“Not at all, my lord,” Louisa said.
After receiving directions to Mr. Lofting’s house, they bid the earl farewell and made their way to the waiting carriage. Ruth stepped into the vehicle first, and when Louisa went to follow suit, Sir Aaron took hold of her arm.
“I have a feeling I upset you in there. Please understand that I tend to open my mouth without thinking. I hope you’ll be willing to overlook a moment of poor judgment and allow me the chance to prove I can be a proper gentleman.”
Louisa smiled. “I do understand, sir. I have areas of my life on which I’m working, as well. Therefore, yes, I’ll offer you such a chance if you promise to be patient with me.”
“There is one other thing,” he said with a wink.
“If you accuse me of flirting with Lord Walcott,” she said in mock indignation, “I may just strike you. So choose your words carefully.”
He chuckled. “No, it’s not that. I would like to congratulate you.”
“Congratulate me?” she asked. “Whatever for?”
“For stealing his attention away from me. You emerged victorious, and I failed. Well done, Miss Dunston. Enjoy your victory.”
Her heart warmed at such a compliment. “Thank you. I shall.”
“I certainly hope so, for I’m about to show you what winning truly looks like.” He added another wink.
Arching a single eyebrow, Louisa said, “Are you offering a challenge, Sir Knight? If so, I accept!”
Sir Aaron extended an arm toward the carriage door. “Then we must make haste, for our battlefield awaits.”
ChapterTwenty-Five
The estate of Mr. Gilbert Lofton was surrounded by dense forest and consisted of a large, two-story house and a garden that would have rivaled that of any nobleman. As a shipping merchant, Mr. Lofton had built a fortune providing the means to import teas, dyes, and rugs from the Orient.
Although most importers relied on the East India Company for their shipping needs, a handful of smaller shippers found buyers willing to pay a handsome feenotto be forced to make agreements with such an unscrupulous organization. Paying the outrageous taxes required for their goods crippled too many enterprises, and Mr. Lofton was one of those offering a way to receive what they needed for a fraction of the price.
The road they took was less traveled, and the carriage shifted precariously over the many ruts and depressions created by the harsh winter.
“If Claremont does not slow down—” Aaron began to say.
Then two things happened at once. The carriage made a sharp jolt to the right before coming to an abrupt stop. And Miss Dunston landed right into Aaron’s arms.
With his back pressed against the window of the leaning carriage, Aaron’s heart pounded in his chest as he inhaled the sweet fragrance of lilacs. Her feminine form pressed against him, his hands gripping her waist as he searched her blue eyes.
The sudden urge to confess his feelings for her erupted in him. To tell her that although he had once believed that romantic notions were for lesser men, he now possessed them. That he wanted to kiss her cheeks, her ears, her forehead, those pouty lips. That he had an overwhelming desire to hold her and never release her.
Somehow, he knew that if he were to do any of those things, he would be left whispering all his secrets to her. Including revealing that he was not the hero she believed him to be. And that could not happen.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
Miss Louisa gave a small nod. “I… I believe so.”
With great reluctance, he released his hold on her, and to his surprise, she frowned. He placed the back of his hand on her cheek, unable to stop a sigh from escaping his lips. Oh, but what soft skin she had!
“I’m glad,” he said. “The thought of you being hurt… well, it bothers me.”
“Sir? I’m so sorry, sir!” Claremont called in a panicked voice as the vehicle door swung open. “Is anyone hurt? Can I help?”
A burst of mischievousness ran through Aaron. “I would see to Miss Lockhart. I believe Miss Dunston is in good hands.” He winked at her, and she laughed. And what a sweet laugh she had!
Aaron climbed from the vehicle, and at once his feet sank into mud. “I just purchased these boots,” he grumbled. He traipsed around the carriage, noting the way it leaned to one side. “Is it a wheel?”
Claremont nodded. “I’m afraid so, sir. The moment I felt it seize, I stopped. Otherwise, the carriage would’ve tumbled over completely.”