Surrender to a Wicked Spy: A Rousing Regency Spy Romance by Celeste Bradley

Author:Celeste Bradley [Bradley, Celeste]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Celeste Bradley
Published: 2023-05-20T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

T

HE NEXT MORNING, THE journey to Kirkall Hall began. Olivia had another chance to witness the efficiency of the Greenleigh staff as they loaded the trunks and barrels and cases on three carriages and one wagon.

One carriage was for her and Dane, a fact that pleased Olivia no end. The upper staff rode in the second large carriage and the understaff in the third. Others of the household had left the day before in wagons full of supplies.

Sumner and Petty rode with Mrs. Huff, Kinsworth, and Proffit—a fact that pleased Petty no end. She was nigh unto driving Olivia mad with her chattering on about "Sumner this" and "Sumner that."

Not that Olivia blamed the girl. She knew just what it was like to have a man completely occupy one’s mind. And other parts.

Lord Marcus proposed to ride his horse most of the way but allowed that he might ride in the carriage at times. Olivia rather tersely inquired if he intended them to adopt him as well.

He’d bowed and smiled. “I could do worse, my lady.”

Still, it was all Olivia could do to keep from dancing with impatience. The only traveling she had ever done was to journey from Yorkshire to London a month ago, and that had been under the pall of losing Walter. She scarcely remembered anything but her mother’s constant complaints and the way the springs of their ancient carriage seemed to drive spikes up her spine by the end of the first hour.

Not so with Dane’s—and hers!—luxurious vehicle. It was large enough to seat six, or three people and Dane. The motion was so smooth that she could even nap on one wide seat if she liked.

Mrs. Huff loaded in an impressive hamper for them. Then a footman—bother, would she ever learn all their names?—helped Olivia in before Dane. She hand-carried her reticule, which contained her diary, and had Sumner bring the carved case of the rods.

“My cosmetics,” she’d blithely explained to Sumner, who only nodded indifferently.

In moments, everyone was loaded in and the procession began to roll. Olivia hopped from one side of the carriage to the other, eagerly watching the city roll by.

Dane laughed. “You’ve been in London for weeks. Why so interested now?”

She tilted her head at him. “Because now I’m leaving London, and I won’t be back until next spring. When you leave someplace, you want to take your last memories of it with you, don’t you?”

Dane only laughed and opened his news sheet. “For me, London is rather like an old shoe, I’m afraid. Comfortable, but accustomed.”

“Laugh if you like,” she replied primly. “I will never become blasé about new adventures.”

Dane gazed at her fondly for a long moment. “That I believe.”

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