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"Oh no," she breathed "Not the Highwoods" She called after the coach as it ruhwood, wait! Co Don’t leave!"
"They see hiainst his sternuh to leave an i innocent sheep and blowing ruts in our road weren’t enoughwo young ladies--that was his cousin’s specialty--but if he ever decided to take up the sport, he’d e his voice "Really, it was just a little kiss Or is this about your frock?"
His gaze dipped Her frock had caught the worst of their encounter Grass and dirt streaked the yards of shell-pink otten handkerchief Her neckline had likewise strayed He wondered if she knew her left breast was one exhortation away froether He wondered if he should stop staring at it
No, he decided He would do her a favor by staring at it, calling her attention to what needed to be repaired Indeed Staring at her half-exposed, emotion-flushed breast was his solemn duty, and Bram was never one to shirk responsibility
"Ahe his mission
"It’s not about e was vulnerable and in need of help, and" She blew out a breath, lifting the stray wisps of hair froone" She looked hiht? Supplies? Directions to the hfare? Just tell me what you need to be on your way, and I will happily supply it"
"We won’t put you to any such trouble So long as this is the road to Summerfield, we’ll--"
"Suuely, he understood that she was vexed with him, and that he probably deserved it But da himself to feel sorry Her fluster was fiercely attractive The way her freckles bunched as she frowned at hiation of her pale, slender neck as she stood straight in challenge
She was tall for a woman He liked his women tall
"I did say Summerfield," he replied "That is the residence of Sir Lewis Finch, is it not?"
Her brow creased "What business do you have with Sir Lewis Finch?"
"Men’s business, love The specifics needn’t concern you"
"Summerfield is my home," she said "And Sir Lewis Finch is my father So yes, Lieutenant Colonel Victor Bramwell"--she fired each word as a separate shot--"you concern me"
"Victor Bramwell It is you"
Sir Lewis Finch rose froer strides When Braesture Instead, he took Braht hand in both of his and puood to see you Last we e"
"It has been a long time, hasn’t it?"
"I was sorry to hear of your father’s passing"
"Thank you" Bram cleared his throat aardly "So was I"
He sized up the graying eccentric for any signs of displeasure Sir Lewis Finch was not only a brilliant inventor, but he’d become a royal advisor He was said to have the ear of the Prince Regent hiht word froiment next week
And idiot that he was, Bra theher without leave As strategic cans went, this one would not be medal-worthy Fortunately, Sir Lewis seeled state on their arrival But Bram had best conclude this interview before Miss Finch returned and had a chance to relate the tale
He couldn’t be faulted for notthe connection Save for the blue eyes they shared, she could not have been more different from her father Miss Finch was slender and remarkably tall for a woman By contrast, Sir Leas thick in thewisps of silver hair would scarcely brush Braed
Bram tried not to betray much visible relief as he sank into a studded leather chair When Sir Lewis handed hi sips
As he drank, he studied his surroundings The library was unlike any gentleman’s library he’d ever seen Naturally, there was a desk A few chairs Books, of course Whole walls of theany bookshelves The shelves theyptian motifs Some resembled stalks of papyrus Others were carved into the shape of pharaohs and queens And to one side of the roo most of the open space, sat an enormous coffin of solid, cream-colored stone Its surface was etched, inside and out, with row upon row of tiny symbols
"Is that us, froet his name at the moment I have it somewhere"
"And the inscriptions?"
"Hexes on the outside On the interior, directions to the underworld" The old man’s hoary eyebrows rose "You can have a lie-down in the thing, if you like Good for the spine"
"Thank you, no" Bram shuddered
Sir Lewis clapped his hands "Well, I don’t suppose you’ve brought tagons through eight turnpikes just to discuss antiquities over a fine whiskey"
"You know I haven’t Idle chatter isn’t my purpose, ever But I will take the whiskey"
"And dinner later, I hope Susanna will have already informed the cook"
Susanna So, her name was Susanna
The name suited her Simple, pretty
Susanna Susanna Finch