Cards & Caravans by Cindy Spencer Pape Read Free Book Online Page B

friends over near Bellston. How he gets it to the island is his problem.”
    The sergeant eyed Connor grimly. “Who are you? You don’t look like gentry.” He raked his eyes over Connor’s filthy face and shirt.
    “Sir Thomas Hadrian,” he replied, shamelessly stealing his best friend’s name along with his appearance. “And you’d be filthy too in this thing.”
    The major grunted. “We’re searching for a fugitive, Sir Thomas. Have you seen a woman, fleeing on foot or horseback along this road?”
    “Not a soul out and about but me,” Connor said. “Wouldn’t expect a woman alone could get too far in this. Might want to check that inn I passed a few miles back.”
    “We already have,” the sergeant growled. “You sure she didn’t sneak on board with you?”
    Connor snorted. “My stallion is in the back. I assure you, he’d have let me know quite loudly if anyone had invaded his territory.” Which would have been true if Mephistopheles was really here. “Now if you don’t mind, I’m expected to have this ridiculous thing to Kay’s Tower by first light. Happy hunting.”
    Sergeant Mustachio looked like he wanted to argue, but the major held up a hand, sending Connor on his way.
    Nodding farewell, Connor cranked up the window and eased the throttle forward, setting the wagon in motion again. The horsemen moved around him, maintaining their soggy vigil on the road.
    “We may not wish to stop at the next tavern,” he said as Belinda returned to the front. “I’ll shovel some more coal, but when we reach the edge of the next town, we’ll switch again. They may have warned someone to be on watch.”
    “Thank you.” She slid in front of him to take the controls. For just a moment, the tight confines pushed her pert backside into his groin.
    Connor wondered if the bed in the back was big enough for someone his size, and sturdy enough for active sport.
    No . He couldn’t take advantage of a woman running for her life. Hurriedly, he left to add coal to the boiler.
    They passed through two more towns without incident but Connor noted watchers at the edge of each settlement. By the third, they were nearly out of coal and water for the boiler.
    He went back into the driver’s compartment to talk to Belinda. “We need to stop at the next inn.”
    “If they have any coal,” she said glumly. Lines of fatigue were etched into her face.
    “If they don’t, we can sleep for a few hours and find somewhere in the town to sell us some coal in the morning.”
    “You really think it’s safe?” She looked hopeful at the thought of a rest.
    “I do.” One way or another, he wouldn’t let them have her.
    “That sounds marvelous.” She eased past him to take the throttle. “Thank you.”
    “After shoveling coal for a couple hours, I could do with a rest myself—and a bath.” He was covered head to toe in soot and coal dust. His clothes were unquestionably ruined.
    Before he could do something silly, like touch her, he went back to the boiler and shoveled some more.
    * * *
    By the time they reached the Blue Raven Inn, Belinda was ready to fall over. She was amazed at Connor’s stamina, but even his strong back was beginning to stoop, as if aching from the unaccustomed labor. They’d gone maybe twenty-five miles, leaving another ten to Connor’s home. They ought to press on, but the roads were dreadful, and it wouldn’t do to get themselves killed in the dark. Belinda was far from convinced that going home with him was a good idea, but she was too tired to come up with another.
    After wiping his face with his handkerchief, Connor put on his frock coat and greatcoat while she drew the wagon to a halt in the empty field beside the inn. She put on her cloak and let Connor help her down after he’d retrieved his saddlebag and the carpet bag with her clothing from the sleeping compartment.
    “Once we’re settled inside, I’ll come back and tend Nick,” he said. “I’m sure someone can rustle him up