embrace. She surrendered to the intoxicating taste and scent and feel of him. He held her as if he meant to brand her body with his, kissing her until the world spun dizzily around her.
Then he broke the kiss just as suddenly, steadied her on her feet until she regained at least some of her balance. She felt breathless, flushed. Speechless. He looked down into her eyes, for a long time.
For the last time.
The thought pierced her heart. Then his hands were catching her by the waist and he scooped her up, easily lifting her onto the horse’s broad back.
“Stay away from the main roads.” His voice sounded rough. “Keep your guard up. If you see any... if...” He seemed unable to finish the sentence. “Damn it, just be careful.” He handed her the reins and stepped out of the way. “Go and find your dreams in Venice.” He squinted, perhaps because the bright sun blinded him. “Go and forget me.”
Sam could feel her lower lip quivering. “Don’t ask for any promises.”
She couldn’t say any more. Couldn’t bear any more. She would never forget him. Never. Touching her heels to the gelding’s flanks, she wheeled her horse and set off toward the east, into the morning sunlight. Hot tears made the forest nothing but a blur of dark shadows and emerald green.
And she did not allow herself to look back.
~ ~ ~
Clouds rumbled in the night sky overhead, obscuring the moon and stars. Lightning flashed in the distance, and the wind that tangled her long hair carried the threat of rain. Sam thought of stopping and seeking shelter. She had left Cannock Chase behind an hour ago, and now followed what must be a sheep or cattle trail across open fields.
Her ruffled cotton chemise and silk skirt would offer little protection from a downpour, but she couldn’t seem to make herself care whether she got drenched or not. She kept going, slowing from a trot to a steady walk. The gelding didn’t seem the least bit weary. She was the one who felt sore from hours of riding.
And from last night. One delicate part of her body felt particularly tender, bringing a constant memory of the innocence she had given away, the sweet intimacy she had experienced.
The closeness she had lost almost as quickly as she had learned to treasure it.
She blinked away the dampness in her eyes, felt too miserable and tired to worry about rain or anything else. Everything was so different from the way it had been last night.
It felt so... odd to be alone.
Once or twice while she was still in the forest, she had heard movement behind her on the path—and even as she had concealed herself in the trees, her heart had fluttered with hope. Was it Nick? Had he changed his mind and followed her?
The first time it had been a deer, the second time a wild goat.
And both times had made her feel like a fool. How could she still be so naive, so witless as to think he might come after her? Nick James was not the type of man to chase after a woman. He had enjoyed her, shared pleasure with her for a brief time, and that was that, in his view. She would never see him again.
The sooner she got used to that idea, the better.
Rain began to spatter down from the black sky, matching her bleak mood. The horse nickered softly as the fat drops splashed his sleek brown coat.
“Sorry, old boy.” She sighed. “I promise when we get to Merseyside, I’ll sell you to someone who has a nice warm stall for you.”
Hunching her shoulders against the rain, she decided that perhaps it would be wise to stop somewhere. A hot meal and a roof over her head might do wonders for her spirits. A farm would suffice.
Or perhaps she should even splurge on herself and go to an inn. Order a hot bath sent up. And some scented soap and a pretty nightshift.
The idea made her sigh. A touch of civilization could be just what she needed, after so long in the wild. But she wasn’t sure what kind of indulgences she could afford at the moment. Shifting her weight, she slipped her hand into her pocket.
And felt something lumpy.
Frowning, she glanced down. With the clouds blocking the moon, she could barely see, but there was definitely something other than coins in her skirt pocket. What the devil had she...
As soon as her fingers closed