Never Turn Away (Kellington Book Six) (10 page)

She heard a loud crack, but didn’t know from whence
it came.  Then there was a thundering noise and her horse reared.  Suddenly,
she was swept off her horse into Joseph’s arms, as Rocinante smartly stepped to
the side right before a towering tree fell beside them.  Her own horse had
reared, then leapt freely away.

Evelyn could hardly breathe from fright, not to
mention how tightly Joseph held her.  She was relieved to see her horse several
feet away, unharmed but terrified.  She knew how the mare felt.  And she could
feel Joseph’s heart beating frantically.  Only Rocinante was calm.

They sat for a moment like that: Evelyn held
securely against Joseph with her arms around his neck, Rocinante perfectly
still beneath them.

Then, as if finding his voice for the first time,
Joseph drew back to study her.  “Are you hurt, Evelyn?”

“No.  Just frightened.  But if you had not…I mean.” 
She tried to draw a calming breath.  “You saved my life.”

He had no response.   With words failing him, he
kissed her.  Hungrily.  Greedily.  As if by kissing her, he could reverse time
and prevent the tree from falling.

She was overwhelmed by the sensation.  His firm lips
on hers, probing, melding.  His tongue met hers and for a moment she was unsure
what to do.  She’d been kissed before, but her lips had never parted.   This
was new.  This was sublime.  It filled her with heat.

And hunger.

Her hip was wedged against him and she could feel
how hard he was.  She had never known anything like it.  She pressed against
him gently, only to be rewarded with a groan and his deepening the kiss.  He
kept her held against him securely with one hand, and with the other he  gently
squeezed her breast.

She gasped and deepened the kiss.

Rocinante sidled, and Joseph pulled back.  She tried
to pull him back to her, but he whispered “Dodson is on his way back.”

“Drat!”

“My thoughts exactly, though not quite the
wording.”  He tried to put a bit more space between them. 

Evelyn felt every inch of the loss.

“I must dismount for a moment,” he said.  “I would
like to check something.”

He brought one leg over Rocinante’s neck, then slid
to the ground, taking Evelyn with him.  He only reluctantly lowered her feet to
the ground, but held on to her arms until he was sure she was steady.

Then he walked to the base of the large tree that
had fallen.

“What are you looking for?” she asked, surprised the
kiss had not robbed her of the power of speech.  “Because of the heavy snow, a
few trees fall every winter.  I should have thought of that before agreeing to
ride this way, but…”

“But you wished our outing would end as soon as
possible?  I could not have agreed more.  Look at this,” he said, pointing to
the base of the tree.  “It appears that someone sawed about halfway into this
tree.  It was only a matter of time before it fell.”

“That is unusual,” said Evelyn.

“Or perhaps not.”  His gaze was on her, oddly
intent.  “What would happen to your land and fortune if you died?”

“It would revert to my cousin.  But surely you do
not believe anyone tried to kill me?  That tree could have fallen at any time. 
How could a person plan for it to happen just as I was passing by?”

“Perhaps your cousin has an accomplice.”

“What, ho!” said Dodson, as he returned.  “I’ve been
waiting for you above a quarter of an hour.  I know Stapleton doesn’t ride
well, but, Evelyn, my dear, you’re going quite slowly.”  Then, after surveying
the scene, he added, “Is something amiss?”

“A tree fell into the clearing, almost crushing Lady
Evelyn.  Did you not hear it?”

“I cannot say that I did.  Once I start thinking
about my work, I’m lost to the world.  But, Evelyn, you are not harmed, are
you?  That would be terrible luck, what with the assembly tonight.”

“No, I am quite unharmed, thanks to Inspector
Stapleton.”

“Well, it is his job, after all.  Now, have I ever
told you about the commendation I received about my treatise on the flora and
fauna of the North Pole?”

“Dodson,” said Joseph.  “When was the last time you
were in London?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“Suffice it to say I have a reason.  When was it?”

“I was there last week on a visit to the Zoological
Society.  I presented the most fascinating…”

“And where were you just a moment ago?”

“I told you.  I had ridden on ahead and was waiting
for the pair of you.  I do not like your tone, Stapleton.”

“And I do not like how close Lady Evelyn came to
being killed.  Someone cut into that tree.”

It took a moment for the accusation to register with
Dodson.  “You do not think I had anything to do with it?”

“I do not know what to think.”

“But I was in the exact opposite direction.”

“Were you?”

“I give you my word.  That should be more than
enough.  Do you think I doubled back, sawed through the tree, then waited for
the exact right moment to push it the rest of the way over?  That is
preposterous.”

Joseph studied the professor for a moment, his face
giving no clue to his thoughts.  Finally, he said, “We should return to Lady
Evelyn’s.”

“And I shall take this opportunity to expound on my
theories about the flora and fauna of the North Pole.”

“Mr. Dodson,” said Evelyn, wearily.  “It has been a
long day.”  Though they had only been gone from the house not quite an hour. 
“I should like to travel back to the house in silence.”

“But my theory is most interesting.”

“In silence,” repeated Evelyn. 

Dodson puffed himself up.  “Well, I certainly would
not wish to insert myself where I am not wanted.”  Then he waited for the
protests ensuring him he was certainly wanted.

They did not come.

There was nothing to it then but for them to
depart.  “I shall ride on ahead to tell Thompson you are overset, Evelyn. 
Perhaps you will feel less hysterical when you are back home.”

“Only if you aren’t there,” she said quietly enough
so that only Joseph could hear.

“Off you go, Dodson,” said Joseph.  “I shall see to
Lady Evelyn.”

When the man was finally on his way, Joseph took
Evelyn’s hand.  “Do you wish to remain here for a few more moments or go back?”

“I am ready to ride again.  I would not mind
relaxing in a nice hot bath as soon as I return home.”

He nodded, then effortlessly lifted her to her
saddle.  Which discomposed her almost as much as nearly being hit by the tree. 
But in a much nicer manner.

By the time she reached her home, she’d mostly
recovered from the shock of the falling tree.  But she was beginning to think
it would take her quite some time to recover from the touch of Joseph
Stapleton.

CHAPTER TEN

There was something about the accident that didn’t
sit right with Joseph, but he couldn’t come up with an adequate explanation. 
There were easier ways to injure or kill someone than sawing halfway through a
tree then waiting for your prey to make her way through the woods.  Dodson – or
whomever – would have had to have been waiting beside the tree.  And it was
true that he had come from a different direction when he returned.

Dodson also didn’t seem the type to actually do the
labor required to make such a feat happen, though he could have hired someone
to do it.  Was he in league with Evelyn’s cousin?  Perhaps a deal had been
struck where the earl would split the inheritance with an accomplice.

But for that matter, the accomplice could have been
anyone, including Smithton and Kensington, both of whom they’d passed on the
road back to Evelyn’s. 

There was the possibility that someone had simply
tried to fell the tree some days or weeks earlier, then given up.  The tree
could have fallen today by sheer coincidence.  But Stapleton did not like
coincidences.

After returning to the house, Evelyn disappeared
into her suite to take her bath.  That was an image best not dwelled upon.  Joseph
decided to use the time to send letters to Lynwood, Riverton and his sergeant,
Ambrose Fisk, informing them of the latest development.  If it even was a
development.

He was doing a terrible job at both of his tasks: 
keeping Evelyn safe and vetting her potential husbands.  He’d been so glad to
be rid of Dodson that he’d almost allowed a tree to fall on Evelyn.  

That was hardly keeping her safe.

As for vetting her potential husbands, he was
beginning to get a distinct dog in the manger feeling about himself.

None of the three men he’d met were good enough for
her.  But while the selection of eligible gentlemen in London was larger, he
doubted he would approve of any of those candidates, either, simply because he
thought no man was good enough for her.

Yet he could hardly wish to see her lose her land
and fortune.

The more vexing issue was that the only man he
wanted her to marry was him.  Which was ridiculous in so many ways.  He did not
begin to deserve her, yet he recognized her for the treasure she was and, in
his own way, would treat her accordingly.  He did not give a whit for her land
or blunt.  He would feel this way if she were an orange seller. 

If only she were that instead of an heiress.

He’d never thought he would marry because of his
profession.  But if she were of his class, he would find a way to make it work. 
And he could not help but think that with the right wife awaiting him at home,
the burdens which were so heavy at work – the atrocities he witnessed – could
somehow be made bearable. 

He had watched each of the Kellingtons find true
love and marry.  He’d envied them.  And now he did so, even more.  Because
there was no way a union with Evelyn was possible.  She was too far above his
reach.

But he would make the most of the time he spent with
her.

As he dressed for the assembly, he took special care
to look his very best.  He’d considered wearing the evening clothes he’d
brought for his upcoming trip to Lynwood Manor for Christmas.  But after
consulting with Thompson, he did not want to be overdressed.  Just about every family
in the county would be attending the assembly, with all manner of dress, from
Sunday best to gowns purchased in London.  But he did not want to put on airs. 
He was a working man from London.  He did not belong in the finery of the
ton.

But he would look his best for who he was.  For
Evelyn.

After checking his appearance a final time, he left
his room, then walked to Lady Evelyn’s chamber and knocked. 

It was opened by the lady herself.  She was dressed
informally by
ton
standards, wearing a dark green washed silk gown with
red velvet trim.  Her hair was simply styled, with most of it artfully arranged
in a low bun at the back of her neck, but with long curls escaping down, as if
they could not resist the temptation of touching her shoulders.

Joseph could hardly blame them, since he longed to
do the same thing.  Their searing kiss from that afternoon was burned into his
memory.  He suspected it always would be.  And now that he saw her, he wanted
nothing more than to kiss her once again.

Instead, he took a deep breath and smiled.  “You
look beautiful.”

“So do you,” she said, then blushed.  “I suppose
‘beautiful’ is not the term I am looking for.  But you do look quite handsome. 
And…I should probably stop speaking now, lest I embarrass myself again.”

“I assure you I do not mind.”

“Yet, I would rather keep my blushes to a minimum.”

“What a pity, since I have not yet given you something
to blush about.”

“I blush just to think that is true.”  She cleared
her throat.  “I believe the carriage awaits.”

*                    *                    *

The coach ride to the assembly was quick, with the
servants following along in another coach and a wagon behind them.  Sconces had
been placed on the grounds of the modest assembly hall, giving an ethereal
light to the cold winter night.  The room itself was decorated with greenery,
complemented by the holiday gowns of the ladies in attendance.  Even those of
lesser means had taken the time to add a touch of Christmas with sprigs of
holly pinned to their gowns.   The small orchestra was playing Christmas songs
with great enthusiasm.

Joseph was proud to enter the assembly with Evelyn
on his arm.  While he knew he was still on duty, he could not help but be
caught up in the festive spirit. 

“Christmas is my favorite time of year,” she said. 
“And this assembly is a highlight for everyone in the county.”

“I can understand why you would look forward to it,”
he said, as he carefully escorted her through the excited crowd.

“How do you usually spend the holiday?”

“I usually work the day to give the other men more
time with their families.”

“That is very kind of you.  But I have to imagine it
can be lonely.”

“It can be.  But I am invariably busy on that day,
which helps keep my mind off what I am missing.”

“How will you spend the holiday this year?”

“The new Duchess of Lynwood has invited me to come
to their estate.  I would never want to encroach on them so soon after the
wedding, but the entire family will be there, as well.  And I am given to
understand my attendance is not what one would call optional.”

She must have picked up on the wistful tone in his
voice.  The one he thought he’d hidden.  For she said, “You do not wish to go?”

“It isn’t that.  I like the Kellingtons very much. 
They are as close to family as anything I have.  And it will be nice to be away
from Bow Street duties on that day.  It is just….” 

“It is just what?” asked Evelyn.

He turned back to her.  “It is just that sometimes
you can feel the lack of family most acutely when in the midst of someone
else’s.  I know it sounds ungrateful of me, for I am touched to be included. 
But at the end of the night, they will all retire with their wives and I will
be on my own.”  He looked at the others in the room.  He hadn’t meant to say so
much.

“I understand more than you could possibly know.  I
always give my servants the day off.  Many of them have family in the village
and no one should have to work on Christmas.  Though, of course, Cook always
manages to disregard the order and never fails to have a lovely meal prepared
for me and any servants who stay in the house.  We all attend church in the morning
together, but as they go off to their separate lives and I to my library, I
cannot help wishing there was someone I could spend the day with, as well.”

“Perhaps this directive for you to marry will not be
so bad, after all.”

“It would be lovely if that were true.  But the only
thing that would make me feel worse than being alone on Christmas would be to
share the day with someone in a loveless marriage.”

There was a real sadness in her eyes that Joseph
knew only too well.  “Evelyn,” he said, as he moved closer to her.

“Evelyn!” said Kensington, the blasted squire’s
son.  “How splendid you look tonight.  I do love dressing up for Christmas,
though I could not decide which waistcoat to wear and was late because of it. 
I hope you were not waiting for me long.”

“We have only just arrived,” she said with a slight
smile.

“Good.  Did I make the right choice, do you think? 
I could not decide between the silver embroidered with red and green or the
gold sewn with green triangles.”

Joseph could not imagine anything uglier than the
gold with green triangles that he was wearing.  But knowing what he did of the
man, he imagined the silver was something best burnt in a rag pile, as well. 
Evelyn, however, was much more charitable.

“I believe, Mr. Kensington, that it is not what we
wear, but how much we enjoy the night that matters the most.”

“How wise you are.  Though one day I hope to show
you my entire collection of waistcoats.  Ah, it appears the first dance is
about to begin and you did promise it to me.”  He held out his arm and Evelyn
placed her hand on it.

Joseph wanted to snatch it away.  But in the end all
he could do was watch as she stepped into the dance with the bumpkin.

*                    *                * 

Evelyn knew it was the height of bad form to think
of one man while dancing with another.  But then Kensington stepped on her foot
and she didn’t feel quite so guilty.  Her heart had ached for Joseph as he told
her of his loneliness, something she understood all too well.  If only they
could be there for each other on this Christmas and all the ones to come. 

“Dare I hope I have put that smile on your face,
Evelyn?”

“Who could possibly not be smiling at such a lovely
assembly, sir?”  She really had to discourage his suit sooner rather than
later.  “How is your family?”

“Mama was quite beside herself because my sisters
couldn’t decide what to wear.  Father and I spent the time in the library with brandy. 
I would have been happy enough had my sisters kept us waiting another hour.  It
is quite warm in here.  Next year they should limit the number of people who
are allowed to attend.”

“But this is a celebration for the entire village. 
Surely we cannot deprive anyone of the joys of being here.”

“I think we probably could if we planned accordingly. 
Shall we step outside for some cool air?”

Evelyn’s mind had been so far from her partner that
she hadn’t realized until that moment that he’d very neatly maneuvered them to
the French doors that opened out into the back garden.  She was about to
protest when a deep voice spoke up.

“Good evening, Kensington,” said Joseph.  “We did
not get the chance to speak earlier.”

Kensington bristled.  Perhaps it was because of the
interruption.  Perhaps it was because he had to tilt his head back to look
Joseph in the eye.  And not just a little bit.  “You are disturbing our dance.”

“But it appears you have stopped dancing.  Indeed,
it seemed like you were going to escort Lady Evelyn outside.”

“Regardless of how it seems, I cannot think how it
is any business of yours.”

Evelyn took that opportunity to extricate herself
from Kensington’s grasp.  “It appears the song is ending.  Thank you, Mr.
Kensington, for the dance.”  She smiled at him while offering her arm to Joseph,
who took the opportunity to escort her away from a fuming Kensington.

“I hope you do not mind my interference.  It looked
like he was trying to take you outside.”

“And why would you have objected?” she asked, hoping
he might give some indication of jealousy.

“Because I would not have wanted you to catch the
ague, of course,” he said with a half smile.  “It is quite cold outside.”

Drat the man and his practical thinking.

For the next hour, Evelyn danced at each
opportunity.  The assembly was known for treating everyone as equals, though no
one quite did that with the squire’s family.  But Evelyn took joy in partnering
with the blacksmith, the rector, several of her farmers and Thompson.

At the same time, she kept a close eye on Joseph,
who was proving to be quite popular with the village women.  Mrs. Trowbridge,
with Anna and Merida in tow, took every opportunity to corner Joseph, singing
the praises of her daughters. 

The girls both looked quite pretty and Evelyn could
not like how Joseph seemed to enjoy dancing with each of them – twice.  Mrs.
Trowbridge would surely have tried for a scandalous third pairing, except it
seemed every other mama with an eligible daughter had also discovered the
handsome visitor.