An Unintended Journey by Catherine Gayle

Author:Catherine Gayle
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Night Shift Publishing
Published: 2011-12-10T08:00:00+00:00

4

Mother came into Abby’s chamber from the sitting room of their suite at the inn, brushing her hands over her skirts, as though her apron were still there and the keys were still knotted about her waist. “Father has invited Mr. Cavendish to dine with us. The inn keeper will send up our meal shortly, and I expect the men will be here before our meal arrives.”

Abby dried her hands and face on the towel lying on the bureau before her. They’d only been at the inn long enough for a few of their belongings to be taken into their rooms. She sighed and resigned herself to the fact that she’d likely not have a moment to herself for quite some time. After all, there was no telling what would happen once they arrived at Danby Castle.

Her stomach leapt to life at the thought of seeing him again, whether in anticipation or agitation, she couldn’t determine.

Sure enough, within moments the clomping steps and rumbling voices of her brothers and Wesley came into the suite behind her while she was still refreshing herself. She hadn’t even had time to change into a clean gown after their day stuck in the carriage. Not that it really mattered. Black bombazine was black bombazine was black bombazine.

Saying a quick prayer for courage and sanity, she took a breath and then went into the sitting room. Robert and Thomas had already seated themselves next to each other on one side of the table, with Mother at the foot. There was nowhere for Abby to sit but directly next to Wesley. She shot a we’ll-discuss-this-later look at her brothers and then took a seat beside their guest.

He leapt to his feet as she did. “My apologies, Miss Goddard. I didn’t realize you’d come in.”

Miss Goddard. So formal. But then, they were amongst her family. She supposed they ought to observe the formalities. “Not at all, sir. Please, have a seat.” Particularly since her brothers hadn’t arisen and were looking at him like he was half-cracked for treating her thus.

Father joined them moments later, and then the innkeeper and some serving girls brought in their meal, and they were all taken up with eating barley soup and roast chicken and parsnips after a long day’s travel.

Throughout the meal, though, Abby was entirely too aware of the man seated on her left. The heat of his leg warmed her, though they did not touch. The elegant manner in which he ate drew her notice, and she fought to keep anyone from recognizing how much attention she paid him—least of all him. The angry scar on the side of his face pulled taut with each bite he took, calling to her so that she had to fight her nature.

She couldn’t touch him. She daren’t take such a risk.

As the platters of food emptied and their stomachs filled, talk began to fill the silence. Abby ignored much of it, trying to maintain her composure as best she could. It wouldn’t do to break down into tears in front of Wesley, despite her mourning.

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