“Please do,” Daniel told him. Pulling out a couple of coins, he paid the man and handed Rebecca back up.
“Do you plan to continue straight through the night?” Rebecca asked an hour later. As annoyed as she was with what Daniel had done, the silence between them bothered her. She wasn’t used to being quiet for such long stretches of time, least of all when she wasn’t alone, but seeing him kiss that woman had brought to life a jealousy that irked her in every conceivable way. She didn’t want to be jealous, because that would mean that she’d started to have deeper feelings for this man—feelings that bordered on the possessive. She had to try and tamp them down, because the last thing she needed was to fall in love with a man who in spite of his promises and good intentions was very much the rake he’d always been. What a fool she’d been. When he’d told her how much he appreciated her for being different, she’d allowed herself to believe that there could be something more between them—that he had begun developing a tendre for her just as she had for him. But the woman he’d been kissing was everything Rebecca was not—blonde, with a pale complexion. She probably had blue eyes as well, though Rebecca had not had a chance to notice.
She sighed. Nothing had changed, except that he now needed a wife just as much as she needed a husband. But if he couldn’t say no to another woman mere minutes before eloping with her, then how was he going to be faithful for the duration of their marriage? Regret surfaced briefly, but Rebecca forced it back. The alternative was inconceivable. At least where Daniel was concerned, he was young and fun. She was also confident that he would treat her kindly, but she would do well to remember that theirs was a practical agreement, nothing more, and once they were married, she would do her best to accept him for who he was, provided that he didn’t bring his paramours home with him. Perhaps she would take a lover as well . . . or maybe two or three?
“Are you woolgathering?” Daniel’s voice jerked her back to awareness.
“I beg your pardon?”
His eyes never strayed from the road as the phaeton continued onward. “You asked me a question which I’ve long since answered, but you haven’t replied to mine.”
“Oh. I’m so sorry. I suppose my thoughts must have been elsewhere. What did you say?”
“I was merely wondering if you were tired, because if you are, then you’re welcome to lean your head against my shoulder and try to get some sleep.”
Sleep?
She’d just left her fiancé to elope with a rake and was presently traveling north at breakneck speed, and Daniel thought she might be capable of sleep? “I’m fine,” she said, “but if you’re growing weary of driving, then I’d be more than happy to relieve you.”
Daniel laughed. “I’m sure you would, but a phaeton is not so easy to manage. Have you ever driven one before?”
“No, but I’m a quick study. How hard can it be?”
“Even in daylight many have been known to lose control of the vehicle. Given the speed at which we’re traveling, toppling over would be life threatening. I’d rather not risk it, but perhaps on the way back you can have a go. Is that acceptable?”
It was better than what she’d expected, and the fact that he was willing to at least let her try improved her mood dramatically. “Thank you, Daniel. I would like that very much.”
He chuckled. “Yes, I know. Don’t think I’ve forgotten your adventurous inclination. I just hope I’ll be able to keep you out of trouble once we’re married.”
She knew he was joking, yet she couldn’t resist saying, “That’s rich, coming from a renowned rake.” Her tone sounded far too snide for her own liking.
“Having second thoughts?”
All humor had abandoned his voice, and Rebecca found herself in one of those situations where she dearly wanted to apologize and make things right between them but couldn’t seem to stop herself from lashing out. He’d hurt her, and the acknowledgement of it fueled her resentment of him. “No,” she said. “My options are limited and you are the better choice, no matter your flaws.”
“I see. Because if you’d rather go back, then all you have to do is say the word and I’ll turn these horses around.” He sounded angry, but what reason would he possibly have for that? “After everything I’ve done for you, the least I’d expect is a little bit of gratitude, not for you to make insinuations about my character.”
Well, that was probably a pretty good reason.
“My apologies,” she said. No sense in arguing when she’d already decided to accept him for who he was. “You’re absolutely right, and believe me, I’m very grateful to you for coming to my rescue the way you did. It was most gallant of you.”
“No need for you to overdo it,” he said, his tone softening until she was certain he had to be smiling.
“I only speak the truth.”
“Well, if that is the case, then it’s time for me to be honest too. I know you saw me with Lady Vernon, and I—”
“Oh, is that her name? Well, it’s no matter. You really needn’t explain yourself. Of course, I can’t deny that I was momentarily surprised, but on second thought I see no reason why I should be. You’ve led quite a colorful life before me, and considering our unique circumstances, it would be unreasonable for me to expect that to change. After all, it’s not as if either of us is in love with the other, though I do hope we can be friends.”
“I, er—”
“Just be honest with me and treat me with respect, and I’m sure we’ll have a splendid time together.”
“You’re missing the point, Rebecca.”
“Am I? Because as far as I could tell you were quite busy kissing Lady Vernon mere minutes before eloping with me, and that’s discounting the kiss that you and I shared just three days ago, so no, I don’t think I’m missing the point at all. You’re the sort of man who wants to enjoy whatever pleasures come your way, and however much you’d like to convince both of us of the contrary, the fact remains that you don’t possess the sort of willpower required to avoid temptation. Don’t worry though; I’m perfectly fine with it as long as you keep your liaisons discreet and away from me.” She nudged him playfully in the side, hoping the gesture would convince him of her sincerity—a sincerity she wasn’t remotely close to feeling. The very idea of him frolicking in another woman’s arms made her stomach churn, but if that was what he intended to do, then she might as well accept it rather than waste her time pining for the fidelity of a man who would never give himself to her alone.
Unwilling to discuss the matter any further, she did as he’d suggested earlier and snuggled up against him, her head coming to rest against a firm shoulder. “I think you were right before. I am tired. It’s been a long day. Mind if I get some rest?”
“It’s what I suggested,” he said. He spoke slowly and thoughtfully.
Rebecca closed her eyes and willed herself to sleep. She longed for a brief escape from it all, especially since Daniel was probably already contemplating his good fortune in finding a woman who would not only marry him but also allow him to go on as he’d done before. An ache settled in the pit of her stomach at the very idea, but she would not humiliate herself by begging him to go against his true nature. What right did she even have to do so? They were doing each other a favor, and they would make the most of it as friends. Anything more than that was pure fantasy.
Chapter 12
What the bloody hell was going on? Pacing the upstairs hallway of the inn where they’d arrived a half hour earlier, Daniel contemplated every word they’d spoken to each other during their journey. He was beyond tense, not only from the close proximity he’d shared with Rebecca in the phaeton for the past four hours, her soft scent teasing him as she’d slept peacefully at his side, but from pure, uncomplicated lust for her. He couldn’t recall ever wanting to bed a woman as much as he wanted to bed her, but then she’d started prattling on about how accepting she was of his lifestyle and that she wouldn’t expect him to change on her account. His nerves had been frayed by the end of it. Had she really encouraged him to take mistresses as long as he didn’t bring them home with him?
Good God!
Everything from that point on had happened in a daze, for which his state of exhaustion was probably also to blame. When they’d reached Huntington, he’d decided to stop for the night. If Grover and the Griftons were in pursuit, he doubted that they would be traveling without rest, when Daniel, who was so much younger than all of them, was in dire need of sleep. As long as they got an early start, he was confident they could maintain their lead.
However, he had yet to find the comfort of his bed after agreeing with Rebecca’s request that he allow her to ready herself while he waited outside in the hallway. She’d wanted separate rooms, but since the inn was small and had been filled to capacity, this had not been possible, and Daniel was grateful for it. He wanted her company, regardless of the strange discussion they’d had with each other earlier in the evening. He still couldn’t come to grips with how frank she’d been about her expectations for their marriage. There was no doubt in his mind that her opinion of him had been altered after seeing him with Lady Vernon, and while he knew that he was to blame for that, he couldn’t help but feel frustrated by her blunt dismissal of him.
When will she be ready?
He’d given her ample time to disrobe and climb into bed, and he decided to give the door a light knock. “Enter,” he heard her call from within, so he did, finding the room in complete darkness—so much so that he could barely make out the shape of the bed. He edged his way forward, closing and locking the door behind him. Continuing his progress toward the bed, he began removing his clothes; first his jacket and then his cravat and shirt, which he tossed on a chair that stood against the wall.
Reaching the bed, he sat down on the edge so he could pull off his boots, all the while aware of Rebecca’s huddled form. She hadn’t spoken a word since he’d entered the room, and as far as he could tell, her back was turned toward him in a stubborn gesture to avoid having to interact. Daniel muttered an oath beneath his breath as he gave his boot a hard tug. His annoyance at how pear-shaped everything had gone was beginning to tax his nerves. Pulling off the other boot, he enjoyed the thud that it made as it hit the floor.
Rising, he started unfastening his breeches and pulling them down over his h*ps until he was clad only in his drawers. Eyes settling on the lump Rebecca created on the other side of the bed, he fleetingly wondered how she’d respond if he took them off and climbed into bed completely nak*d. He couldn’t help but smile with mischief, but he decided that doing so would probably not be the best way to earn her forgiveness. So, pulling the covers aside, he sank down onto the mattress and, with a deep sigh, luxuriated in the comfort that the bed and the pillow offered.
Christ, it was good to lie down and close his eyes. He shifted a little and reached down to adjust the fabric of his drawers, which were gathering uncomfortably around his hips. It was no use, so he turned onto his side, but in doing so he uncovered his back. He turned back again and gave his undergarment another tug.