Blake clenched his jaw, choosing to ignore the man. He would return from this with a debt settled, and without a damn butler.
Chapter Two
“What in heaven’sname has happened now?” Rosilee exclaimed, shoving open the carriage door and stumbling out, clutching her racing heart. The sharp crack still echoed in her ears, the sudden stop rattling though her bones. The entire carriage had lurched violently and now slanted precariously to one side.
Honestly!
It had given her quite the fright!
Her eyes fell on the broken carriage wheel, where Ben, her new driver—a boy, really—hunkered low, squinting at the rear wheel that had splintered beyond repair.
“What on earth is next?” Rosilee mumbled, eyeing the scene with exasperation.
If she didn’t know any better, she would have sworn the very universe was conspiring against her. First, her driver had disappeared without a trace at a stop to water the horses, and she’d had to hire a new one—a child who could be no more than twelve years old. But she’d had little choice, as he had been the only one who’d offered to help her.
Then their trip had been delayed again when one of their horses was stolen at the next stop, forcing her to chase down areplacement. She could feel her purse dwindling further by the second. Not a good thing, since Evangeline had told her that Mrs. Dove-Lyon required a hefty purse for her services.
Rosilee glared at the carriage wheel.
Of all the things . . .
She wished her friend had accompanied her, but Evangeline had insisted on staying behind to deal with Baston—should the devil dare show his face again. They couldn’t allow him to discover she’d left the estate.
Who even knew how much time she had left? She needed every moment of it, but with all these delays, would she ever reach London?
Ben glanced back at her, rising to his feet. “I can’t fix this, my lady.” He wrung his hands in an almost sheepish manner. “It’s beyond repair. We won’t be goin’ anywhere until we find a new wheel.”
A whole new wheel?
Rosilee looked left and right. Not a soul could be found in sight. Worse, they had broken down on a bend. A troublesome spot. Fortunately, Ben had had the foresight to yank the carriage into the grass margins when it happened, although it hadn’t been a pleasant experience.
She lifted her eyes to the sky. At least, for the time being, it remained bright and cloudless.
“How long will this set us back?” she asked, already knowing the answer.Too long.
Ben scratched his head. “Could be hours, my lady. Maybe longer, dependin’ on if anyone comes by.”
Rosilee pursed her lips, refusing to allow frustration to take root. She had never been one to indulge in despair, and she certainly wouldn’t start now. Her feet were not broken. With a determined nod, she straightened her spine. “Very well. If no one is coming to us, then we shall go to them.”
“My lady?” the boy probed, but Rosilee had already turned on her heel, marching toward the middle of the road. Who had time to wait around for a miracle?
After all, miracles were for those bold enough to chase them.
“My lady!” Ben scurried after her. “What of your belongings?”
“What of them?” Unnecessary baggage. So long as she had clothes on her body, she could survive.
Wait... She quickly turned and hurried to retrieve the book she’d brought along, a worn-out copy ofThe Mysteries of Udolpho. She could do without clothes, but not without a book!
She kissed the cover and turned to resume her march. “You can stay, or you can accompany me. It’s your choice.”
“My lady!” Ben exclaimed in protest.
“Do not try to stop me,” she cautioned. “I am quite determined to reach London, even if I have to walk there myself.” Who could say how that loathsome Baston was treating her brother? He couldn’t afford for her to waste time.
“But . . .”
“It’s fine if you want to stay,” she said without pausing in her steps. “I shall not hold a grudge against you.”
