Page 68 of A Winter Scandal

Thea gave a rueful smile. “If you knew Daniel better, you would have even less faith in his lying.”

“I will not have you hurt by village gossip. I think we can probably make it to Chesley. We did not come as far as it seemed last night. It took us over two hours, but I think we will be able to make it back in less time without the wind and falling snow. When I reached the road, it was clear that there had been traffic on it—a wagon or coach, perhaps more than that. It will not be as difficult on the road as it will be up to it. If we can make it there, we should be fine.”

Thea nodded. “Very well. We are ready to go. All I have to do is put another blanket on top of Matthew.”

“Wait.” He reached out to cup her neck, a devilish grin spreading across his face. “We have something to do before we go.”

A thrill ran out through all Thea’s nerves. She cast a teasing glance up at him. “Really? And what is that?”

“Yes, really.” He plucked the spectacles from her face. “I will show you.”

Fourteen

They made love sweetly this time, stoking the fires of their passion until they finally burned too hot to be denied and swept them to a shattering paroxysm of pleasure. But the sun was moving inexorably in the sky, so, reluctantly, they left their bed. While Gabriel went out to harness the team, Thea rose and dressed, plaiting her recalcitrant hair into two long braids and tying them with a piece of ribbon she cut from her petticoat. A look in the mirror told her that her hair still looked anything but orderly, but she comforted herself with the thought that no one would be able to see it once she pulled on her knit cap and the hood of her cloak. She folded one of the extra blankets she’d brought and tucked it around the sleeping Matthew, then wrapped up the remainder of the bread, just in case he grew hungry on the trip.

She cast a last look around the place, feeling the treacherous sting of tears in her eyes. She told herself it was nonsensical to feel this way over a nondescript little cottage that they had been forced to stay in because of bad weather. It was in no way a romantic trysting place, and she was not the sort to be foolishly romantic, anyway. But she knew, with a tug in her chest, that the night she had spent here had been the most wonderful time of her life.

They stowed the baby in his basket on the floorboard between them, the heavy lap robe across their laps hanging over his basket like a roof. Thea stuffed the other blanket between them in an attempt to cut off as much of the draft from the baby as was possible.

As Gabriel had predicted, the drive to the road was difficult, the snow still deep even after the horses had trampled it down, and Thea spent most of the time with her hands curled into fists, tensely waiting for the crack of a wheel hitting a hidden rock or rut. They had to stop once and get out to push when one of the wheels got stuck, but they persevered, finally reaching the road. Here a passing wagon or coach had created ruts and a more beaten-down path, and they were able to move more freely. Gabriel drove carefully for fear of hitting an icy patch, but they did not encounter any problems beyond Matthew’s awakening and fussing at being left in his basket.

The trip was almost eerily quiet, and they passed no one on the way. The snow-covered trees and bushes were beautiful, broken only now and then by the darting flight of a bird. It was easy to feel as if they were alone in this pristine world. When, just as the last sliver of sun was passing over the horizon, the curricle approached the familiar grounds of the church and vicarage, Thea felt a distinct stab of disappointment. Her normal life was about to continue, the idyllic moment of time with Gabriel gone.

Gabriel helped Thea, who was now carrying the baby, down from the vehicle and carried the baby’s basket into the house. Thea stepped into the kitchen and was at once engulfed in warmth and light and the wonderful aroma of spices. Lolly was sitting curled up on the hearth of the great fireplace, and she leaped to her feet with a loud whoop when she saw Thea.

“Oh, miss! The baby! You found him!” She rushed forward, and Thea handed Matthew over to her.

“Yes, and he seems to be all right, but I am sure he is in need of both food and a new set of clothes.”

“Yes, miss, this is wonderful! I’m so happy!” Lolly jiggled the baby, kissing him all over his face and making him giggle. She practically danced out of the room, taking Matthew upstairs to change.

Thea turned to Gabriel. She smiled, forcing down the sudden onslaught of sadness. It wasn’t as if he were going away forever, she told herself. She would see him again, no doubt soon. But she could not help but think how very different it would now be.

He reached out to take her hands and looked down at her, frowning. “Blast. I cannot even give you a proper good-bye for fear your brother or someone will pop in at any moment.” He cast a wary eye at the door into the rest of the house, then bent to give her a quick kiss. “Oh, the devil with it.” He pulled her into his arms for a deeper and much more satisfying kiss.

At last he released her. “I must get home. I cannot leave my team out there any longer.”

“No. You should not. They deserve a nice warm stable and a good meal of oats.”

“They shall get it, no worry there. And I shall doubtless receive a proper scolding from my head groom.”

He hesitated, giving her hand a last squeeze, then turned abruptly and walked away. At the door, he pivoted back, saying, “I shall send a man over as soon as I get to the house.”

Thea nodded, and he was gone. She let out a sigh and began to pull off her cloak and gloves.

“Thea!” The door opened and Daniel walked in. “Thank goodness you are back. I could not believe it this morning when Lolly gave me your note. Really, Thea, what were you thinking?”

“I was thinking about Matthew’s safety.”

“Who?”

“Matthew. The baby. Really, Daniel, you cannot be that forgetful.”

“No, of course not, it’s just—I don’t know, things are all at sixes and sevens since you took up that child.”

“What things?” she asked, reminding herself to be patient. Daniel was not an unkind man; he simply got fussy when his world fell out of its proper little order.

“I have been trying to write my sermon for tomorrow.” He gave her an aggrieved look. “I searched all over for your suggestions, but I couldn’t find them.”