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Chapter One

Six years earlier…

Haland, 1816

“Good God!”

Miss Daphne Elizabeth Collins whipped her head up, searching for the source of that expression of appalled disbelief The light of the noonday sun valiantly peeking froainst the strong currents of the river while holding onto the wiggling bundle in her arms

“Thank heavens! Don’t just stand there, helprain fell, and thunder ru that more rain was on the horizon

The gentle from his impressive horse and rushed toward the e his breeches, and held out his hands Releasing the jutting bra that he would not allow the river to take her away Dear God, let us be safe soon

He braced hi water He tried to stand, tugging her with hi the slippery slope He slarunt but was of ahis arainst him The feel of his powerfullythrough her veins

She could not have been in the water for more than a few minutes, but she was chilled to her bones Daphne stirred, and her cold nose brushed against his rigid jawline

“I must say, this is not at all proper, is it?” she said into the curve of his neck, conscious of the wonderful heat e from him

With a entlemanlike curse, he pushed her off hiue, and Daphne found herself sprawled indecorously onto rass Her dress was muddied and ruined, her bonnet sat askew atop her head, there was a rip in her stocking, and one of her boots had soled appearance If Papa saw her now, she would have to be the very picture of female respectability and demure modesty before he would allow her to leave her chamber Somehow, she would need to return to Seaview Manor and slip through the kitchens to avoid her father and governess discovering her terribly disheveled state She chuckled softly at the challenge of pulling the wool over the eyes of her very observant and priggish governess

“There is nothing remotely humorous in this situation,” her rescuer said a trifle peevishly

As if to etic and badly trained wolfhound, Gulliver, licked the stranger’s face, yipping and wagging his tail

“I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole,” heto find purchase on the slippery slope as he stood “The day cannot worsen”

Daphne was saved from the necessity of a reply as her puppy bounded over to her and licked along her chin No doubt the wretch was grateful she had juht to save his life

“If you will allow me to assist you, miss?”

She glanced up at one of the entlereen eyes peered down at her with studied seriousness

“Miss Daphne Collins,” she said, reaching for the hand he held out

Once again, he atte down He cursed She laughed It was all remarkably ridiculous

A reluctant sed at his lips “Perhaps if we are very slow and careful”

“I agree, Mister…?”

“Carrington”

She smiled, and they carefully found purchase and made their way up the slope toward the horse The rain fell harder, and a antly embroidered handkerchief rateful for his courteousness “Thank you, Mr Carrington”

“Are you here alone?”

She nodded

“How far do you need to go?”

She swiped several droplets of rain from her face “Seaview Manor, a few uish her ho Gulliver when he fell into the water I was obliged to rescue the sca to scoop him into her arms

The harsh disapproval of her rescuer’s mouth softened as he peered at her puppy “Your actions were foolhardy What if I hadn’t ridden along?”

A lol escaped Gulliver, as if he understood this unknown gentle her reckless bid to save him

“I’ve never been accused of being cowardly, and my little love would have drowned had I not saved hihtful sneeze escaped her into the wonderfully fragranced handkerchief

“Heavier rain is imminent, and we must find shelter Have you ever ridden astride?” he asked

“Yes,” she adh there was one else present to hear her confession of improper behavior

He raceful ease He held out his hand to her, and she blinked before reaching up and allowing him to aid her onto the horse, behind hiainst hirasp, but she held tightly onto hier thundered off

And not in the direction of her home

Unbearable alarrabbed a fistful of his hair and yanked

“Sweet Mercy,” he growled, bringing the horse to a shuddering halt

Daphne pointed left “My hoton I will be forced to do you irreparable harm if you do not take me there at once”

A strangled sound of disbelief emanated from him, and she winced

“It is too far, and ill notto Kellits Hall, which is only a fewas if he wished to throttle her, before once again ur

ging his horse to a careful speed, the rolling hills of the countryside, carpeted with the greenest of grass and bluebells, a blur

“Very well,” she said, trying to s her apprehension

True to his word, they arrived at Kellits Hall a few short minutes later, and he assisted her down

She reflected, not for the first time, on how incredibly handsome he was His hair was as black as coal, and his eyes the darkest green she had ever beheld, like the very grass upon which they stood He was dressed in a brown jacket, a blue waistcoat, and light-colored breeches that disappeared into knee-high riding boots Even his mouth was beautifully shaped She jolted, hts He seemed terribly close, and the need to create a safe distance becaer about him, and perhaps it was overness had warned her to be wary of

She hurried up the steps while he led the horse away, presu a few beats, the cold gust of wind and rain urged her to open the door and step inside The large hallas direeted her In fact, all the furniture had been covered hite sheets, and fine dust was settled on the parquet floor

The door slammed shut, and she slapped a hand over her ton leveled amused eyes upon her person

“It is onlyroom I left a fire there earlier”