The Duke's Accidental Elopement by Louise Allen

Author:Louise Allen
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: 0
Published: 2019-01-31T16:00:00+00:00

Sophie awoke to the dawn light chilled, stiff and with a strange sensation of a breeze on her nape. Then she realised that the heavy weight on her waist was Hal’s arm thrown across her protectively and it was his warm breath on her neck that she could feel. She lay there for a few precious moments, enjoying the feel of his long body curved against hers, then she slid carefully from his embrace and tiptoed round the bend in the river to wash, her heart an ache in her chest.

When the two tired horses finally clattered across the cobbles under Bootham Bar, Sophie thought she had never been so glad to see anything in her life as the great mass of the Minster rising majestically before them.

The grey mare’s head was down and she was beginning to peck again as her bruised hoof met the hard surface of the Minster Yard. Sophie thought she must have gone beyond being tired, hungry and thirsty about ten miles back when Hal had reined in the horses and decided they must walk them the rest of the way.

He was riding ahead of her as they circled the Minster and she saw how dusty his coat was and how stiffly he stretched in the saddle to ease his shoulders. The neat houses of the clerics of the cathedral clustered closer, each with its carefully tended front garden facing onto the scythed grass of the lawns. There was little sign of activity, but as they passed the great doors Sophie could hear the swelling notes of the organ and voices raised in a hymn.

Hal twisted in the saddle. ‘Evensong. I had not realised it was so late.’

Sophie smiled back wryly. ‘I had no idea it was that early.’

‘I know how tired you must be, but we are nearly at my brother’s house now. See, the one with the black front door.’

Hal swung down from the saddle and came to help her dismount, which was fortunate because once out of the saddle her legs gave way and she had to clutch at his arms. ‘Poor Sophie,’ he said gently. ‘Can you walk, or shall I carry you?’

For one long moment the thought of being held close in Hal’s arms was irresistible, then common sense reasserted itself. ‘And what would your sister-in-law say if you appeared on her doorstep carrying a stable lad?’

His eyes twinkled, but he let go of her, steadying her against the horse until he was sure her legs would carry her. ‘The opportunity to scandalise Emma is tempting, but poor John would be mortified. Come along.’

He raised the brass door knocker in the shape of a dolphin and let it fall against the striker plate and after a moment the door swung open to reveal a bland-faced upper servant who broke into a smile as soon as he saw who was on the threshold. ‘Your Grace! This is a pleasure we had not looked for.’ He glanced past Hal’s shoulder and saw the horses standing at the gate.

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