Summers' Embrace Read online

  “It was an arranged marriage.”

  “That’s right. I believe he got the short end of that arrangement. And they were married for how long before you were born?”

  “Fifteen years. And why all the interest in my parents?”

  Joshua shrugged and took another drink of his beverage. “Trying to get you angry enough to get out of this tavern. It is a beautiful day. Let’s go for a ride.”

  “We can’t.”

  “Why?”

  “You know why?”

  “Remind me again.”

  “Because I have to find that idiotic cousin of mine.”

  Joshua raised his chin. “Ah, that’s right. He was caught peeping through the neighbor's window. Watching his daughters dress, I believe.”

  “Allegedly.”

  “Not allegedly. That man is depraved. He was doing the same thing in London, which is why your aunt begged your mother to take him in.”

  “They should have let the bastard get arrested. It would serve him right.”

  “And taint the Winters name? How uncaring you are.” Joshua laughed.

  “It would taint their name. And then I would have to hear complaints from my mother until the end of her days…or mine. I hear enough of her bellyaching over our connections with the St. Johns.”

  “And what is that again?”

  “My mother and Elizabeth St. John are sisters.”

  A knowing smile came to Joshua. “I bet it infuriates her knowing that you and Eli St. John get along fabulously. Or that you and Sir Matthew have sparred a time or two…much to your dismay.”

  “She doesn’t know.”

  “She doesn’t know?! Oh, you have to let me be the one to tell her.”

  “Why am I friends with you, Hawke?”

  Joshua laughed. “Because I know all your dirty little secrets.”

  “I know yours as well, Hawke. Besides, Eli and I do not get along fabulously. We are cordial during our meetings.”

  “But his wife loves you.”

  “His wife is addled.”

  “She is a Hollingsworth,” Joshua said, as if that explained her nature. “I still find it hard to believe that your mother and Elizabeth St. John are sisters. Hell, any of your aunts. Your mother’s family are shrews. Even your uncle is ghastly. Not one of them has an iota of decency or civility in them. Are you certain you are related?”

  “Sometimes, I wonder.” Thomas downed his ale. “Can we discuss something else now? My day is ruined enough without discussing my family.”

  “Very well. Another topic. I will be visiting Eden next month,” Joshua said, speaking of the newest seaside resort. “Care to join me?”

  “Why?”

  Joshua looked around the tavern. “Do you prefer the environment here? Wait! Don’t answer that. You need to come. You have not left London for a holiday since your father’s death nearly seven years ago.”

  “I’m not in London now.”

  Joshua waved away the statement. “This does not count. You need a holiday, and Eden is the perfect location. Numerous taverns and hotels. Refreshingly cool swims in the ocean”—a lecherous grin came to Joshua—“and beautiful women to warm you afterward.”

  “I can’t. I promised my mother I would stay with her until her mourning is over.”

  “Blast it all, Huntsley. You cannot sit here and tell me that you can tolerate your mother’s company for a year.”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “Swindon does not suit you. Come with me.”

  “What about Artie?” Thomas said, referring to one of their companions.

  “He will be there as well.”

  “Then why do you want me to come?”

  “For fun! What else?”

  “My connections.”

  Hawke shrugged. “Those do not hurt either. Say you’ll come with us.”

  “I will think about it.”

  A scowl pulled Hawke’s black brows downward. “So, that’s a no.”

  “I never said that.”

  “No, but every time you say you’ll think about something, you never do it.”

  “Fine. I will consider your request. Is that better?”

  “Not really. But it is a better response. Now, back to our task at hand…are you certain Clayton is here?” Joshua asked, referring to Thomas’s asinine cousin.

  “His horse is tied outside.”

  “He could have left it here and took another.”

  “True, but one of the tenants saw him enter this building.”

  Joshua looked around. “So, do you want to barge in on the upstairs rooms and see if he’s in one or just wait him out? I, for one, vote for the first option. It is a beautiful day, and I do not want to spend the entire time sitting in this dark tavern.”

  “Let’s give him a few more minutes. If he is not down by the time you finish your drink, then we’ll go upstairs.”

  Joshua picked up his tankard and down the remaining ale. Standing, he spoke, “Finished.”

  Before Thomas could respond, footsteps echoed as they descended the steps. Thomas turned and spotted his cousin. Clayton was still in the process of buttoning his coat. When he spotted Thomas and Joshua, he leaped down the remaining stairs and raced out the door.

  “Clayton!” Thomas called after him.

  Thomas and Joshua chased after Clayton. As they exited the door, Clayton went racing past them on his horse. Thomas and Joshua climbed upon their steeds and gave chase.

  Clayton darted down the side roads. Glancing behind him, he could see his cousin after him. Damn! He had hoped not to see Thomas today. The last thing he wanted was to hear his cousin reprimand him over watching the Lathams’ daughters change. What was wrong with it? It’s not like he was actually touching them.

  “Clayton!” he could hear Thomas shout.

  Clayton pulled hard on the horse’s reins, veering left, and jumped a rock fence. As he ran over the meadow, he spotted a woman walking. He needed a safeguard. Needed someone between him and Thomas so he could explain to Thomas how innocent his actions were. If he placed the woman between him and Thomas, then his cousin would surely listen.

  The woman spotted him and moved. He redirected the horse. She moved again. He adjusted again. She screamed and took off running. Why? He was only going to use her as a buffer between him and Thomas.

  “Slow down,” Clayton mumbled as he watched the woman run. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

  The woman did not listen. He reached for her. She stumbled, screamed again, and fell to the ground out of his reach. Damn! He pulled back on the reins, causing his horse to skid to a halt. He turned to return to her but spotted Thomas and Joshua approaching. It was no use. He would never reach the woman before Thomas did. He turned and kicked his horse. Perhaps he could lose them. The bluff by the stream was steep. They would never risk taking their steeds up the hill. It would work. He would lose them and then return to Montgomery House at dark. By that time, Thomas’s temper would have cooled.

  Chapter Two

  Thomas watched in horror as Clayton reached for the woman. She continued to run. The blue skirt she wore was slowing her retreat as it brushed over the thick foliage of the grasses. Clayton leaned forward. If he managed to get her, Clayton would use the woman as leverage against Thomas so that he could get away. Clayton was conniving that way. He would put a buffer between him and Thomas in hopes of cooling Thomas’s temper. Rarely did it work.

  Clayton’s hand was just inches from the woman. She screamed. The breath caught in Thomas’s throat as he watched her tumble to the ground, mere inches from the pounding hooves of Clayton’s horse.

  “Go after him! I’ll check on the lady!" Thomas shouted to Joshua.

  Joshua did not speak as he kicked his roan stallion into a faster gait.

  Thomas pulled back on the reins of his steed, skidding to a stop. He dismounted his horse and approached the woman. Gazing down at the dazed woman on the ground, he forgot his mission. The beauty before him was t
hat of fairytales. Soft brown hair framed her heart-shaped face. Thick lashes fluttered and blue eyes filled with fear gazed up at him. Her full lips were parted as she breathed heavily. She attempted to scurry backward but stopped and grimaced.

  “Are you all right, miss?” Thomas kneeled beside her.

  She kept her focus on him, her eyes still wide.

  “I will not harm you.”

  Catrina looked back over her shoulder.

  “He is gone. My companion is pursuing him. My name is Thomas Summers. What is yours?”

  Catrina looked back at him, uncertainty in her eyes.

  “I will not harm you.” Thomas stood and offered her his hand. “Allow me to assist you up.”

  Catrina looked suspiciously at the handsome man before her. Should she trust him? What other choice did she have? After all, he did chase away the man who was after her. She placed her hand in his, and the strangest sensations coursed through her. Every nerve in her body tingled in a most pleasant way as the man before her easily pulled her from the ground.

  “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure. Now, I will ask again, are you hurt, my lady?”

  Catrina shook her head. “I am fine. Thank you.” She turned to take a step and cried out with pain. Dropping to the ground, she clutched her lower leg.

  Thomas knelt beside her.

  “My ankle,” Catrina said. “I cannot place weight upon it.”

  “Allow me,” Thomas said.

  Catrina shook her head. “It would not be proper.”

  “Then allow me to see you home.” His brow came together as he looked around. “What are you doing here alone?”

  “I am not alone. I was on my way home when my carriage became damaged. I decided to take a walk while waiting for repairs.”

  “I cannot leave you waiting on the side of the road injured. Allow me to take you to my home until your carriage is repaired.”

  “I cannot intrude upon you. Besides, my home is not far. Well, I do not think it is too far. I am terrible with directions. I am always getting lost. Well, not all of the time. Only just some of the time.” She cringed when she realized she was babbling. What was wrong with her? “Anyway, the footman has been instructed to go to my home if he cannot find a wheel for the coach.”

  “Then allow me to take you home.”

  Catrina shook her head. “I cannot ask you to take on such a burden. I do not even know how far my home is.”

  “It will be no trouble, miss…I am sorry, I never got your name.”

  “Catrina Wilcox.”

  The instant her name left her lips, dread entered him. He should have known. Luck was not on his side. Why did one of the most beautiful women he had ever met have to be related to that sod Wilcox?

  “Wilcox. Any relation to Branson Wilcox?”

  “He is my brother. Do you know him?”

  Thomas kept his expression blank. “I do.”

  “Huntsley!” Joshua called.

  Thomas looked past Catrina and spotted his friend returning.

  “Huntsley?” Catrina said. “I thought you said your name was Thomas Summers?”

  “It is. I am Thomas Summers, Viscount of Huntsley.”

  “Oh, I see.” She had heard Elena mention him before. He was a rake and a rogue. Elena had said he was as handsome as sin and that every young maiden should be wary of him. But there was something else Elena had mentioned about him, and for the life of her, Catrina could not remember what it was.

  “Huntsley,” Joshua said, reining in his horse beside Thomas.

  “Well?” Thomas asked, looking at Joshua.

  “He got away.”

  “Damn,” Thomas mumbled.

  “Oh, dear,” Catrina said. “Do you know who he was? I mean, if he tried to take me, then others will be in danger.”

  “Rest easy, Miss Wilcox. We know where to find him.”

  “Wilcox?” Joshua repeated, looking down at her. He looked back at Thomas and gave a questioning glance.

  “Miss Catrina Wilcox, may I introduce you to Joshua Manning, Baron Hawke. Hawke, this is Miss Catrina Wilcox, the sister of Branson Wilcox.”

  Joshua gave a knowing smirk to Thomas. He then turned his attention to Catrina and lowered his head. “Very nice to meet you, Miss Wilcox.”

  “Nice to make your acquaintance as well, Lord Hawke.”

  Catrina studied the Baron. He was quite dashing, as well. Not nearly as handsome as Thomas Summers but attractive nonetheless. He possessed black hair and mesmerizing green eyes. Dark whiskers covered his strong jawline. He was taller than Thomas, and by the straining of his jacket's material, more muscular.

  “I must ask, why are you in a meadow alone?” Joshua questioned.

  “I am on my way home. The carriage wheel broke, and the footman is seeking a repair. I decided to stretch my legs a bit while waiting. Then that horrid man chased me, and I injured my ankle.”

  “You are injured?”

  “Yes. I cannot put any weight upon my right ankle.”

  “Was that your carriage I spotted on my way back here? It was a short distance back.”

  Catrina looked between Thomas and Joshua. “Yes. If one of you would be so kind as to take me back to my carriage, I am certain someone has traveled to my brother’s to notify him of our troubles.”

  “Nonsense!” Joshua said, smiling, a twinkle of mischief in his green eyes. “Why, we were just traveling in the direction of Windy Ridge when we heard your cry for help. Isn’t that right, Huntsley?”

  “No,” Thomas answered.

  “Don’t let him tease you so,” Joshua continued. “Huntsley would be delighted to take you home.”

  “I cannot ask him to do that,” Catrina said, shaking her head.

  “It would be our pleasure,” Joshua said, his irritating grin widening. “You are injured, after all. It would only be the gentlemanly thing to do.”

  “But what about my carriage? Mr. Wilkerson and Miss Whitney will be worried.”

  “Who?”

  “My carriage driver and chaperone.”

  “I will ride back and notify them. I will assure them that Huntsley will see you safely to your brother. And then see if they need any assistance with repairs.”

  Catrina looked at Thomas. “Only if Lord Huntsley agrees.”

  Thomas shot an irritated glance in Joshua’s direction. Leave it to Hawke to purposely place him in direct contact with Wilcox. The same sod who kept harassing his tenants over some nonsense about a tree or some such poppycock. But Thomas knew the truth. It had nothing to do with that tree and all to do with the fact that Wilcox was related to Thomas’s stepfather. If given the opportunity, Thomas would love to plant his fist in Wilcox’s face, but he kept his anger in check.

  “I would be delighted to see you home, Miss Wilcox,” Thomas answered in an irritated growl. He offered her his hand.

  She placed her hand in his and was surprised to have the same sensations as their last touch. Before she could pull her hand away, he released it and took hold of her waist, lifting her onto his saddle, placing her sideways.

  Before she knew what was happening, Thomas had pulled himself up behind her.

  “Lord Huntsley, I appreciate your gesture, but I must protest. This is a highly inappropriate way to ride. With you behind me.”

  “I can assure you, Miss Wilcox, that I do not have a desire to be spotted in this position either. However, your home is five miles from here, and I have no desire to walk that distance.” Before she could respond, he continued. “Hawke, go see about the carriage.”

  Thomas gently tapped the sides of his horse with his heels. The gray dapple stallion snorted and took off in a gentle trot.

  “You do not have to trouble yourself, Lord Huntsley. I can wait at my carriage,” she snapped. The irritated way he offered to take her home was…well…irritating. There was no call to be so rude.

  “No. Despite Hawke’s irritating manner, he is correct. You need medical treatment.”

 
“Then why not let your friend take me?”

  “What?”

  “You obviously have no desire to assist me.”

  “You speak of something you know nothing about.”

  “Then enlighten me.”

  A scowl settled over him. “You will see soon enough. Tell me, Miss Wilcox, why have I not seen you at any of the local social events? Have you been in London?”

  “No, I have been in Reading.”

  “What the bloody hell…I beg your pardon,” he added when he heard her gasp at his profanity. “But why were you in Reading?”

  “Schooling.”

  “Schooling? Why not hire a governess?”

  Catrina shrugged. “Branson said that Miss Eddy was the best.”

  “But why Reading? Governesses usually live with their students.”

  “Miss Eddy has a different type of schooling. She operates out of her home and said it is better for training.”

  Thomas shook his head. “I know very little about governesses. So I will have to take your word on that.”

  “Well, should you have any daughters, do not send them to Miss Eddy’s Training for Proper Young Ladies.”

  “I take it you did not have a pleasant experience.”

  “It was horrid!” she said, tossing her hands in the air. “I’m sorry, that was not very ladylike.”

  Thomas laughed, and it was a warm, pleasant sound.

  “What?” Catrina asked.

  “You do not care to speak your mind, do you?”

  “No, I do not. Wait. I am not supposed to say that, am I?” She closed her eyes. Elena was right. When she did get around men, she did not know how to behave and babbled like an idiot. What was wrong with her? If she kept acting like a babbling, foolish schoolgirl, she would never find a proper suitor of her choosing.

  Thomas laughed again. “I will keep your outspokenness just between us.”

  “Thank you. I fear if my brother learns of my affinity for speaking my mind, he will be upset with me.”

  “We cannot have that, can we?” Thomas replied.

  “So, Lord Huntsley, what brings you to Swindon? I would think London would have more activities this time of year to your liking than boring Swindon.”

  Thomas smiled, but the expression lacked warmth. “Family matters. I hope to return to London by the end of the summer.”