Page 88 of A Cinderella to Redeem the Earl

It was not long before the footman returned to say the carriage awaited them at the kerb and they stepped out into December’s cold evening air and climbed aboard.

He had hired a town carriage for this evening’s outing. His grooms had spent the afternoon making sure it was spotless inside and out.

‘How was your day?’ he asked.

‘Busy. What with cooking dinner and getting ready to go out.’

‘Sacre bleu, why did you say nothing? I could have hired someone in to help.’ He should have thought of it for himself, if he was honest.

‘I prefer to cook myself. What I don’t prefer is last-minute invitations that require heaps of visits to the dressmaker and last-minute requests to change my appearance.’

That told him. He laughed.

He took her hand, turned it over and pressed a kiss to her pulse. Her little shiver of pleasure caused his blood to heat. He ignored his desire and said in teasing tones, ‘I apologise for inviting you to spend the evening with me.’

She laughed ruefully. ‘You are not the smallest bit sorry. And neither am I.’

‘I want this evening to be special. I want you to enjoy every moment.’ He put his arm around her and she leaned into him.

‘How can I not when I am with you?’

A pang in the region of his heart made his breath catch. The knowledge that eventually she would hate him nigh brought him to his knees.

He cursed his ill luck. Why was she the one woman he had come to care for so deeply?

It wasn’t until they turned on to the bridge that she noticed they were not headed for the Haymarket.

Pulling free of his arm, she leaned forward to look out of the window in the door. ‘Where are we going?’

‘Oh,’ he said casually, ‘didn’t I tell you? There are no operas on offer tonight in Town, we have to go a little further afield.’

‘No. You didn’t mention it. Are they playing in Southwark?’

‘We are not going to Southwark. This is Regent Bridge.’

She turned and stared at him. ‘Regent Bridge? So we are going to...?’ She tilted her head. ‘We are not going to the opera, are we?’

‘No. I hope you will not be too disappointed.’

‘But... I can’t believe you would...’

‘Take you to Vauxhall Gardens? Believe it because I am.’

She shook her head. ‘You said it was closed.’

‘It is closed to the public, yes. But I have rented it for the evening.’

Her eyes widened. ‘That must have cost a fortune.’

He shrugged. ‘Since tonight will be our only opportunity to visit the gardens, I thought the price well worth it.’

‘You spendthrift.’ She threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. ‘But I love you for it.’

They both froze.

His heart pounded in his chest. Usually, with such a demonstration of affection, he would have nuzzled her neck, kissed her silly and who knew where it might have led, but right now he felt as if there was a hole in his chest where his heart ought to be.

He straightened. ‘Good,’ he said stiffly. ‘I am glad you are pleased.’ God, that sounded so stilted. He forced himself to smile, but even that felt stiff and awkward. He cleared his throat. ‘Wait until you see what else is in store.’