one service.’
Hmmph. ‘It appears I must concede the point this time.’
‘What point might that be, Ellie?’ Aunt Lucy asked as Timothy handed her into the post-chaise.
‘Mr Thomas is offended that I have settled his account at the inn.’
‘I see,’ Aunt Lucy said, as she settled on to the seat between them.
She said no more, but it was clear from the sidelong look she bent on Eleanor that she considered her niece to be in the wrong. The journey passed with very little conversation other than passing comments on the scenery or the weather.
* * *
At the first stop to change the horses, however, Aunt Lucy returned to the subject as soon as Matthew left the post-chaise.
‘I am surprised at you, Ellie. Have you no consideration for a young man’s pride?’
‘Of course I have.’ Eleanor was stung by her aunt’s criticism. What about her own pride? Being kissed by a man—no, kissing a man—and then being roundly ignored? ‘I meant no slight.’ Had she really bruised his pride? Guilt stirred deep inside as she reviewed her actions and their conversation. Although she was determined to prove her capabilities in running her estates, she had always taken care not to flaunt her wealth or her privilege in front of others. Particularly men. She had realised, as she matured, that many men resented her title and her wealth simply because they afforded her that elusive advantage—for a female—of independence.
‘The best solution is for you to hand over the travelling purse to Mr Thomas,’ Aunt Lucy said, ‘and then he can settle the accounts and his pride will not suffer.’
‘No. Why should I hand over my money to a near stranger? What if—?’
‘What if I were to abscond with your funds?’ Matthew had appeared at the open door. His eyes glittered. ‘Trust me, Lady Ashby, I have no need of your few paltry coins. I have my own business and my own property. It may not match yours, but it is more than sufficient for my needs.’
He climbed in and slammed the door. The vehicle jerked as the horses took the strain and they were on the road again.
‘You have property, Mr Thomas? In London?’ Aunt Lucy asked.
Eleanor was, for once, grateful for her aunt’s insatiable curiosity. She would never have lowered herself to ask the question, but she was dying to know the answer.
‘Yes, in Bloomsbury. My great-uncle bequeathed me a small house in his will. As I said, it is enough for me.’
‘What was his name?’ Aunt Lucy asked. ‘Mayhap I knew him.’
‘You would not have known him, Lady Rothley. He spent all of his adult life in India. He was my grandmother’s brother—their father was a cloth merchant. They did not move in your circles.’
The conversation was at a close and Eleanor settled down for the remainder of the journey. Just two more nights, then we shall be in London. And then...she closed her eyes and concentrated on planning her campaign for full acceptance in society and those all-important vouchers for Almack’s, burying deep the ache in her heart at the thought she would never see Matthew Thomas again.
Matthew gazed broodingly at Eleanor across the dining table on the evening of the following day. It was the last night of their journey. Tomorrow they would be in London. He would deliver Eleanor and her aunt safely to their door, say goodbye and never have to set eyes on the top-lofty, arrogant, beautiful, stubborn woman again. His brain and his body were in complete conflict. He wanted her. Badly. He was not even sure he liked her. But he definitely wanted her. The tension in his muscles whenever she was close could not be denied.
He’d had to steel himself against the hurt in those beautiful, tawny-brown eyes as he had treated her with cool civility during the first day of travel, when he barely trusted himself to even look at her. After that, it had become easier as Eleanor withdrew behind her grande dame persona. Matthew had busied himself as much as possible at every stop they made, lest he reveal the desire that burned deep within him every time he came within touching distance of her.
‘You still won’t be safe.’ The words were out there before he could consider them, or where they might lead.
Eleanor lowered her knife and fork and fixed those luminous eyes on him, candlelight highlighting gold flecks he had not noticed before. They drew him in, charging his blood, making him wish the impossible.
A man could drown in such limpid beauty.
Pfftt. Next thing, I’ll be reciting poetry. That’s what happens when a man spends too long in the company of females. He gets soft.
‘Would you care to expand upon that remark, Mr Thomas?’
‘I meant to say, how will you keep safe in London? There have been no further incidents, but the closer we get to London, the more traffic there will be, the more people on the streets. How will you distinguish friend from foe?’
Eleanor’s eyes narrowed before she returned her attention to her plate and resumed eating. Time suspended as he held his breath. Was she ever going to reply?
‘I was thinking the same thing myself,’ she said, finally, surprising him. He had expected vehement denial of the risk.
‘I shall have to employ extra footmen as guards,’ she continued. ‘I have Timothy, and there is William, who travelled ahead with the others to prepare the house, but I do not think I can rely on just those two. Not when they have other duties to fulfil as well.’
‘Do you truly believe a couple of extra footmen will suffice to protect you?’
She regarded him steadily. ‘What action would you suggest I take, Mr Thomas?’
Her tone was sweet, at odds with the challenge in her eyes. All day he had been telling himself they would reach London tomorrow and he could walk away. He should walk away. It was not his problem, no matter how attracted he was to her. But, deep down, he struggled against the notion of leaving her to her fate. She was still in danger; he would be leaving her unprotected. Yes, she was wealthy enough to hire a small army to guard her, but they would still be hired men, motivated by money. What if her cousin were to bribe one, or more, of them? No, he could never trust hired men to protect her as well as he would.
It is not your problem. There is nothing you can do.
It was true...and yet he could not abandon her.
His dilemma had pounded incessantly at his brain. If he were to stay, how could he protect her? It would mean entering her world. He could not allow Eleanor and Lady Rothley to introduce him as Matthew Thomas, only to have his true identity revealed by someone who happened to remember him and what had happened.
He was the black sheep of his family. He had never felt as though he belonged—the third son, his two older brothers providing the requisite ‘heir and spare.’ Then Sarah, two years his junior, fêted and spoiled as the only girl until, seven years later,
