Chapter Two
Fat snowflakes had begun to fall by the time Allegra left her brother’s house.
However, she was warm in her winter garments, and their butler had summoned a carriage, which could be heard easily as it approached down emptying streets. Apparently, most people had taken a look at the heavy skies and decided to travel before the storm reached town.
So she stood at the bottom of the steps, with Jeremy keeping an eye on her from his front door as the sound of hooves drew closer.
It resolved itself into a black carriage drawn by two equally black horses.
Fortunately, it was enclosed, so she’d have a warm trip for the few minutes it would take to reach home.
Clutching her bag, still containing the gown and slippers Susan had refused because they were almost new and in the height of fashion, Allegra made her way to the edge of the pavement. The vehicle came to a halt directly in front of her; the door swinging open as if propelled by a sudden stop.
A gust of wind to the face, sharp and full of snow, caught her by surprise, and she shook her head, trying to blink icy flakes from her eyes as she struggled up inside.
She almost stumbled, but found the seat and grabbed it, sitting down with a bump as the door slammed shut and the horses moved off.
“Ooof.” She pushed her hair and bonnet away from her face…and nearly screamed.
There was a man seated across from her, his eyes wide in surprise.
“You?”
“What the…”
Allegra’s voice failed her as she stared into the face of the one man she had managed to avoid for the past few years.
“This is my carriage. What the hell are you doing getting into it?” Sir Oliver Bennett’s tone was as icy cold as it had been the last time they spoke.
Her chin went up. “I ordered a carriage to take me home. This one, yours apparently, stopped right at my feet, for God’s sake. I assumed it was for me.” She narrowed her eyes. “You will instruct your coachman to deliver me to Carruthers House?”
He looked away for a moment or two, then frowned. “Well…”
“Well what, sir?”
“It seems I can’t.”
“You can’t?”
“Can’t speak to the coachman.”
“Why on earth not?”
“Because, Miss Carruthers, this is not my carriage. It belongs to…er…actually I’m not sure who it belongs to. But ownership aside, the driver refuses to respond when I tap on the roof.”
Disbelieving, Allegra watched his face and couldn’t miss the slight look of concern. Her eyes shot to the doors and windows.
There were no interior handles.
“I don’t understand, but I suppose it would be too much for me to request an explanation.” She managed to restrain a haughty sniff, since she was now three years older than the last time they’d met.
“What I don’t understand is why the devil he stopped for you.” Oliver glared. “Of all the women in London…”
She straightened her shoulders. “I can assure you this particular incident is none of my doing, sir. There are many places I’d rather be right at this moment, other than here. All of them a great deal more pleasant.” She turned and jiggled the window just in case it might decide to open for her.
“Still the same sharp tongue, I see.” His expression didn’t change.
“And I note you still possess the same arrogant attitude.”
Refusing to honour him with a glance, she stared out into the snowy dusk. “My parents will doubtless be concerned. Thus, I expect you to have a suitable explanation for this absurd nonsense when we arrive at my home.”
“Good God, woman. Have you no understanding of the situation?” He sighed loudly. “Let me explain this in simple words that hopefully you will comprehend. This carriage is taking me on an excursion to view a collectible that is of interest to me. It was sent to my residence for that purpose only.”
Her head snapped back as she frowned at his statement. “Then why on earth did it stop for me? Why did it even go that way if you’ve another destination?”
He looked down for a moment. “I don’t know.”
“Hah.” She snorted and settled herself and her bag. “Well then.”
“Well what?”
Allegra met his gaze and briefly lost herself in those well-remembered blue eyes. Several years might have passed since their first meeting, but apparently she still had an affinity for men who looked at her in a way that could reach inside her and do odd things to her innards.
“It would appear you are the victim of some sort of hoax, then, Sir Oliver. For why on earth such a strange carriage should be sent to collect you, I cannot even begin to imagine.” She blinked. “Oh…is it possible you’re being kidnapped?”
He shot her a look of disgust. “No, of course not. Don’t be absurd. I see you’ve still retained your ability to create drama where none exists.”
“And I see you are still as pompous as ever,” she retorted. “Some things never change, do they?” She raised her chin, determined not to buckle under his sober countenance and sharp reprimands. “The same reason that doomed any kind of match between us, if I recall correctly.”
His coat rose and fell over his chest as he took a deep breath.
“I would have hoped, Miss Carruthers, that you might have acquired some measure of elegance over the years. I see I was wrong. You are still the headstrong, nonsensical girl you were three years ago. Whatever the reason that my suit was turned away, I can only say that it was a fortunate occurrence.”
That stung, and Allegra had to swallow down a little bolt of irritation mixed with a smidgen of regret. In spite of everything, he was a very handsome man, even though he was looking at her as if she was an annoying insect.
“In that we agree, sir.” She kept her voice level.
“However, it has scant bearing on our current predicament.” She looked out the window once again.
“We are both trapped in here, it would seem. Travelling who knows where, in a growing snowstorm, to some destination I am unaware of. And I repeat…this carriage is totally without any kind of door handles or windows that open. You cannot possibly blame me for being somewhat concerned?”
She had a point.
Oliver had been astounded when she launched herself into the carriage, and even more confused when the vehicle took off with the both of them inside.
Had he noticed the lack of handles? Not for a while, if he was honest with himself. And when the driver had failed to respond to his tap on the roof, he’d realised that this was no ordinary ride.
However, something inside him responded with curiosity about the situation.
Why was this happening? And who was behind it?
He was determined to find out and travel this journey to its destination.
He’d not anticipated having company, however, especially that of the young woman who had refused his offer of marriage several years before.
Pert chit had spun some tale about their unsuitability, and persuaded her family to believe it, even though their mothers had had much to do with it behind the scenes.
The fact that a handsome and eligible gentleman connected to a very highly placed member of the aristocracy was flirting with her at the time possibly had something to do with it.
Oliver had thought, glumly, that he couldn’t compete with a Byronic-styled lad who had abundant charm for the ladies and a Duke for an uncle.
Did he feel triumphant when he learned she’d not received an offer from him? Probably. Just a little. But time passed, his mama went to her just reward, and he found his memories of that whole episode weakening.
Except in his damn dreams.
“Well?” She stared at him.
Struggling to recall her question, he shrugged.
“Your statements are all correct, Miss Carruthers. Yes, it took but a few minutes for me to realise the oddness of our conveyance. But then I had to wonder as to its purpose? I doubt anyone is out to do me harm. As you pointed out when last we met, I’m rather boring. ”
She had the grace to blush.
“And if I’m to be held for ransom, I cannot think of anyone the kidnappers would apply to for funds to save me.
” He shifted on the squabs. “No, I hold that this just happens to be a strange carriage sent to take me to a place called the Craddock Inn. It was commanded, allegedly, by a man I’ve known for some time, and who has alerted me to the possibility of adding to my collection. A unique treasure, I think he said.”
“Is it still snuffboxes?”
He wasn’t sure, but there might have been a slight smile curving those ripe lips. “Indeed.”
Silence fell, broken only by the muffled sound of the horses’ hooves as they moved steadily along the snow-covered road.
“Do you still have that beautiful enamel one with the shepherdess and the dog?”
Oliver raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Yes, yes I do.” Then a memory flashed back into his mind. “You liked that one very much, didn’t you?”
He couldn’t entirely tell if the colour rose in her cheeks, but she quite failed to meet his eyes as she nodded. “Yes. It was most attractive.”
He’d kissed her. As she took that snuffbox and gazed at it with awe and appreciation, something inside him had shifted, changed. And he’d taken advantage of her preoccupation to lean over and drop a kiss on her ripe lips.
“It was indeed,” he murmured. “Very attractive.”
The carriage rolled and jerked, making Allegra reach for her bag as it threatened to fly off the seat beside her.
“You seem to be carrying quite a bit of luggage, Miss Carruthers. Might I inquire as to the contents of your bag?”
“Why?” Her gaze shot back to him.
“Merely making conversation,” he answered.
“If you must know, I took some gowns to my sister-in-law. She is in the family way at the moment, but they might be of use after the babe arrives.”
“Of course. Your brother Jeremy. I am glad to hear he’s happily wed.”
“Thank you.” This time, it was definitely a smile. “He and Susan are indeed very happy together. But there was one gown she refused to take, so I’m bringing it back with me.”
As if her words recalled her to their situation, her eyes widened. “Oh heavens. My family. They are going to be throwing a fit of anger at me…”
Oliver watched the practicalities dawn on her face.
“I’m supposed to be home for an early dinner. We’re to leave tomorrow for Twelve Trees.” She sighed. “Mama will never forgive me.”
He managed to repress a grin, wondering why he was not in the least bit concerned about their present adventure. Somehow, being reunited this way with Miss Carruthers, was turning out to be much more delightful than he’d anticipated. “Mr Bertram Guillemott, I assume?”
Her mouth turned down. “How did you ever guess?”
“Definitely not the man for you.”
“Precisely what I was saying to Mama. Those exact words.”
Her determined nod sent those alluring curls rippling around her face in the way he recalled quite clearly. “So, in fact, this little unexpected journey might prove to be a blessing in disguise?”
“I don’t really know.” She bit her lip for a moment.
“I should be concerned.” She looked at him.
“You should be concerned. Here we are, stuck together, alone, in a-a locked carriage, bound for who knows where.” She held up a hand.
“All right, you said the Craddock Inn, which I’ve never heard of, and could be all the way to Cornwall for what we know.
But in spite of all that, I’m not experiencing any need to faint or have an attack of the vapours. ”
“For which I’m eternally grateful,” he commented. “And for your information, I’m fairly certain the Craddock Inn is on the outskirts of London, not Cornwall.”
“You’re not worried, either, are you?”
He took a moment to think about it. “Oddly enough, no. And I too have no earthly idea why not.”
They stared at each other in the dim light. Then Allegra sighed.
“This is one of those moments when I could really use a sherry.”