Mistletoe and Mayhem - Cheryl Bolen Page 0,130

together and observe other traditions.”

“And you have no wish to observe any with my family?”

“It is not my intention to sound ungrateful in the face of your generosity, but surely your family wish to spend this time alone also?” Her face was serious, eyes somber.

Today someone had tried to grab her off the street outside the lending library, and that alone would have been enough to put some of the women he knew in bed for a week. But not Ivy. She was strong and resilient, just two more things in a long list for him to admire about her.

“We often have guests at this time of year. But if it eases your mind, we also decorate, and there are many events and happenings in the village that I know you will enjoy.”

“Of course.”

“Of course, none of those are the real reason you have no wish to leave London with me, are they? It is that you are confused about what lies between us.”

“You are right. I don’t understand what is between us.” She reached the bottom step where he stood, their eyes now level. “This kind of thing,” she waved a hand about, looking flustered, “is new to me.”

“I’m not used to it myself.”

Her smile flashed the dimple. “That’s good to know.”

“Leave it for now, Ivy. We can get to know each other better at Greystone. We will have plenty of time to talk there. Let us start our journey before the snow worsens or someone else finds a way to come after one of us.” Rory ran a finger down her cheek, then kissed her.

“Go and rally the others.”

She didn’t hesitate, just turned and ran back up the stairs to collect her brother and aunt.

Soon they were all loaded inside the carriages. The family in one, and the servants in the other.

“Surely it is too cold and dangerous to ride,” Ivy said as she prepared to step inside the carriage. “You would be best served in the carriage with us.”

“I like to ride.” He could also see if anyone approached them if he was on horseback. “And I have many layers on, so I will be warm. But thank you for your concern.”

She hesitated, then looked at him. “I don’t want anything to happen to you, Rory.”

“It won’t, I promise.” He squeezed her fingers softly. “In you get now, it’s cold out here.”

They rolled out of London without further incident, which relieved Rory. As the miles passed, he had time to think about just what he felt for the very sweet Miss Redfern and decided it was a great deal more than he’d felt for her last week. Added to that, it was a great deal more than what he’d ever felt for a woman before. His fear earlier, when he saw that man and couldn’t reach her, had bordered on desperation. Was that how Joseph felt for Milly?

Whistling softly to himself, he rode alongside the carriage so he could catch a glimpse of her sleeping with her face pressed to the window. Perhaps he was beginning to understand the emotion he felt for Ivy after all.

Ivy woke as the carriage lurched sideways.

“Dear Lord, the wheel has broken!”

“It’s all right,” Ivy soothed her aunt. “We have Mr. Haddon with us.”

“And me,” Jackson said, throwing off his blanket. “I am not that weak, you know.”

“Yes, you are, and if you stand about in the cold you will be more so. Stay here, and I will see what has happened, although as we are listing to the right, I think it fairly obvious,” Ivy said, opening the door.

The road before them was dappled with snow that had started to fall over the last few miles. Rory had dismounted and was standing with the driver and Timothy, helping to unharness the horses.

“The inn we are to stop at for the night is not far from here,” he said as she approached. “Get back inside where it is warmer, Ivy.”

“It will be some time before that wheel can be fixed, so my aunt and Jackson can squeeze in with the servants and I will wait here—”

“You will not!” Rory glared at her. “You will go, and Timothy and I will deal with the wheel.”

“I can stay,” Jackson protested, having stepped from the carriage.

“You are still weak,” Rory said. “Get your aunt and go to the other carriage. It’s freezing out here. You too, Ivy.”

“I will stay. There are plenty of blankets, and Timothy will keep me company. There is not enough room