Bargaining With a Rogue, page 7
She laughed. “You do? Why is that?”
“I don’t know.”
Her eyes narrowed as she studied his face. He rather enjoyed the way her gaze skimmed slowly over his eyes, nose, and mouth, as though she took pleasure in looking upon him.
“Perhaps it’s because you know you can be yourself around me?” she inquired.
He shrugged. “I believe you are correct.”
“Good. Because I want you to always feel that way. I want you to be able to express your thoughts any time you’d like.”
“I thank you, Lady Frances. I shall do that.”
After a few more steps in silence, she chuckled. “Nash, if you haven’t realized by now, that was an open invitation to talk to me.”
“Now?” He looked at her with wide eyes. “Out here where everyone could overhear?”
She glanced around him before locking her gaze on him. “I don’t see many people, Nash. My maid, Johnson, can’t even hear our conversation.”
“True.”
The scent of roses lifted with the slight breeze, pulling his attention off to the right. He recalled her telling him how much she loved roses. Without asking, he steered them off the path and toward the several rose bushes which was up the slight knoll.
“Nash, do you mind if I ask you something personal?”
“I suppose that would be fine. How else are we to get to know each other better before we are wed?”
With her free hand, she lifted her dress to her ankles as they slowly climbed the hill. She didn’t act as though she was put out for making her walk a little farther on their stroll. He smiled. Frances was certainly different from the other women he’d seduced. Of course, he’d known that a week ago when she had presented him with the most improper—and intriguing—offer.
“What is your question?” he wondered.
They reached the rose bushes and she leaned forward, closing her eyes as she inhaled. Strange to think how pleasing it was just watching her enjoy something as small as smelling roses.
“I was wondering,” she straightened, “if you had met with Lady Livingston after the ball last evening.” She turned and met his stare full-on. “I was curious to what kind of offer she presented you.”
Surprise shook through him. It wasn’t that Frances had spoken something shocking as much as it was that he had actually forgotten about Candace. He snorted a laugh. “Lady Livingston? That is what you’re curious about?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“Well, to be completely honest with you, I had forgotten to meet her after the ball. I haven’t talked to her since before we met in the glade.”
She tilted her head. “Indeed?”
He nodded. “Yes. I have no clue what she would have offered me.”
Frances’ smile stretched wider. “Oh, I’m sure you had a suspicion as to what it might be.”
He laughed out loud, not caring who heard him. It was quite refreshing being with a woman who spoke her mind, even as improper as the subject matter might be. “Yes, I suspected what she wanted from me.”
Frances hooked her hand around his arm again and started them toward another rose bush instead of back to the path. He didn’t mind at all.
“I’ve heard gossip about Lady Livingston over the years, and the stories I’ve heard are not good.” She peeked up at him as her thick eyelashes fluttered. “Can I ask if you were one of her lovers?”
Shock rooted his feet to the ground as he turned to face her. “Lady Frances, I’m appalled.”
Her eyes widened. “You are? Why, exactly? Because I know about you and Lady Livingston...or that I have the courage to ask about it?”
Sighing heavily, he shook his head. There was one thing for certain...when they married, she would definitely keep him on his toes.
“I’m shocked that you are asking about my relationship with another woman.”
Frances gave him a teasing grin. “Try to compose yourself, Nash. I’ve always been a most curious woman.”
“Indeed, you have.” He chuckled.
“So? Are you going to tell me?”
He took a quick glance around them, making sure that their conversation wouldn’t be overheard, before he rested his focus on her again. “There’s really nothing to tell. We were intimate for a few months, but both of us agreed to move on. She wasn’t looking for a husband, and I for sure wasn’t looking for a wife.”
Slowly, Frances’ grin drooped. “Yes, I suppose that would be a good enough reason to end the relationship.”
She stepped away from him toward the rose bush that held the loveliest yellow petals. Bending, she closed her eyes once more as she placed her nose above one of the flowers.
He moved closer to her. “And what about you?” Call him morbid, but he needed to know why she loved a man who only wanted her for money.
“What about me?” She bent to sniff another flower.
“Will you tell me about your fiancé?”
Frances snapped to an upright position, her gaze landed on him. “Adam?”
He shrugged. “Unless you had more than one fiancé.”
The muscles in her face relaxed, and she didn’t appear to be as frigid. For some reason, the mention of her soldier sent her in an emotional dither. Perhaps she had fully given her heart to him and didn’t have anything left to offer another man, just as she’d mentioned to him before.
“What do you want to know?” she asked in a tight voice.
“Oh, I don’t know.” He stepped slowly around the bush. “How did you meet? How long did you know him before he...um, went off to fight one of Napoleon’s battles?”
She blew out a breath of air between her lips and her shoulders sagged. “Lord Haddington and I met at a ball, similar to the one we attended last evening.”
A twinkle appeared in her huge brown eyes as the lines in her face softened. “I had just barely come out and was overwhelmed with all the attention gentlemen were giving me. But Adam was different. He wasn’t anything like the other over-eager suitors. He calmly watched me from afar. I had been introduced to him, but not once did he ask me to dance.”
“And his actions captured your attention?” Nash asked, shaking his head. He hated to mention it to her, but Nash had taught Adam that trick with women.
“Yes. I noticed his eyes following me everywhere. He smiled at me, but he didn’t make any other gestures toward me.” She paused as her smile grew. “It wasn’t until the next day, while I was being escorted to the park that he decided to actually talk to me.” She sighed. “I had actually forgotten about the gentleman I was with and had given Adam my full attention.”
Nash chuckled. As he knew, it worked like a charm. “I’m sure your suitor’s ego was crushed.”
“Yes, I’m sure it was.” She stepped to the next rose bush that held purple flowers. “I don’t recall what it was that attracted me to him so quickly, but I remember thinking how much we had in common. He enjoyed painting and taking leisurely walks in the park. He also enjoyed riding his horse through the countryside. He had one sister, and I have one brother. I don’t know,” she shrugged, “I felt that fate had brought us together.”
Nash wasn’t sure why there was an uncomfortable tightening in his chest, but he for certain didn’t like seeing excitement light her brown eyes, making them dance. She’d never looked this way when they talked to each other, and for some reason it hurt more than he was prepared for.
He was also upset to learn that Adam had used one of the tricks on Frances that Nash had taught his friend on how to woo a lady. Nash had told his friend to tell the ladies that their interests were the same as the women. Nash knew firsthand that Adam didn’t like to paint. Nash had never known Adam to enjoy walks in the park, either.
“Yes, it sounds like it was fate that brought you two together,” he quickly answered.
“He courted me for one month before asking my father for my hand in marriage. My father was reluctant, and naturally so, since Adam was the second son of a baron. My parents wanted me to be happy, which was why they agreed that I could marry him, but deep down inside, my parents worried that he wasn’t the man I was meant to be with for the rest of my life.” She took a deep breath and slowly released it. “I don’t know if it was something my father said to Adam, but soon after he’d asked for my hand, was when he joined the military to fight Napoleon. Two months later, I received a missive from his sister stating that he was missing in action. His garrison had been in a battle with Napoleon, and several men died. It took several more weeks before he was pronounced dead.”
Her voice choked and the light disappeared from her face. Nash moved closer as he slipped an arm around her waist. “I’m sorry he died.”
She nodded as she touched the tip of her finger to the corner of her moist eye. She peered away from him. “Yes, I’m sorry as well.”
“Did you attend his funeral?”
“No.” A tear trickled from her eye and she quickly wiped it away. “His family lived in France at the time, and I was too distraught to travel.”
“Forgive me for making you dredge up bad memories.” He picked a flower from off the bush and presented it to her. “I know this flower won’t replace him, but I’m hoping it will bring some light into your heart.”
When she smiled, her lips trembled. “I thank you, Nash. You are very kind.”
“Kind, you say? Already on our outing, I’ve arrived late, made you upset, and now I’ve made you cry.” He chuckled softly. “I’m sure you are anxiously looking forward to our outing tomorrow.”
A laugh bubbled up from her throat. His heart softened. At least he’d made her smile, even if her eyes hadn’t brightened because of it.
He offered his elbow again. “Shall we return to our buggy?”
“Yes, I suppose we should.”
They walked in silence, but at least she acted as though she was captivated by the rose he’d given her. As he helped her into the buggy, the horse became skittish. “Calm down, boy,” Nash soothed as he assisted the maid into the back, and then helped Frances. As soon as he sat and pulled on the reins, the horse bucked, jolting the vehicle.
“Nash, what’s wrong with the animal?” Frances asked in a high voice.
“I’m not sure. Hold tightly to my arm.”
He tried cooing the animal, but the more the animal moved, the more irritated it became. Within seconds, the horse bolted. Both Nash and Frances jerked back against the seat. The reins slipped from his hands and dropped to the floor. Reaching down, he tried to grasp onto them, but couldn’t. Frances screamed and clung to his arm.
Panic consumed him. He not only had to keep the horse from trampling people in the park, but he had to make sure Frances didn’t fall out of the buggy in the process.
He wasn’t looking forward to the outcome.
SIX
Frances screamed again. Fear had frozen her limbs, but thankfully, she had enough strength to hang onto Nash. He struggled with keeping her in her seat and trying to reach for the reins that had fallen to their feet. With each step of the out-of-control animal, the reins slipped farther away.
Couples walking through the park screamed and scattered in every direction. Frances wanted to yell at someone to help them. Couldn’t they see they were in trouble?
Each time Nash came close to grabbing the reins, the vehicle bounced them on the seat. She didn’t want to let go of Nash, but she didn’t want them both to fly out of the buggy, either.
Up ahead, a tree stood in their path. Silently, she prayed that the horse would notice as well. Just before they reached the tree, the animal darted away from the large object. The buggy turned slightly, tipping to one side. Johnson let out a cry and flew out, rolling on the ground. Frances watched her to make certain she was all right. Thankfully, the maid sat up and brushed her hands over her dress.
Closing her eyes, Frances held tighter to Nash’s arm. Would she be next to fall from the vehicle? He leaned against the turn, which made the buggy settle back on both wheels. She released a sob as she pressed her cheek against his strong arm.
“How is your maid?” Nash asked in a panicked voice.
“She seems to be all right.” Frances’ voice shook.
Determination etched across Nash’s features as he concentrated on the reins. Holding her breath, she said a silent prayer that someone would help them. Nash’s mouth tightened and he lunged for the reins and nearly pulled her from off the seat. This time, his fingers wrapped around them. He yanked hard, finally bringing the horse to a stop. The animal continued to buck, fitfully.
Three men rushed up to assist. One took hold of the strap around the horse’s head. The second man gripped the front of the buggy, while the third man raised his arms up to Frances as though to help her down.
With trembling hands, she reached for the man. Nash’s large, warm hands took hold of her waist and guided her. Within seconds, he jumped down, himself.
Frances’ body shook, so she wrapped her arms around her middle. Ladies hurried toward her. One elderly woman slid her arm around Frances’ shoulders, pulling her away from the buggy. Questions exploded all around Frances, but she couldn’t concentrate enough to answer. Her attention stayed on Nash as he ran a comforting hand over the animal’s back, and down each leg, as if searching for what could have made the horse act in such a way.
Nash pushed his fingers under the blanket lying across the horse’s back, and then quickly yanked them out. He muttered something Frances couldn’t understand as the horse jerked again. The other two men held tightly to the horse, trying to keep him still. Nash lifted a side of the blanket to display bunches of sticker weeds.
Frances gasped. No wonder the horse went wild when Nash tried to pull the reins. Moving would have caused great pain to the animal. She broke away from the crowd of women who’d gathered around her, and moved next to Nash.
“Where did they come from?” she whispered, staring at the burrs.
“I was wondering the same thing.” He glanced at her from over his shoulder. “The only way these would have gotten under the blanket was while we were strolling around the rose bushes. If the sticker weeds had been there before, the horse would have acted like this before I picked you up.”
“I know.” She held her breath, not daring to think the thought that suddenly popped into her head.
“In other words,” Nash continued in a soft voice for only her ears, “someone wanted to spoil our outing.”
Slowly, she nodded. “But who?”
“I don’t know.” He smiled teasingly. “Perhaps I made one of your beaus upset that I took you to the park instead of them escorting you.”
She chuckled softly. “Aren’t you the funny one now?”
With the help from the other men, Nash was able to remove the burrs from between the blanket and the horse’s back. The women asked questions, but Frances didn’t know how to answer. She tried to reply to their questions without worrying them. From up the way, two women were assisting Johnson as the maid limped toward Frances holding her right arm. She broke away from the crowd to help her maid.
“Are you all right?” Frances asked as she took the place of one of the ladies.
“I think my wrist and ankle are twisted, but nothing worse, thank goodness.”
They reached the buggy and Johnson sagged against the vehicle. Finally, the crowd trickled away, leaving Frances with Nash, once again. He stroked his palm over the horse’s back, murmuring soothing words. Obviously, his touch was magical because the animal relaxed. It amazed her how quickly Nash could calm the horse. The deep timbre in Nash’s voice nearly put her under a spell, as well.
He turned to the maid. “Here, allow me to help you inside.”
Johnson nodded and carefully climbed inside as he assisted.
Using the reins, Nash led the horse and buggy back to the main path in the park. Frances walked beside them, noticing the horse had returned to normal. She breathed a sigh of relief. At least one of them was tranquil. Her nerves continued to jump all over the place. Her mind replayed their wild ordeal, and it surprised her how well Nash handled the situation. It pleased her to know he had been worried about her, too.
They reached the road and he stopped the horse. Turning toward her, he smiled. “Are you ready to climb back in the buggy?”
She really wasn’t, and yet gazing into his warm bluish-gray eyes comforted her in an odd way. A soft smile bracketed his face as he cupped one side of her face.
“Are you all right? There isn’t much color in your face.”
Laughing uncomfortably, she pushed his hand away. “I’m still a little shaken, but I shall be fine.”
“The horse won’t become wild again, I assure you.” He held out his hand for her to take.
As she slid her palm against his, tingles grew inside her belly. She lifted the hem of her dress and climbed inside. Anxiously, she waited for him to join her, and when he did, it took all of her willpower not to snuggle against his arm again.
“I suppose you would like to return home,” he said, looking down at her with his caring gaze.
“Yes, I would. Thank you, Nash.”
He urged the horse into a trot again, and the peaceful ride calmed her considerably. Of course, it was probably more Nash’s tender kindness than it was anything else.
“Do you think,” she said after a few moments of silence, “anyone saw what happened? Would they tell you if they noticed someone pushing sticker weeds under the horse’s blanket?”
“I can only hope that if they did see, they would come tell me.” He reached over and grasped her arm, pulling her closer to him on the seat. “You still look frightened. I beg you, hold onto my arm. It will make you feel better.”
She nodded and cuddled against his arm. Peace filled her, but she didn’t question the strange reaction.
“After I take you home, I’ll return to the park and ask questions. Hopefully, we can catch the irresponsible person who did this.”
“That’s a wise idea.”
During the remainder of the ride, she was satisfied just to snuggle against his arm. A smile lifted her mouth and she didn’t care who saw her right now. Gossipmongers could start rumors if they wished, but it didn’t matter. She was marrying Nash in seven days, anyway. However, she should still guard her feelings. He was only marrying her out of duty.
