Once and Forever by Constance O’Day-Flannery

Author:Constance O’Day-Flannery
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Open Road Media
Published: 1999-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

The trees created a canopy of green overhead as she rode next to him. Maggie again thought she had entered a seductive fantasy. She glanced to her side to see him sitting tall, his chin up, his gaze panning around the dense forest. She was sure he was making a concerted effort to avert looking at her. Maybe he was on the alert for more marauding bandits. What was that expression again?

Oh yeah… villainous hedge-borne miscreants. The woods were full of them.

Deep down she really was glad he had agreed to accompany her back out here. The countess could have sent any one of her servants to help. Dear Elthea.

Her mind was filled with images as she held the reins in her hands and put more distance between herself and Greville Manor. It had been difficult to say good-bye to the woman, yet each knew it had to be done. Elthea had been so kind to her. She had given her a small bag of coins to help her on her journey, and Maggie didn’t know how to refuse. Both of them had tears in their eyes, and Maggie knew no matter what happened to her now, she would never forget Countess Elthea, one of the wisest women she had ever encountered. How she would love Aunt Edithe to meet Elthea. The two of them would get along famously. They were so alike.

“’Tis most curious to be on this road once more.”

Maggie knew exactly what he meant and nodded. “Yes,” she murmured, not trusting her voice to say more. The last time they had been here, it had been a much different situation. They had each thought the other mad. Soon, only one of them would be sure of their sanity. She had to find that maze, even the village, a highway, a modern home… anything!

A part of her was wondering if she would see Nick again, once she returned to her aunt’s home. Would he drop his role-playing and seek her out? How she would love to show up at Greville Manor in Edithe’s cherry red Jaguar. In spite of her mood, she chuckled as she imagined everyone’s shock.

“Thou art recalling the fool, backward upon his steed?” he asked, then shook his head with honest laughter. “What a spectacle, no?”

Maggie grinned as she glanced at him. “I guess it was. I apologize for the way I acted that day. Nothing made sense to me.” Geez, he looked so handsome, with that green cape flowing from his shoulders and his blond hair catching the dappled sunlight.

“And does it now?” he asked with a smile, as his horse neared hers and his leg lightly brushed against her skirt.

Maggie felt his brief touch and inhaled sharply at the sensations racing through her body. She had never felt this strong of an attraction in her life! How could she just walk away from him?

“Mistress… . ?”

His voice brought her out of the confusion. “Please, Nick. Call me Maggie,” she answered, gripping the reins tighter.

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