; Love, Hearts & Challenges, Fugitive Earl, Duke of Lennox, Brutal Duel, kidnapping
Publisher: Rushmore House Publishers Co.
Published: 2017-10-03T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

ON THE JOURNEY

ON THE JOURNEY

Two weary travelers walked down the track, heading toward London.

“How much further do we have to go?” Alicia asked Leo, leaning back to stretch her weary muscles and looking up at Leo, who still rode slowly beside her. Overhead, the sky was the rich cerulean of late autumn, the gold of the last leaves a magnificent contrast.

“Thirty miles,” Leo answered, raising his hand to shield his eyes.

Alicia groaned. Her back ached, and her hands were chafed from holding the reins. They had been riding almost solidly for two days and had slept the last two nights in abandoned barns.

“I don't know if I can do that,” she said in a small voice. The thought of another day or two like this was almost too horrible to contemplate.

“I understand,” Leo said slowly. He paused, thinking, and then grinned. “I have a better idea.”

“You do?”

“I have,” he said smugly. “You see that inn down there?” He dismounted and came to stand with her.

“Yes.” Alicia wrinkled her brow, creasing up her eyes to see the inn. The wide plains before them were wind-beaten and empty, except for the solitary building. It lay at the bottom of the hill, close to the road.

“That is the place the mail-coach stops,” Leo explained. “If we can stay there tonight, we can catch the coach to London.”

“The horses?” Alicia asked, feeling instantly protective. She loved Bluebelle and would not just let her loose!

“The horses can stay at the inn, too,” Leo explained. “We shall tell the innkeeper that we have traveled down from Wilding and pay someone at the stables to ride the horses back.”

“It's two days away,” Alicia said distantly.

“So, we pay well,” Leo suggested, and grinned.

They both laughed.

“Very well, then,” Alicia agreed. “That would be pleasant. I would give a great deal to be warm and in a bed at night.”

“Mm,” Leo agreed.

Alicia felt warmth flood through her, and she blushed. She had not meant to suggest they shared a bed, but the sound of Leo's voice, warm and throaty, conjured feelings she barely understood.

“We shall be decorous,” Leo said, as if he read her thoughts.

“Yes,” Alicia replied, flustered.

“I shall arrange a separate room for me,” Leo suggested. “We can say you are my sister, or something, and then they will make adequate arrangements for us both.” He said it lightly, though Alicia, who knew him well by now, could read the complex currents in those gold eyes and in the tremor of his voice.

Alicia shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. “I just thought... what if the duke is looking for us? Is it not dangerous for us to use the coach? What if he has someone watching the roads for us?”

“I...” Leo bit his lip a moment, thinking.

“I know!” Alicia smiled and clapped her hands.

“What?”

“We can disguise ourselves!”

Leo looked at her with wide eyes, a little taken aback, and then grinned.

“You know,” he replied, musing, “that is a good idea.”

“Good,” Alicia dimpled, pleased.

“Well, then,” Leo said, sounding cheered, “let us sashay forth and change our identities!”

Alicia giggled, eyes shining.

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