Indecent by Carole Mortimer

Author:Carole Mortimer
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: 0
Published: 2018-09-04T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Adam could see Emma had been crying when he stepped up in his carriage a few minutes later, the tracks of those tears visible on the pallor of her cheeks in the glow of the lamp inside the carriage. The pupils of her eyes were also thoroughly blown, so that only a small ring of green remained about the edge. She was also shaking uncontrollably.

Understandably; unlike Adam, who had served in the army for five years, he very much doubted Emma had ever before been subjected to deliberate physical injury of any kind.

“Drive on,” he instructed the groom as he threw Emma’s cloak onto the other seat before sitting next to her.

The carriage moved forward as Adam lifted Emma across that seat and onto his thighs before drawing her into the comfort of his chest. His arms tightened as she began to cry in earnest.

Adam allowed her to cry, knowing the tears would be cathartic to the shock of having been so willfully attacked.

As well as making his own and Emma’s excuses to Lord Harris, Adam had sought out his brother and told him in no uncertain terms to “get control of his bitch or he would do it for him”. Alexander had been as visibly shocked as Adam by Lady Millbrook’s unwarranted attack on Emma.

Emma felt like a soggy, embarrassed mess by the time her tears began to abate long minutes later; no doubt her eyes and cheeks were an unattractive red.

She also felt very small, safe, and protected in Adam’s muscular arms.

“Here.” A white handkerchief appeared in front of her.

Emma’s fingers shook slightly as she took possession of the silk square. Not only must she look a mess but as she sat up she realized Hawkwood’s shirt front and waistcoat were also distinctly damp. Something she attempted to rectify once she had wiped the residue of tears from her cheeks.

“Leave it,” Adam rasped his impatience with her efforts.

Emma looked at him shyly from beneath her lashes. “I am most terribly sorry for having cried all over you in that unladylike fashion.” She chewed worriedly on her bottom lip, her gaze once again lowered so he could not see her eyes.

Adam snorted. “I believe we might agree the only unladylike person present this evening was the Millbrook bitch,” he bit out, still inwardly seething with anger toward the other woman. How dare she lay hands on and physically hurt Emma, let alone cause her this added emotional suffering?

“Possibly,” Emma allowed shakily. “She certainly has an unattractive temper.”

Adam chuckled softly. “Whereas you own temper is one of your most attractive features.”

Emma’s back stiffened and she would have moved from sitting on his thighs if his arms had not tightened about her to keep her firmly in place. “I have never lost my temper with anyone before in the way I do constantly with you,” she defended.

“Or I with you,” Adam mused. “I wonder why that is?”

“You are an infuriating gentleman?” she came back pertly.

He gave another chuckle. “What is my own excuse in regard to you?”

She winced.

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