The Earl Who Knew Too Much by Monica La Porta

Author:Monica La Porta [La Porta, Monica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Monica La Porta

Chapter 26

Delphine heard Lord Hawkshead talking to someone outside before he burst into the bedroom.

“Change.” He pressed a bundle into her hands and turned. “There wasn’t time to fetch you a pair of shoes.” Facing away from her, he said, “Hurry.”

Delphine looked at the heap of clothes for a full heartbeat before her brain started working again, and she did as ordered. He had brought a pair of pantaloons she wore underneath her dress that she bunched up to her waist before pulling on a lawn shirt and coat. Her skirt created a bulge around her midsection, but the outercoat he had provided was large enough to close over it.

“Are you done?” His impatient tone made her falter, but she answered that she was decent, and he turned. His expression darkened “You could never pass for a man.”

“Thank you…?”

“We need to do something for your hair.” With his mouth flattened into a harsh line, he let out a frustrated breath. He removed his hat and pushed it onto her head. “Tuck it underneath,” he said after reaching for her hair and lowering his hand before making contact.

She longed for his touch but silently worked on her tresses, making sure the hat covered as much as possible. A moment later, he opened the door and motioned for her to follow him.

Nobody was outside, and she imagined he had sent the footman away earlier. They took the servants’ stairs and walked down to the ground floor, then fled through one of the back entrances.

Outside, the night was cold. Flurries of snow painted the landscape with a magical brush. Delphine hurried after the earl, who marched towards the stables, parting the snowed path with his powerful stride.

Before they reached the building, he stopped her and pointed at the nearby tree. “Wait there.”

She shuffled in her dainty shoes that were soaked through and wished he had brought also footwear for her. Hiding behind a tree, she raised the lapels of the large outercoat and covered her nose that was red and dripping.

Scant minutes later, she saw a black stallion galloping out of the stables. Lord Hawkshead looked magnificent on top of the beautiful horse. Without dismounting, he leaned down and hoisted her up onto the sleek rump. In a repeat of their previous ride, he pulled her in front of him and pressed his large hand over her stomach to keep her in place when he steered the horse forward.

Soon, they had left Caister House behind, galloping at full speed across the eerily silent countryside. Soft snow battered them, but his warmth spread between them, making her drowsy. She couldn’t remember when she had slept last, but she was tired. Bone-deep fatigue encompassed all her senses, making her mind slow.

“Don’t fall asleep.” His rough command caressed her ear, making her gasp. “You must remain awake.”

She understood his strained request for what it was. He feared that sense of intimacy that seemed to form every time they were together. Even now, when fear should have been first and foremost her emotion, she felt so much more.

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