a superior specimen of man.”
“Not to mention modest.”
In truth, Luke didn’t mind losing to his youngest brother. At least Drew was willing to indulge him and take his mind off his troubles. Had Richard been traveling with him, Luke would have been tearing down the lane alone. Situated squarely between Luke and Drew in birth order, Richard behaved as if he were in his dotage. They had uncles less crotchety.
Luke raised his brows. “Aren’t you riding one of Father’s horses? That would make him mine, you realize.”
“Demetrius? Sorry to disappoint you, but Father gave him to me long ago.”
“That wasn’t how I heard it. I think the tale went something like you absconded to London with Father’s prized Thoroughbred.”
“Borrowed? Gifted? Is there truly any difference?”
“Not to you, I guess.”
Their banter continued as Luke turned his horse back down the lane and made to return to the ladies. As he rounded the bend, he spotted another carriage closing in on their small caravan.
“Damnation. It’s Brookhaven and Collier again.”
Drew rode up on his side. “We are traveling to the same destination. It should come as no surprise that our paths have crossed again. I imagine we will be breaking bread with them this evening.”
Luke’s fingers tightened on the reins. “If I take the ribbons and drive the team, it should be easy enough to lose them.”
“You most certainly will not. My wife and children are in the carriage.”
Luke shook the foolish notion from his head. “I wasn’t seriously contemplating it.”
Any risk of harm coming to Vivian or his kin would never do, even though putting distance between themselves and the rogues was tempting. He dreaded another dinner with the drooling mongrels, especially when the tasty morsel they would be eyeing was Vivian.
Drew walked his horse to where his hat lay tipped over in the lane, dismounted, and slapped it against his trouser leg before popping it on his head. He swung back into the saddle as Luke’s carriage approached.
As the conveyance passed, Luke took up position alongside it. Vivian flattened a palm against the glass, as if waving, and smiled. She had removed her gloves and bonnet, and wisps of hair had slipped down around her face.
God, she was breathtaking.
A tug of longing from deep inside caused him to bolt upright in the saddle. The feeling was unexpected, startling him, just like the falling sensation that jerked him awake at night.
Twelve
Vivi welcomed the stop to change horses and hastened to exit the carriage when Lord Andrew opened the door. Not only had her backside grown numb from the prolonged period of sitting, but her mind was also turning to mush. Although Lana’s conversational skills were exceptional, there was only so much Vivi could contribute before she grew restless. She was the type of lady who preferred doing to discussing.
She swept her gaze over the coaching yard and didn’t see Luke. Where could he have gone? She had spotted him only moments before their arrival.
Lord Andrew assisted his wife down the steps next then tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “Shall we retrieve the girls?”
“Yes,” Lana said on a rush of breath.
Vivi bit her bottom lip as she watched her companion hurry to gather her daughters from the nurse. How difficult it must be for Lana to be separated from her children all day. If Vivi were any kind of friend, she would invite the girls to join them in Luke’s carriage. She opened her mouth to make the suggestion, and a loud shriek caused her to jump.
Egads. That child had a voice. Perhaps she would wait until they reached the next coaching inn before extending an invitation.
“Would you like to take refreshment, Lady Vivian? Luke will join us in a moment.” Lord Andrew cuddled his daughter against his chest and placed a kiss on her red curls. Chloe, or perhaps it was Claire—she had a difficult time telling the little ones apart—seemed mesmerized by his moving mouth and grabbed for his lips.
It was an unwelcome reminder of her encounter with Luke last night. Vivi wheeled around before anyone could see the hot blush climbing her neck and stealing into her cheeks. “I-I believe fresh air will benefit me most. Please, don’t allow me to keep you from taking refreshment, though.”
“If you are certain…”
She kept her back to her chaperones, feigning interest in the mundane tasks performed by the servants. “I’m quite certain, thank you.”
“Very well.”
Her maid hung behind as the brood entered the inn, Lana’s happy chatter becoming muffled