A Lady by Chance by Tarah Scott & Sue-Ellen Welfonder

Author:Tarah Scott & Sue-Ellen Welfonder
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Scardsdale Publishing
Published: 2017-05-13T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Two hours later, the rented coach slowed on the muddy road along the River Ness as it neared the heart of the congested town. They passed through the busiest area, the driver carefully skirting street vendors and the crowds milling in and out of shops, inns, and taverns before Jessica finally caught sight of a wrought iron gate up ahead. The carriage bounced through a big rut, then made a sudden turn. Jessica slid against Patrick’s side. He yanked her close.

“What are you doing?” She pushed from him as the carriage rocked.

“I didn’t want you to fall.”

She scowled. “The carriage only hit a bump.”

He bit back a laugh. “Forgive my impertinence.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh dear, a wife is supposed to let her husband take care of her, isn’t she?”

“Occasionally,” he said.

“I will not complain the next time you try to save me from something silly.”

“What if I try to save you from something serious?”

Her brow furrowed prettily as she considered. “I don’t know. That’s never happened.”

“What about when you fell from the tree?”

Her expression brightened. “That was rather serious, wasn’t it?”

“Perhaps just a little,” he said.

“You may always catch me when I fall from trees.”

He thought at first she was speaking as the child who had climbed a tree to save a kitten, then he glimpsed a hint of mischief in her eyes. The minx was young, but she wasn’t without womanly wiles. What sort of woman/child had he married?

“I shall endeavor to save you every time you fall from a tree,” he said. “Of course, that means you must tell me when you plan to climb trees.”

Her eyes narrowed. “That is just a way for you to always know what I am doing.”

The lass had a keen mind, but he would never have to worry about what she was thinking. She hadn’t yet learned not to speak plainly. He prayed that would never end.

“I didn’t say I would stop you from climbing the tree,” he said.

Jessica laughed. “You’re right. Thank you.” Her expression sobered. “Sir Stirling said you are a navy man, but that you will not return to the navy. Why?”

Patrick was struck with the thought that she feared he would leave, despite what Stirling had said. An unexpected mental picture flashed of her in his arms while they watched snow fall and melt against the glass of his bedchamber window. Such a fate was far more desirable than long, wet nights on a ship.

“I was wounded three years ago, my leg. I am of little use to them now,” he said.

She gave him a deprecating look. “Rubbish. You have a sharp mind and intellect is always in demand.”

Patrick blinked. “That’s very insightful.”

“It is common sense.”

Aye, nights with this woman was by far a better fate than anything he could have imagined.

Her gaze shifted to his left then his right leg. “I did notice a slight limp when you were in the woods.”

Despite knowing her remark was innocent, his male pride pricked and he gave a stiff nod.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.