Daniel glared out the window, then huffed as he sat back. “Have you gone mad?”
The carriage turned and Mr. Northam disappeared behind the trees. I closed my eyes so Daniel’s sour expression wouldn’t tarnish that final image of Mr. Northam on the step watching me drive away. It was all I had to feed my hope.
“Margaret!”
I peeked at Daniel through half-shut lids. “Shh. I’m dreaming.”
“Dreaming? Of Northam? Or of how it felt to be kissed again?”
I shot up in my seat. “Excuse me?”
“You’re lucky I was the one who discovered you instead of one of the guests or even Mrs. Hickmore. What would you have done then?”
He thought we’d kissed? My face burned. I had not realized Daniel would assume I was so lacking in morals. “He didn’t kiss me.”
“But it was your intention to allow him to, was it not?” His tone turned derisive. “You needn’t have made a fool of yourself. Northam is a rake. If you had asked, he would have given you a good kissing the first night.”
My insides roiled at the suggestion. “I would never permit a man such liberties without being engaged to him.”
“Are you saying you were not about to let him kiss you?” Daniel leaned toward me, emphasizing his point.
I drew back and crossed my arms. “I do not believe it is any of your business what I was or was not going to allow.”
“On this trip you have been my sole matter of business,” he responded through clenched teeth.
I rolled my eyes, but since he had come only because I had wished it, I yielded. “Fine. Yes, I would have allowed Mr. Northam to kiss me, if you hadn’t stridden into the room, in all your holy glory. But only after he’d proposed.”
Daniel’s brows shot up before knitting together with concern. “Northam is not the marrying type. Whatever he said, it wouldn’t have been followed by a proposal. But even if he did propose, I would never permit you to marry him.”
I scoffed, irritated by his assertion. “Fortunately, I am not in need of your permission. Father won’t refuse, not when Mr. Northam is a gentleman.”
“He will once I inform him of Northam’s reputation.”
The restraint on my frustration gave way. “If I do not care about the rumors, I see no reason why they should matter to you! You cannot want me dependent upon you, Daniel. Do you realize how humiliating that would be? And what will become of Alice? My remaining unwed may all but ruin her chances for a good match.”
“Anyone other than Northam, Margaret.”
“At least with Mr. Northam I’ll know what I’m getting. Say what you will, but it would be a fine match for both of us. Mr. Northam is not so wealthy that my dowry would go unappreciated, yet his estate is reputed to be quite breathtaking. He would obtain a wife who would not pester him with romantic sentiments, and I would finally obtain the status of married woman.”
Daniel opened his mouth, closed it, settled back against the seat, and crossed his arms. “He would never love you. You will never be happy without love.” His voice was quiet but certain.
I shifted and stared out the window at the passing meadows of sheep. It was true that marriage to Mr. Northam was the opposite of what I had desired two years earlier, when I had giddily agreed to Edward’s proposal and my family’s expectations of our union. But it was exactly what I wished for now.
Four
The carriage became stuffy and cramped as the hours passed and the sun remained high in the sky. The scene outside stayed nearly unchanged, flashing between sheep, fields nearly ready for harvest, and occasional villages. And still Mr. Northam’s image did not leave my mind.
Suddenly, the carriage jerked and tilted sharply to the side. My hands shot out for balance as our coachman John cried a warning. Daniel’s head slid forward, the pillow he’d propped under his head sliding with him until it slipped and his head whacked against the wall. He bolted upright, only to be thrown back by the carriage’s sudden stop.
“What is going on?” he demanded.
I shook my head in ignorance, straining to keep from sliding out of my seat.
Daniel shuffled along the bench toward the door, but it swung open before he reached the handle. John’s weathered face peeked inside.
“Apologies, master, miss, but the carriage lost a wheel.”
“A wheel? Our carriage has lost a wheel?” Daniel grabbed at the door frame and heaved himself out.
“Yes, sir,” John replied, his voice moving around the back of the carriage. “Not sure how it happened.”
“Hmff.”
“Someone will have to be fetched to fix it,” John continued.
I sighed. If only the wheel had fallen off while we were still at the Hickmores’. I could even now be walking the gardens, my hand on Mr. Northam’s arm, the kiss of his proposal warm on my lips.
“How long will we be delayed?” Daniel asked.
“Hard to say, sir, but I’d expect most of the day.”
Daniel’s face reappeared in the doorway, consternation etched in the lines around his mouth. “We’re going to be here a while. You might as well get out.”
“I would like nothing more.” I clasped his waiting hand and he assisted me down the abnormally large drop to the ground. Placing my hands on my hips, I glanced around. The road was worn but not large. Trees lined one side of the lane, and a wide, open field stretched along the other. It was peaceful.
I frowned. For once, I would exchange a peaceful road for a heavily traveled one if it meant receiving aid and arriving home sooner. “Where are we, John?”
“About three miles east of Welborough, miss.”
Welborough. But that meant—
I grabbed Daniel’s arm. “Daniel, did you hear? We must be very near Rosden!”
“Yes, miss,” John said. “Not but two miles at most.”
“Oh, Daniel, let’s go. I would love to look at the lace. The shops near home never bring in anything near as lovely.”
Daniel’s expression soured. “I have no interest in lace, Margaret.”
“But we have nothing for Alice, and I promised I’d bring her a present. I had planned to find something when Mrs. Hickmore took me to town, but then we left today. I cannot return home without a gift.”
“You and your promises.” But his sternness faltered, undoubtedly from picturing the disappointment on our ten-year-old sister’s face when she realized it was his fault we hadn’t brought her a present.
I narrowed my eyes and waggled my eyebrows. “And I am certain Louisa would adore a lace handkerchief.” Though no announcement had yet been made, Daniel and my best friend were in love, and a general expectation of their union had existed for some time.
His frown deepened. “Fine.”
“You will have to fetch my reticule.” Daniel reached around inside the carriage. “No, Daniel. Right back—no—down there. Yes. Thank you.”
He shoved my reticule into my arms with a grunt. “John, we’ll hire a carriage in Rosden to take us home.”
“Are you sure you’d prefer to walk, miss?” John asked. “You could wait till someone passed by.”