Seducing the Ice Queen by Elizabeth Drake

Author:Elizabeth Drake
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2018-10-10T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 31

T he morning dawned clear and cold, and even though Daniella bundled a thick shawl under her cloak, she still shivered. But she wasn’t willing to wait for the sun to rise higher than the horizon. She wanted to see Auburn and make sure Lucas was okay.

Pulling on her ermine lined gloves, she paced the great hall as Callen brought the coach around to the front of the manor. A smile whispered over her lips. She remembered a time when Callen couldn’t be roused before noon and here he was ready to leave with her at first light.

Behind the coach rode a group of men on horseback, each armed with a sword and a carrying crossbow. Several had long bows as well. Callen was more concerned than she’d thought, but seeing the group accompanying them loosened the knot in her stomach. She still wasn’t convinced it was a trap, but she appreciated the Duke of Westlake seeing to her safety.

The idea warmed her as much as her cloak, and memories of their stolen kisses slid through her. She was surprised to discover that even in the cold light of dawn she wanted him to kiss her again.

Burying that thought, Daniella climbed into the coach and tugged thick rugs around herself.

Callen opened the door, tucked a hot brick by her feet, and handed her a bottle filled with heated water. “You’ll feel better with these.”

“Thank you.”

He sat down beside her and rapped on the carriage roof. A moment later, the team of horses lurched into motion.

Daniella appreciated the hot water bottle and warming brick. She stared at the Duke of Westlake several moments, realizing how much he had changed. Yes, he was harder, leaner, and more handsome than he’d ever been, but he was also kinder, more considerate, and more attentive to the needs of others.

A warmth settled in her chest that had nothing to do with the water bottle, and she cursed herself. She was on her way to see her sister and sick nephew, not some lovesick girl going to her first ball.

As much as she told herself that, the feeling didn’t fade.

Callen leaned back against the squabs and closed his eyes. “Recommend you get some rest. Going to be a long ride.”

“Are you still worried about this being a trap?”

“Yes, but they’ll wait until we’re farther away from Ashton Manor.”

The thought didn’t comfort her, but Daniella tugged a rug around herself, settled back, and closed her eyes.

But sleep wouldn’t come.

Her stomach twisted as she remembered how happy Auburn had been holding her newborn son.

Turning her head, she stared out the window and fought back another surge of emotion as she prayed over and over again that Callen was right and this was all a cruel ruse. Better that than the letter be from her sister. Few knew how much Lucas meant to Auburn, how much her sister had risked to see Lucas born under the freedom of Tamryn’s skies.

Despite being well sprung, the carriage still bounced along the road, and the combination of worry, cold, and travel made Daniella’s bones ache.

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