Heart's Desire by Wendy LaCapra

Author:Wendy LaCapra
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Entangled, Scandalous, Historical Fiction Short Stories; Regency Historical Romance; British Historical Literature; Historical British Fiction; Historical European Fiction; Women's Historical Fiction; Romantic Heroes Royalty & Aristocrats; Regency; Sensual; Season; Ruined reputations; on-the-shelf; the ton; Earl; rake reformed; Wages; Fake relationship; Hearts; Diamonds; Spades; Clubs; Historical romance; British literature; Historical fiction; Intense; sensual; Regency; Historical; Best friend's Little Sister
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Published: 2019-11-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Clarissa clasped the coach strap and gazed out the window. Bromton’s coach rocked gently back and forth. Just as Katherine had argued, the new coach was, indeed, well-sprung, and a few rare days of autumn sun had dried the roads.

Southford was just far enough to require a two-day trip without the use of post horses. But, so far, the first day of travel was the most pleasant carriage ride Clarissa had ever taken.

Correction.

The trip would have been the most pleasant ride she’d ever taken, if she could forget how Markham had greeted her in the hall of Darlington house with yet another kiss to her hand, while simultaneously drawing a heart onto the bottom of her wrist.

She ran her thumb over the aforementioned spot.

Markham’s gesture had been heart-meltingly romantic…and thoroughly infuriating.

Did he think one small heart could make up for two long days of silence? Two days of having no idea how he felt? No idea if he, too, had been restless and hot in the night and distracted and cold in the day?

She’d climbed into the coach perplexed and angry.

Something had happened between her and Markham. Something explosive and yet fragile. What exactly had happened and what it could possibly mean baffled her to the point of exhaustion.

Her front-facing place by the window gave her a direct view of Markham’s horse…and the tightly fitted rear of Markham’s uncloaked buckskin breeches. She took note of a particular spot, an excellent mark for the leather-looped end of a nice, stiff riding crop.

Her cheeks darkened. Her breath skipped. She never whipped her horse. She most certainly wasn’t about to land leather on Markham. She caught Julia smirking in her direction.

She lifted her chin and returned her gaze to Markham’s seat. Why shouldn’t she look? Markham was a fine horseman. He rode confidently and steady, and, unlike some, he was tuned to his horse’s needs. He actually talked to his mare, encouraging her with frequent pats and praise.

They reached the inn where she and Julia, Bromton and Katherine were going to spend the night. Markham was to take a meal with them and carry on, in order to make sure Southford was fully prepared for their arrival.

Bromton had handed off his horse after a simple pat to the neck. Markham joined them a few minutes later. He apologized for being late, too.

His mare was old, he’d explained. They wouldn’t have many more trips together. He liked to be the one to brush her down.

Her heart lodged in her throat.

Not only was Markham loyal and good humored, he was kind to his animals.

Kind in general.

All the evidence had been there. Why hadn’t she noticed?

At the end of the meal, he wished them all good night. She watched from her chamber window as he emerged from the stables.

He caught her gaze and winked before turning back onto the road.

This time his wink did not warm, but further intensified the war between reason and longing.

Julia nattered a bit about her childhood home before falling into sleep.

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