A Secret Surrender - Darcy Burke Page 0,70

for a brief moment as she felt the animal move beneath her. She could get used to this…

Suddenly, Hyacinth whinnied and began to move faster. Selina’s eyes flew open in panic. “What’s going on?”

“Damn rabbit,” Trask swore. He pulled on the lead and talked to Hyacinth, urging her to walk again. Thankfully, she did.

Selina had leaned forward to throw her arms around Hyacinth’s neck. She breathed hard as she worked to calm herself now that she knew she was safe.

“Sit back and center yourself,” Harry said softly. “Are you all right?”

“Yes. I was just surprised. I’d closed my eyes for just a moment.”

“I saw that,” he said. “You seemed to be enjoying yourself.”

“I am.” Her eyes met his, and she saw the same sentiment reflected back at her—happiness. Joy. This was perhaps the best moment she’d ever experienced.

They completed their walk, and Harry helped her dismount. Selina’s legs felt a bit shaky as she patted Hyacinth’s neck and thanked her for the ride.

“Thank you, Trask,” Harry said. “I’ll let you know when we’ll do this again. Mayhap after Lady Gresham procures a riding habit.”

“That would be advisable.” Trask bowed to Selina. “My lady, it’s been a pleasure.”

“The pleasure was entirely mine,” she said warmly. “Thank you.”

Selina’s chest tightened. How she wished she could do this again.

Harry escorted her back to the gig, and Jakes went to help Trask. Once Selina was situated in her seat, Harry climbed in beside her.

“What did you really think?” he asked. “I know you were spooked for a moment.”

“It was wonderful. Thank you.” She wanted to touch him, to kiss him, to show him how much she appreciated his thoughtfulness.

“There’s no one here, save the grooms who are behind us and occupied with their task,” he said huskily, his body pitching toward hers. “Do you mind if I kiss you?”

“Please do.” She put her hand on his shoulder and leaned into him as his mouth claimed hers. The kiss was sweet and electric. It further suffused her with that foreign sensation of happiness and joy—of rightness.

Reluctantly, he pulled back. “I suppose I must drive you home.”

“I suppose you must.”

He picked up the reins and shifted in his seat. She couldn’t help but look over to see if he was aroused as she was. “It’s too bad you can’t come upstairs when you take me home.”

His nostrils flared. “You’re a vixen to tempt me. Unfortunately, I need to work. But perhaps I may stop by later this evening.”

She leaned toward him as he started to drive. “Come to the rear of the house, and toss a pebble at the window of the sitting room—I’ll be waiting.”

Selina meant to hold on to this happiness as long as she could.

For the first time in, well, ever, Harry was eager to get through the weekly dinner at his parents’ house because he had somewhere else to go. More importantly, he had someone to see.

After visiting Selina last night, they’d arranged for him to come again tonight. He wanted to see her every day, and damn if that wasn’t terrifying. What was happening to him?

He took special care to cloak his buoyancy. His family would pounce on it—on him—like starving wolves.

“Good evening, Mr. Sheffield,” Tallent said, taking Harry’s hat and gloves. “Your father has asked that you join him in his study again.”

Harry had expected that. “Is Jeremy by chance here?” Harry had sent him a note pleading with him to come tonight. When they were here together, it was easier to keep the wolves at bay.

Tallent gave him an apologetic look. “I’m afraid not.”

Harry exhaled in disappointment. “Thank you, Tallent.”

Making his way to his father’s study, Harry reviewed in his mind what he intended to say. And braced himself for his father’s anger.

“Harry, pour yourself a glass of brandy and join me,” Father said from his chair by the hearth. The day had been cool, so there was a low fire burning.

Harry fetched his brandy and took the open chair situated across from his father. “I was hoping Jeremy might be here.”

Father grunted in response before sipping his brandy. He looked over at Harry, one eye narrowing. “Your mother is going to that Home for Wayward Children tomorrow with the charlatan. I thought you were working to prove the woman is a fraud.”

“I told you the charity looks to be real. As for the rest, as I said before, is it really so terrible if Mother visits the woman?” Harry thought of his last visit to Madame Sybila. Her