“Why did you come to Auburn Ridge?”
“Oh.” He wasn’t sure how to answer that. “Right to the difficult questions, eh?”
Her unexpected laughter warmed his heart. “I went to see Dr. Mickelson.”
“It didn’t sound as if you were there for a social call.”
Simon chuckled. “No, it wasn’t a social call. I’m sorry if I frightened you.”
“I was just grateful to be out of that icy water.”
“They don’t even warm it?”
She shook her head. “It’s the opposite actually. I wasn’t exaggerating when I said it was icy.”
He should have killed the son of a bitch while he was there. Better yet, he should have done more researching before leaving Samantha there in the first place. He had failed her.
“I’m sorry you had to endure that, Madelene.”
“If you hadn’t come along and rescued me, I’m sure there would have been more to come. Thank you for coming to my aid, even if it wasn’t the reason for your visit.”
“I only did what any decent man would have.” Although, he’d sent his own sister there, so what did that make him? Certainly not decent.
She shrugged. “I haven’t met a great number of men.”
“Well, you’ll just have to take my word for it then.”
She placed a hand over her mouth to cover a yawn.
“You must be exhausted after everything you’ve been through. We have a few hours ahead of us yet, so you might as well get some sleep.” Not surprisingly, the carriage was well appointed—it was owned by a marquess, after all. He folded a blanket and placed it at the end of her bench. She’d be mostly comfortable. “Lie down and place your head here.”
As she curled herself into position, the carriage hit a rut, and she nearly toppled onto the floor. She smiled up at him. “Perhaps it’s not such a good idea for me to sleep.”
“Don’t you worry.” He sat down with his back against her seat and spread his arms along the edge. “I won’t let you fall. Get some rest.”
It wasn’t long before her breathing found an even rhythm.
What the hell was he going to do with her? She wasn’t part of his plan.
He didn’t do rash things. Every moment of his life was planned out meticulously. He woke at the same time every morning, took the same route to work, and drank the same tea. His socks were paired up in the left-hand drawer of his wardrobe, and his ties rolled up in the right.
Going to Auburn Ridge on a whim was foolhardy and not how he did things. He’d allowed his guilt and anger to get the best of him, and lost track of his priorities—the men on his list. He never should have gone there. At least, not until he had a plan.
He wasn’t a savior. He didn’t have attachments. He didn’t lose control.
He turned his head to look at her. She was beautiful and peaceful in sleep. A piece of dark hair had escaped its pins and curled over her cheek. If he hadn’t gone, she’d still be there, suffering at the hands of those men. He sighed. His decision may have been foolhardy, but how could he possibly regret it?
Surprisingly, she slept through the rest of their journey. When had she last had a good night’s sleep? By the time they neared his townhouse, his body was stiff. He groaned as he got up off the floor. Gently, he rubbed the back of his hand over her temple. Her eyes fluttered open and after a moment, a smile grew on her lips.
“We’re nearing our destination, so I thought I’d wake you.”
She groaned as well as she pushed herself upright. “Thank you. And thank you for keeping me safe while I slept.”
“It was hardly a sacrifice on my part.”
Her smile faltered. “What is our destination?”
“For now, it’s my townhouse in London. I promise, there will be no cold baths.”
