Light to Valhalla by Melissa Lynne Blue

Author:Melissa Lynne Blue [Blue, Melissa Lynne]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Romance
Amazon: B009D22VEO
Publisher: Melissa Blue
Published: 2012-09-17T00:00:00+00:00

Nine

The red and gold seal emblazoned upon the door of the dazzling carriage undoubtedly belonged to the house of Coverstone. Alex’s soaring heart plummeted. He could think of nothing more detrimental to the tenuous ground gained in his marriage than the presence of his mother. Roses withered as she walked past. He’d swear to it. “She must have left Coverstone House the minute the dispatch rider arrived.”

Soft slender fingers twined through his. Alex glanced down at Charley, warmed by her touch. Disconcerting that… the warmth… he wasn’t used to it, and it brought about emotions he’d not dealt with in a very long time.

“I don’t want to see her,” Charley whispered. “Is there somewhere we can go?”

Alex wanted nothing more than time alone with his wife. “I have an idea.” He grasped her hand more tightly and tugged her toward the loft ladder. “Does your father still maintain a hunting cottage at the western edge of the property?”

Charley shrugged, an adorably bewildered expression adoring her face. “As far as I know he does.”

“Good. Let’s go there for a while.” Alex released her, and descended the graying ladder. He waited for Charley to follow suit, threw a harried glance over his shoulder, slipped an arm about her waist and dragged her bodily toward the barn’s back entrance. “We can avoid Mother for a few hours.”

“Won’t everyone worry if we can’t be found? Especially after what happened the other day?”

Alex stopped a few feet from the door and glanced down. Excitement sparkled in her eyes, rekindling a bit of their old friendship. “Groom!” He hailed a passing stable boy.

“Yes, milord?” The young man strode forward, bowing his head respectfully.

“Tell anyone who asks after Lady Coverstone and I that we’ve gone for a ride into town.” He grasped the lad’s hand and pressed a few coins into his hand.

Eyes wide, the groom glanced at the gold pieces in his palm and nodded furtively. “Certainly, milord.”

“Good man. Now let’s get out of here.”

“You need a coat,” Charley protested. She darted into a tack room and emerged with a battered wool coat. “Here. Take this.”

“Charley, I’ll be fine.”

“Precisely.” She flashed a benign smile and held out the coat. “Once you’re wearing this coat.”

“Oh, very well.” He took the shoddy garment and slung it over his shoulders. Half the buttons were missing but the jacket was warm. Alex grasped his wife’s arm and half drug her through the back doors.

Untouched snow crunched beneath their feet, stretching on in a blanket of perfection as far as the eye could see. Sunlight glanced off the smooth surface as though a million sparkling diamonds covered the earth, sparkling with blinding brilliance. Each breath pulled cool, invigorating air into his lungs and for the first time in a long time Alex felt glad. Glad to have found a moment’s peace. Glad to be sharing this beautiful moment with Charley, his wife…his friend.

Beside him Charley giggled. He glanced down, noting the pink brilliance of her wind kissed cheeks. “Why couldn’t I have thought of this earlier,” she murmured, with a soft sigh.

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