Page 72 of A Cinderella to Redeem the Earl

What she had felt for Alan paled in comparison for the emotions twisting her heart every time she thought of Damian’s departure.

Then she really must not think. It was simply too painful.

At the next junction, a finger post pointed one way to London and the other to Brighton. They had reached the main road. Twenty miles to London. By mail coach the journey always seemed interminable, but in this vehicle it would take no time at all.

The highway was wider and straighter than the country lane and she felt able to relax in her seat and enjoy the journey.

A mail coach lumbering in the other direction reminded her of the discomforts she had endured travelling from one position of employment to another. Now she was enjoying the comforts of a well-sprung vehicle that ate up the miles and provided lovely views of the countryside.

The horse settled into a trot and Damian manoeuvred around several slower vehicles with ease and skill.

‘It is a long time since I was in London,’ she said to fill the silence.

‘Did you miss it?’

‘Not at all. I prefer the country.’

He grimaced. ‘I prefer the city.’

‘Why is that?’

‘There is too much solitude in the country. I like people. You never speak of your family. Do you not miss them?’

She froze. How to answer such a question? ‘There is only my mother left and she married again. I do not particularly like her new husband.’

‘Because he replaced your father?’

She sighed. ‘Perhaps. It annoys me, how she fawns over him. She never did so with my father. They were always arguing.’

‘About what did they argue?’

‘I was not party to their discussions. I mostly heard heated voices, but I believe it was about money. Father was a hopeless spendthrift. For the most part, Mother managed the finances. Except now and then and he would spend money without discussing it with her. Then they would argue. Anyway, Mother does not approve of me and my choices, so I am better off as I am.’

‘I would give anything to speak with my mother again.’ He sounded terribly sad. ‘She died not long after we arrived in France.’

She touched his arm in sympathy. ‘How old were you?’

‘Ten.’

‘I am sorry.’

‘It was a difficult time. My father never got over the loss.’

‘Whereas my mother happily skipped on to the next man who would keep her in the style to which she had become accustomed.’ She could not keep the bitterness out of her voice.

‘You resent her for marrying again.’

She huffed out a breath. ‘I thought at the very least, she should have waited out the mourning period. I can’t even think where she might have met him, to be honest.’

‘She did well to capture an earl. He doesn’t seem like a bad man to me.’

Startled, she stared at him. ‘Do you know my stepfather?’

‘I have met him once or twice at social events.’

Why had he never said anything? ‘And my mother?’

‘We were not introduced, but she was pointed out to me quite recently as being the widow of the late Reverend Lamb. There is a family resemblance and I put two and two together.’