Night had fallen as finally, the carriage rolled to a stop. He opened the door, stepped down onto the cobbled driveway, and held out his hand. Claire’s fingers felt soft in his. Her gloves were tucked into his pocket, and he held them firm as he led her towards the house.
“It looks a lovely little cottage, Simon,” she said, looking at the façade before them.
“Yes, it has a charm of its own.”
He led her to the front steps and told her to wait whilst he found the key, which was placed under a pot around the side of the house. Returning, he opened the door and then urged her inside.
“Where shall Merlin and Ben sleep?”
“In the stables, Claire. There is a comfortable loft that will suit them both. Now find some candles whilst I collect our luggage.”
It did not take him long to organize his coach and horses and ensure his drivers were comfortable before carrying their bags into the cottage.
She was not where he’d left her. Dropping the luggage, he walked through the kitchen and found Claire in a small parlor. She had lit several candles and was walking around the shelves studying book titles.
“The owner is an avid gardener, Simon, if these books are any indication.”
“He is.”
“I sometimes wish I could live at a place like this.” She sounded wistful as she turned slowly, taking in the pale walls and soft rugs scattered on the floor. It was a special place to Simon, the first home he had thought of as his own. This was where he ran when he needed solitude or a place to think. It was small, consisting of two rooms upstairs and three down. It was simple and decorated for comfort rather than style, and he loved every inch of it.
“You want to live in a house with five rooms?” He watched as she pressed her face to the small paned windows, which he knew led to a garden filled with the sweet scent of a hundred blooms and enough color to make even Miss Bugs happy.
“Sometimes I wish to escape, Simon, if only for a day.”
“Why don’t you?”
Her laugh held no humor. “How like a man with no restrictions to suggest such a thing.” Moving back to the bookshelf, she skimmed her fingers slowly along the spines as she walked. “I cannot even leave my house alone to shop for a new bonnet without someone demanding to know where I have been and why. Were I to simply climb on my horse and leave London, my mother’s heart would give out, and my brother would lock me in my room for days.”
“I can see how that could be a deterrent,” Simon said, moving to lean against the wall. “However I, too, have crosses to bear.”
“Do tell, my lord, of these crosses you bear,” she said, stopping to stare at him. The distance between them was not great, and he could see she was nervous, being here alone with him. She was a young woman who had never done anything but follow the rules, and now she was breaking them in a spectacular fashion.
“I, as an eligible bachelor with healthy teeth and a full purse, am a hunted species.” Ignoring her scoffing sounds, he continued. “I am tittered at, called upon to pick up gloves and handkerchiefs, and must listen while mothers extol their daughters’ virtues until I want to gnash my teeth.”
“Oh please, you cannot expect me to believe the adoration you receive nightly is not welcome, Lord Kelkirk.”
She was beautiful in candlelight, the flicker casting her skin and hair golden. Somehow here in his home, she appeared approachable and imminently more touchable.
“From some it is welcome,” he said slowly, “however, when Lady Pepper pretends to trip and land on me, it is not. That woman could flatten an entire cavalry of the King’s Dragoon Guards.” Her smile was like a light appearing at the end of a tunnel. Seeing her unsettled and hurt today had affected him, but that brief flash of teeth made him feel lighter. “Besides, I had you most evenings to un-stroke my ego, Miss Belmont.”
The smile fell from her lips.
“Claire, I’m joking with you. I enjoy our conversational battles.”
Her smile was tentative. “Wh-where shall I sleep, as I would like to retire now, please?”
Pushing off the wall, he reached for her bags. “There are two rooms upstairs, both off the hallway. You shall take the one on the right. There is bedding in the hall cupboard.”
Hesitating briefly, Simon watched her as she bobbed a little curtsey and then hurried off in the direction he had indicated. He collected her bags and followed.
The cupboard stood open, and she was inside pulling out several items when he reached her.
“Do you need help with your bed, Simon?”
“I can make my own bed, Claire, but thank you for the offer.” Simon opened the door to her room and took her bags inside.