Cards & Caravans by Cindy Spencer Pape Read Free Book Online

west?” she called.
    “Kay’s Tower is east,” he replied. “Maybe thirty miles, then another five north.”
    “You’re sure about this?”
    “I am,” he replied with no trace of hesitation.
    Trust him , Linnie .
    Oh, blast it, even her dead husband agreed with the man. Who was she to argue with that? Slowly, mindful that the rain made the roadway slick, she turned the wagon to the right. The wheels slipped a bit, and Belinda let out a long breath when the caravan began once again chugging forward. Toward the rail station, or toward Connor’s home? And his wife? She wished that thought hadn’t occurred to her.
    He’s not married . Leastways , I don’t think so . I can only pick up a few of his thoughts , enough to know he’s honorable and able to defend you if needed .
    Thank you , Micah . It was disconcerting to talk to him in her head, but she didn’t want Connor to overhear. Do you know if the squire and his men are following us ?
    I’m sure they are , Micah replied. Soon , if not yet . But I can’t see anything more than a few hundred yards away from you .
    And you’ve been near me all along ? She thought about the nights when she could have sworn she almost felt him beside her in the bed, only to open her eyes and find it empty. Had he actually been there?
    Not all the time , but in and out , yes . My presence here is weakening , however . Once you’re past this crisis , I suspect you’ll be on your own . But you can do it . You’re a strong woman , Linnie , but that’s no reason for you to be alone the rest of your life .
    I’m almost thirty , barren and a Rom . Not exactly prime marriage material .
    Lassie , you’d be surprised . I’m not the only man who’ll see past your ancestry . Affectionate laughter laced his tone.
    “Does the house belong to you, or were you a tenant?” Connor asked as they chugged along.
    “It’s mine,” she said. “My husband was a gentleman farmer—it belonged to his grandparents. I hope the townsfolk don’t burn it down or tear it down.” It was a good house. Someone should live there and love it. Just not Belinda.
    “You don’t have any children?”
    “No.” That came out sharper than Belinda would have liked. “We were never blessed.” It had been the one great sadness in their marriage. They’d both wanted a family so badly, but she’d never conceived. In truth, that was part of why she’d married Micah. She wanted to be settled somewhere, with a good man and a houseful of children. She’d loved him, in a quiet, affectionate way, and he’d loved her.
    “I’m sorry.”
    Belinda sighed. Even this stranger picked up on her deficiency. Fabulous.
    After another half an hour of travel, they passed a small village. Belinda almost forgot to breathe as they drove through. As late as it was, the High Street was deserted, and if a few people opened their curtains and pointed at the wagon, she pretended not to notice. All she cared was that there was no squire with his outriders, waiting to stop them.
    “The next town’s maybe five miles. That’s what, another half hour at this speed?”
    “Thereabouts.” From what her grandfather had said, the machine could do fifteen miles per hour in good weather and daylight, but only about ten in these conditions.
    “We’ll stop there for more coal and water, if you think it’s safe.” She noticed his burr had thickened as they traveled—he was clearly Scottish, though he’d likely been educated in England.
    “Aye.” Had she really said that? Heavens, she’d lived in Scotland so long she was starting to sound like a native herself.
    “Were you born here in Scotland, or on the Continent?” he asked a few minutes later. Clearly the man didn’t have the knack of keeping quiet for long.
    “Wales, actually. I’ve traveled across Europe, but mostly here in Britain. I’ve lived on the farm for nearly ten years.”
    “You were an infant bride?” He sounded genuinely shocked, and she couldn’t help a