Rogues Rush In by Tessa Dare & Christi Caldwell

Author:Tessa Dare & Christi Caldwell [Dare, Tessa & Caldwell, Christi]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: fiction
Publisher: Christi Caldwell
Published: 2018-05-13T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Elizabeth had said yes.

Given the fact she’d gone out of her way to avoid him for nearly ten years, he’d anticipated it would be a good deal more difficult to attain her capitulation.

At best, he thought she’d give a polite no and send him on his way.

At worst, he’d foreseen himself begging her to return.

Copernicus whinnied and danced about on three legs.

“Easy,” he murmured, stroking his withers. “Forgive me. I was distracted.”

The chestnut stallion tossed his head, snorting loudly.

“I know,” Crispin mumbled. “You deserve my full attention. You have it now.”

Even as he sank back to his haunches to resume his inspection of the abrasion on Copernicus’ right hoof, he sensed the lie as much as the loyal horse who drew his injured hoof protectively closer.

Crispin had done his best to forget Elizabeth. Through the initial terror of imagining her off on her own, logic had prevailed. There had never been anyone more resourceful or capable than Elizabeth Brightly. What she lacked in brawn and height, she far surpassed in wits and cleverness. No, the same girl who’d managed to knock out, with nothing more than a pebble aimed at the bastard’s temple, the village bully who’d been mocking the vicar’s simple daughter, would always do just fine on her own. Those assurances hadn’t erased his fear, but they had prevented him from spiraling into madness because of the perils she’d face as a woman on her own.

Crispin stared blankly at Copernicus’ wound. It had been more than just fear that had gripped him in those days, it had been heartache at her betrayal. They’d quickly plotted and planned a future together, friends who’d become companionable spouses.

Bitterness twisted at his lips. It hadn’t taken her but a handful of days to come to regret her decision.

Copernicus nudged at the top of Crispin’s head.

“You’re right. I’m being remiss.” He glanced up at the massive creature. “Again.”

Copernicus whinnied in equine agreement.

Yanking the crisp white kerchief from inside his jacket, he snapped the fabric open. He proceeded to carefully clean the gravel and dirt from around the wound, and then he applied the fabric to the lightly bleeding injury.

A circle of crimson immediately stained the scrap, and Copernicus rumbled through his nostrils and danced away from him.

“Easy,” he murmured in calm tones. “I have to stop the bleeding.”

Copernicus immediately stilled.

In quick order, Crispin tugged free his cravat and set to work making a makeshift bandage, pausing in midwrap.

He sensed her presence before he heard or saw her. It was an intrinsic sense of knowing when Elizabeth was close that had always been there.

Crispin finished his task and stood.

The half-moon hanging in the night sky cast a soft circle of light about Elizabeth, with her same loose, too-big spectacles and drab skirts.

When, as a duchess, she should be wearing the softest, finest fabrics. Even as that had never been her way, she deserved to be draped in them. Anything but the coarse, dreary articles that made up her new wardrobe.

Uninvited, she came over.

Copernicus’ ear pricked forward, and he burrowed his broad snout against her chest.

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