Chapter 6
Josephine snuggled into the warmth next to her that felt like a comforting cocoon keeping her safe and content.
A smile crept over her lips as she inhaled the familiar smell that reminded her of Milton.
How many times in the past had she remembered the scent of his cologne?
Too many to count, and with this gentle reminder from their past encounters her arm tightened around the figment of her imagination.
This dream was more real than any other she had recently.
The pressure around her shoulder moved, and with the motion she felt a gentle squeeze. Josephine’s eyes opened wide with the realization this was no dream! As she came fully awake, the constant rhythm of a heartbeat steadily thumped beneath her ear.
A gasp escaped her until the man above her gave a quiet shhh, so she didn’t wake the other occupants of the carriage. “Good heavens,” she murmured quietly, as she raised her head. She meant to right herself and sit up straight, but Milton held her in place.
Leaning his head forward, Milton stared back at her with mischievous blue eyes. “Hello, my love.” His sultry tone was almost her undoing, sending shivers racing through her entire body.
“Milton… I-I’m so embarrassed.” She hid her face in her hands before she finally disentangled herself from him. Josephine had to admit she immediately felt the loss of his warmth. She noticed George and Julia still fast asleep… or so she assumed, since they both could be faking their slumber.
“There’s no need to feel embarrassed, dearest Josie,” he purred in her ear as he relaxed in his seat while watching her intently.
His smile told her much, and she knew it wouldn’t take a great deal of effort on her part to give her heart away to him for a second time.
“I am more than willing to be your pillow any time you need to nap.”
She shook her head. The heat of her embarrassment flushed her cheeks. “I promise you this will never occur again. I am sorry I inconvenienced you.”
A low chuckle left him. “Never is a long time. I am just as certain that vow is one you will soon break,” he declared with another knowing grin.
“How can you be so sure?” she asked, annoyed that he was so full of himself. He then leaned forward as if he was going to kiss her. She quickly glanced at the other occupants of the carriage, but they continued to appear as though asleep.
“Because once you become my wife, there will be plenty of opportunities to use my shoulder as your place to rest, my dearest love.”
Her breath hitched at the underlying intimacy of his words.
Just the thought of being married to Milton made her traitorous heart soar.
She choked back a sob, trying to remember her resolve to remain indifferent to this man.
She thought of Philip and tried to bring his image to mind, but to no avail.
And when Milton reached over to her and tipped her chin upward with his fingertips, she became lost in thought to everything but him.
“Tell me I haven’t lost you completely,” he urged, as his lips inched ever closer.
“I―”
The sudden lurching of the carriage caused Josephine to reach out to steady herself, even as George and Julia lunged forward in their seats at the unexpected movement. The driver shouted out at the horses, and they heard another man’s voice demanding they stop.
Josephine shared a worried frown with Milton before he then cast a look at George. They both quickly reached for the weapons they had brought with them, but before they could reach them, the door to the carriage was jerked open. A masked man poked his head inside. He was holding a pistol.
“I’ll be relieving you of your valuables,” the highway man ordered in a steady tone. “Hand them over and be quick about it.”
Josephine moved closer to Milton and took hold of his arm. His eyes were full of concern. “Milton?” She barely recognized her shaky voice while she trembled in terror as the bandit aimed his pistol at each of the occupants in turn.
Milton scowled before fixing his attention on the robber. “Don’t do anything foolish by shooting anyone. We’ll cooperate,” he said, through clenched teeth.
“Hurry up, then,” the masked man warned. “I can’t stand here waiting all day.”
Josephine watched as Milton handed over a small purse of coins while George did the same. The gunman pointed to the necklace around her neck, and she clasped the gems in her gloved hand.
She cast worried eyes at Milton. “They were a gift from Richard,” she said quietly, hating to part with the memory of when her brother presented them to her on her last birthday.
Milton reached over to unfasten the clasp. “And they can be replaced. You, however, cannot,” he said gently, handing over the expensive jewelry.
The highwayman then turned his gaze toward Julia, but she wasn’t wearing anything costly. His eyes then turned to George.
“I’ll take that ruby stickpin and your ring, my lord,” he declared, pointing the gun at George.
George cursed in outrage but handed over the items. “I’ll be getting these back soon,” he warned in a low tone.
“You can try,” the bandit said, laughing.
“If it makes you feel any better parting with your treasures, you might wish to know your contributions today will go to a good cause. Enjoy the rest of your journey.” He gave them a jaunty salute before slamming the door.
Outside the carriage, he was heard ordering the driver to proceed.
Josephine turned toward the window to witness the bandit disappearing into the woods. “Whatever did he mean, our property is going to a good cause?” she asked when she finally found her voice.
Milton took her hand bringing it up to his lips. “It doesn’t matter. I’m just happy nothing happened to you other than the loss of your necklace.”
George cursed in outrage. “We didn’t even have time to grab our pistols to protect ourselves.”
Julia gave Josephine a worried look. “At least we are unharmed and only lost a few valuables. I have heard rumors that some traveling to Brighton have been killed while resisting their demands.”
Josephine turned to Milton. “Promise me you won’t do anything foolish if this happens to you again. I know you’ll be traveling the roads to reach your country estate once you’ve seen us safely to Julia’s,” she said, nodding toward the weapon next to him.
“Worried for my welfare, my dear?” he asked with a roguish grin.
She gave a little huff. “Well, if I was, I’d never admit it.”
He tipped her chin up again. “You more or less just did, sweet Josie,” he murmured huskily.
Julia cleared her throat, breaking off the contact that made Josephine feel as though they were completely alone.
Perhaps it was for the best, as she mulled over the fact that others had encountered the highwayman on the road to Brighton.
For once, she kept silent, thankful that Milton had been escorting her on their journey.