The Deadliest Sin by Caroline Richards

Author:Caroline Richards [Richards, Caroline]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction
ISBN: 9780758242754
Publisher: Brava
Published: 2010-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

The coachman pushed the horses hard, changing horses three times during the trip to Montfort. Mercifully, there was no opportunity for conversation on the desperate ride north, with Julia inside the carriage and Strathmore galloping alongside.

A few miles from Montfort, they stopped suddenly among tall old pines on an isolated rural road. As the carriage came to a rest, Julia leaned out the window to see Strathmore on his mount.

Scanning the landscape in both directions, Julia saw nothing but a ribbon of dusty road. She resisted the urge to hit the side of the carriage to push them onward in their journey. The silhouette of Strathmore with his windswept black hair and powerful frame twisted her stomach in knots. For the first time she recognized that hatred and passion could exist simultaneously.

Impatience and desperation made her brave. “There is no need to stop, Strathmore.” She drew a deep, steadying breath, placing her hand on the coach’s door handle.

Strathmore urged the horse toward her, reaching her side.

“We won’t be here long, I trust. We are a few miles from the village of Hawthorne.” Julia’s cold voice carried in the silence.

The image of Montfort was framed in her mind’s eye. The local stone of its walls glowed golden in the setting sun of her memory, its windows glittering like jewels set in baronial splendor. She wanted to be home, to see Meredith, with an ache that threatened to shatter her fragile sense of control.

And then she wanted to run from Montfort toward Rowena—to rescue her sister before it was too late.

It wasn’t too late. It couldn’t be. They had three days. How bitterly she regretted her outrageous desire to make love with Strathmore, made all the more shameful in the crystalline clarity of that desperate morning. Every decision she had made since leaving Montfort had left her mired in disaster, the shame of her intemperance almost too much to bear. Why Strathmore had not had the honesty to tell her, to warn her of the impending tragedy—. Her mind shut down, anger and worry crowding out further thought.

Strathmore’s mount snorted, its breath marking the cool morning air. “When we get to Montfort, you will remain behind with your aunt. If you truly wish to help your sister, you will try to convince Meredith to tell us everything she knows.” Strathmore’s voice was clear and distinct in the utter silence, only the metallic jingle of his spurs counterpoint to his stark request.

“You may leave it to me,” she said, rage and disgust pervading her tone. “If Faron so much as touches Rowena…” Her mind was on the fearful plight of her younger sister and the frustration of a pursuit begun too late. She would do anything, anything to ensure her sister’s safety, including never leaving Strathmore’s side. “I have even less reason to trust you now. And yet I must trust you with my sister’s life. The irony is staggering.” And all but unbearable.

His eyes darkened to gray smoke.

“How easily you deceive all who put their trust in you, Strathmore,” she continued, unable to hold back.

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