Seeking Rachel by Josie Riviera

Author:Josie Riviera [Riviera, Josie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-01-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

For the next three days, Rachel carefully kept her attention away from anything that reminded her of Nash Browning. The outing to the milliner had been pleasant, a bit too pleasant, if there was such a thing.

When she and Jemimi had emerged from the shop, Rachel’s arms had been laden with two boxes—one containing Charlotte’s hat, the other an adorable new cap for Jemimi. The shop owner had wrapped both boxes in paper and tied them with a string.

“I’ll take those,” Nash offered, and loaded the boxes into his carriage. He then gestured to an inn across the road. “Remember our excursion included lunch, ladies?”

He’d designed their outing to perfection, and Rachel and Jemimi heartily agreed.

As they strolled, he grimaced as they negotiated several uneven cobblestones. Once, he stumbled.

“Are you all right?” Rachel asked.

“Certainly.” His smile faded for a second before flickering back in place. “An old war injury. A bullet meant for my heart grazed my knee.”

His explanation was dismissive, so she pressed him. “What happened?”

“Exactly what I said.”

“Were you treated by a physician?”

“At sea? I suppose one of the seamen was a physician.”

“You suppose?”

His smile disarmed her. “Let’s just say I was choking for air and muddy and soaked to the skin. But I am alive.”

His words trivialized his injury, but then he exaggerated it by staggering slightly, leaning on her for support.

As they entered the inn, Rachel took in the exposed ceiling beams as her leather half-boots clicked along the flagstone floor. The smell of strong ale mixed with the aromas of oysters and succulent roasted chicken.

The proprietor greeted the trio and called for his daughter, Prudence, to show them to the inn’s private dining area. They passed a log fire crackling in the grate, chasing away the chill of an English spring day.

Prudence rearranged plates and linens and took their orders, whilst gazing admiringly at Nash. “If you desire anything at all, sir, I’m available.” The full-figured woman touched Nash’s arm before strutting away.

Her eyebrows drawing together with annoyance, Rachel glared at her.

A glint of a smile formed on Nash’s lips. “She’s well-versed about the food offerings,” he said.

Prudence was well-versed in a lot more than food, Rachel thought.

The startling jolt of possessiveness astonished her. Certainly, she held no feelings for him. Certainly, she wasn’t jealous. Why, she scarcely knew the man.

When their meals were served, Rachel sliced cold meat, and a baked apple for Jemimi. “So you were an officer in the Royal Navy, Mr. Browning?” she asked.

“Nash, remember?” He quirked an eyebrow. “And I volunteered to enlist in the navy when I was twelve. ’Twas an apprenticeship, and I obeyed a captain.”

“My father did the same, and his parents paid for his room and board. He obtained a place on the ship because they were friends with a naval officer.”

“That’s exactly how it works,” Nash concurred.

“Unlike you, my father never climbed the ranks. He remained a midshipman throughout his service. He’d scrawled a note to an officer of influence to come to his aid, but no one did.

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