The Hero and the Hellion by Ava Devlin

Author:Ava Devlin
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 2020-01-26T22:00:00+00:00

12

T hey hadn't spoken much, afterward.

Callum supposed it was for the best. Both of them were so physically exhausted and so emotionally raw that nothing coherent could have come from heavy conversation that morning anyhow. Still, for a brief moment, she had given him her trust again. For a single moment, she had given him herself.

That said more than any words possibly could, didn't it?

They'd ridden Boudicea together back to Somerton. Heloise had nestled herself into the curve of his chest, allowing him control of her mare for the journey. Again, that level of trust spoke volumes. The smell of her hair and the warmth of her little body was almost intoxicating enough to drive him back to the place he'd found on the floor of that burnt-out clinic. He knew better, though. He knew that in that moment, what she needed was steadiness and comfort, not passion. Not lust. Certainly not demands.

He held her close and assisted her down when they reached the manor, passing her over to the fretting arms of a maid who ushered her up to her old rooms, murmuring reassurances in her ear. He'd led her mare into the stall he knew belonged to her, and had swallowed an unexpected lump that rose in his throat when Boudicea nudged him with a nicker of recognition, as though to say, "I'm glad you're home too, stable boy."

He made his way into the manor, coming only into the foyer before realizing he had no idea where to go. He did not know where his things had been taken, nor if any of the beds in the servants' quarters were open for a weary body. He was stuck in place, with nothing to do but gaze up at the painting of nineteen-year-old Heloise Somers that sat above the entry to Somerton. The summer it had been painted was the last of the time they had spent together, and it had captured her fire most beautifully. She sat, stroking Nero as a kitten, a mischievous sparkle in her bottle-green eyes and a knowing smirk hovering near the corner of her lips. She was young and vibrant in a gown of brilliant turquoise. Even in this state, well past fatigue, he still found himself in awe of her.

"Sir?" a voice echoed from the halls. "Lieutenant?"

Callum turned, blinking against his fatigue, to see a familiar face making his way toward him.

"Albert!" He felt the ghost of a welcoming smile finding its way onto his mouth. This footman had been the epitome of masculinity to him as a lad, an impressive and debonair fellow that always left the scullery maids sighing after him. "I didn't see you earlier. You look well!"

"Thank you, Lieutenant," Albert replied with cool politeness. He shifted his weight, a distinct look of uncertainty passing over his features. After a moment's silence, he added, awkwardly, "It is good to have you safely returned."

Callum's smile slipped from his lips as quickly as it had appeared. For just a second, he had forgotten that everything was different now.

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