“Can you carry me again?”
Worry instantly sprang forth, his eyes tracking over her with a sharp gleam. “What’s wrong? Are you hurt anywhere?”
She shook her head. “No, it’s just... my legs feel awfully shaky.”
Dare didn’t hesitate. He lifted her into his arms and strode straight to the house. Behind them, Heart cursed and demanded something, but he didn’t bellow or roar. A bloody miracle. Perhaps their current misfortune had finally infiltrated his senses.
Another miracle would be escaping the affair unscathed, but Dare didn’t think they would be that lucky. One miracle a lifetime was already many.
Two?
Impossible.
Chapter Nine
“This is preposterous!”
Was what her brother should have been shouting, but his lips didn’t so much as move an inch as they entered their home. Usually, it wouldn’t even have mattered if they had company. Today was a prime example of that. If Heart had something to say, he would say it. Or to put it more accurately, Leonora thought, if Heart had somebody to scold, he would scold.
Yet even with only Harriet here—and she’d been present for many other scolds—Heart had remained uncharacteristically silent. Luckily, the strength in Leonora’s legs had returned the moment they left Brimfield house. Even more fortunately, Harriet had followed her and Dare and decided to return with her.
The moment Leonora shed her wet clothes and changed into a simple dress of white, she fell back onto her bed next to her friend, uncaring whether her hair was still damp. If she had to fight with it, it would be tomorrow’s problem.
Her gaze fell on Dare’s jacket, draped over her chair.
Her heart tickled.
“Are you sure you are all right?” Harriet asked. “You look a bit pale.”
“That’s because I just had the fright of my life.”
“Well, I’ll admit, that alligator startled even me, and I wasn’t even in the fray,” Harriet said with a furrowed brow. “Even so, if something is amiss, you can tell me, you know.”
Leonora nodded. But she didn’t want to burden her newly wed friend with her shocking secrets. The last thing she wanted was for Harriet to worry about her. A woman in young love should enjoy the delight while still fresh.
Besides, she didn’t relish the idea of reliving any of this afternoon yet. She still couldn’t quite believe she had clamped up to the degree she had when the duchess offered her... what had she offered her again? Ah, it didn’t matter. Thank all the holy saints for Dare’s sharp eyes! He alone had noticed how thrown she’d been by the encounter.
“Nothing is amiss,” she reassured her friend. Nothing she couldn’t handle. “The past two days have been a lot. Today especially.”
Harriet snatched up a pillow to hug. “Who can blame you? The papers today were mocking enough. I am afraid to see what they shall say tomorrow.”
Leonora groaned. “No, I don’t want to think about it. All I want to do is forget.”
Harriet chuckled. “Dare seems quite taken with you, which surprised me. I don’t think he’s ever been so concerned over a woman before.”
Leonora glanced at her friend. “Ah, well, haven’t you heard? We’ve been bonded by a parrot.”
“You cannot deny that bird was quite determined to steal your rake.”
Leonora grabbed a pillow and hit her friend. “Don’t talk nonsense!”
Harriet laughed and suggested, “Why don’t we go shopping for hats? It might bring the color back to your skin. Oh, right, you don’t like hats, do you? We can always try to empty Heart’s coffers on the latest fashion plates.”
Leonora shook her head. Honestly, the events of the day had exhausted her. “You should go. Leeds must be waiting for you.”
“Leeds will keep your brother company for a while, don’t worry. Your bath should be ready soon as well. Then we can go shopping.”
“I beg of you, don’t drag me to the shops. My legs might fail me again.”
