Road to Gretna Green by Lucinda Brant & Julie Daines & Heather B. Moore

Author:Lucinda Brant & Julie Daines & Heather B. Moore
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Regency romance, Scottish Historical Romance, Clean & Wholesome Romance, Romantic Comedy, Historical romance
Publisher: Mirror Press, LLC
Published: 2018-08-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Richard pulled the carriage blanket higher over Eliza’s lap. She had told him thrice now that she never slept, but for the past two days she’d spent most of the time in the carriage asleep, her head leaning against his shoulder.

He wasn’t complaining. Her rose-and-lavender scent curled around him, her lips slightly parted as she slept. If she truly did not sleep well at night, it was good that she could get some rest in the carriage. He was unsure if it was a compliment that she was comfortable enough with him to sleep, or if he was too boring to keep her awake.

They neared the village of Ingleton. A turn from here would take them to Windley Mills in a quarter hour’s time.

“Miss Barnes,” he said, giving her a gentle nudge.

Her head came up.

“We are almost there.”

A look of panic flashed in her eyes.

“There is nothing to worry about. No matter what happens, it will be fine.” He’d been working on removing Lucy from this place for the past seven years. If it didn’t work, he would be no worse off than he was now; but if it did, he would get his sister out of the place she hated.

“Lucy,” Eliza said, as if she were going over the things he’d told her in her head. “Ten years old. Brown hair. Butterflies and birds.”

She was putting in a tremendous amount of effort for a girl she’d never even met before. Eliza had really taken Lucy’s plight to heart. It only added to her attractiveness.

The carriage came to a stop in front of a stone house spread out wide and low, just like his aunt. Even the lawns were manicured to look stern. His aunt had never married. Richard had hoped her childlessness would have created a loving bond between her and Lucy, but it did not work out that way.

Richard exited the carriage and lent his hand to Eliza. She stepped out the same moment the door to Windley Mills opened and Lucy came running out.

“Richard!” The girl ran straight to him, leaping at the last moment into his open arms. He caught her and squeezed her tight. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

Richard winked at Eliza as he said, “It was a spontaneous decision.” He set Lucy down. “I wanted you to meet Miss Barnes.”

Eliza gave Lucy a lovely curtsy, and Lucy did the same. “Hello,” Eliza said.

Lucy took in Eliza’s stunning eyes, more blue now against the color of her pelisse, and smiled. “Hello.”

Richard’s aunt came out of the house next. “Aunt Beatrice,” he said.

The woman marched over, her heavy legs scuffing loudly on the graveled drive. “Richard. What brings you here with no warning?”

“I’m here for Lucy.” No sense beating around the bush. The less time they had to spend here the better.

Aunt Beatrice looked from Richard to Eliza and then back to Richard again. Her face lost a few shades of color. She took Lucy by the wrist and pulled her close. Lucy flinched at the pain, and Richard wanted to grab the child and run.

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