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My parents had been loathed to send me without one. It wasn’t done. But when the fine carriage arrived, it eased their minds. The journey was to last but a few days and no more. “Alas, my maid could not find it within herself to leave Bath behind, so dearly she loves her home.”

“Ah. And you are quite alone and cold.” He tugged his gloves on again, too.

“Dash it all. My horse was stolen last night, or I would have you ride him.” His lips quirked.

“Once again, I must escort you safely, Miss Chilton. You simply cannot remain in this freezing weather. Indeed, I fear for your health. You must allow me to carry you.”

My eyes smarted. He was right, but I was mortified.

“Did you ever ride piggyback as a child?”

I shook my head. “No siblings to frolic so.”

“Miss Chilton, I’ll have you know that I’m a man of honor. I would not require this of you if there were any other way.”

“I understand.”

“You will have to hitch your skirts up a bit and ride upon my back. You have seen it done, I hope?”

I nodded. The fisherman’s children played it often on the shores of Bath.

“Good.”

“What if I am too heavy?”

“You are a feather compared to the men I’ve carried from the battlefield…

” his voice trailed off. “You need a warm fire and food. Sooner, the better.” His eyes bore concern with a wrinkle of amusement about them.

What we were about to do seemed utterly silly, but there was no help for it. Quite literally.

“Alright.”

“Raise your skirts.” He turned his back so he couldn’t see me.

I was thankful. “Now wrap your arms around my chest and grip—I’m a dunce.

” He whirled about just as I dropped my skirts.

He clapped a hand to his eyes. “Forgive your rescuer for his inability to think straight. It has been a long night. I will unlatch one of these horses, and we will ride.”

I looked at the giant beast who stamped his hoof into the mud, clearly not amused with the prospect. “We shall have to ride bareback with no reins…”

“You have a point. This may not be possible. Piggyback it is.”

My chin trembled. I’d endured a wretched night and had been found by the gentleman I was going to have to forget at all costs. He would be my rescuer, and then he would take his leave once again. Would that my suitor could be so gallant.

“I am sorry, Miss Chilton. You should never have been abandoned so. But since I have a habit of rescuing you in the cold, I shall gladly be your horse. Pig. Whatever you want to call it.”

I stifled a laugh and launched upon his back. “Walk on, Colonel Stewart.” I still could not believe it was he that found me. I’d not breathed a word about Colonel Stewart to Susan, but I wondered what she would think. Her brothers were nothing compared to the kindness of this man.

I clung to his back for nearly two miles before an inn blessedly came into view. It had been so close! I had no idea. Had I chanced the road last night, I might not be so miserable as in this moment. Exhausted and frozen through. If only my driver had returned.

“Do let me try to walk now. You have warmed me.” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I regretted them. The man did warm me, inside and out. It was a wrong feeling knowing I was on my way to meet my potential fiancé—and, perhaps, husband.

“As you wish.”

He took my arm and tucked me close to his side as he’d done but a week ago. My feet finally had some feeling back into them, but my head ached so! We approached the inn, having caught no sight of my driver lying injured on the road. Was he here?

The question was soon answered as we stepped through the door. The man himself, dressed and rested, hat atop his head. His mouth hung agape, his eyes registering shock.

“Miss!”

Colonel Stewart spoke in a tone likely used upon those ranked below him. “Am I to understand that you were her driver?”

The man dipped his head.

“You ought to be flogged.” Colonel Stewart released me and towered over the man.

I spoke up. “Why did you not return for me?” I wanted to be angry, but I was so tired. Far too tired to really care any longer.

Holding his hands against the formidable colonel, the driver stuttered his excuse. “They said you was come, miss, that you were led above stairs. That you’d been dropped off by some kind soul. Or I would have never left you! I swear it!”

Colonel Stewart pushed him aside and led me within. “Did you not think to verify the woman’s identity?”

“Didn’t think. Weren’t no soul out in such as last night—who else could it have been?” His face reddened. “I didn’t think. I’m sorry, miss.” He adjusted his collar. “I’ll be fetching the coach now, miss.”

“Wait while I get Miss Chilton settled.”

Colonel Stewart led me to the fireplace, the space blessedly empty of patrons, and onto the slender bench before it. He pressed a gentle squeeze to my shoulder. “Wait here.”

How was it possible for my body to ache so when I have done naught but shiver and be carried all the way here?

The fire’s heat swam before my face, tingling my skin awake. Colonel Stewart and the driver had stepped outside, but, by chance, they positioned just outside the window beside me. I could hear them. Colonel Stewart’s voice was strong and carried straight through the thin window glass.

“When I hired you to carry her to Butterton, I was told that you were the best driver available. Not some irresponsible thoughtless—”

“Colonel Stewart, sir, I had no idea twas you—”

A cup of tea was placed in my hands. I trembled yet more. What had he just said? When I hired you to carry her to Butterton…

When I hired you to carry her to Butterton.

The plush coach ride had been a gift from my potential fiancé. Colonel Stewart? Now every part of me burned. But how? I sipped my hot tea, my eyes shuttering closed, blinking back tears that came regardless of my design to stop them.

From the dance at the assembly, through the days of packing and wondering who the man of mystery was—I’d even tossed his roses at the end so I wouldn’t daydream of Colonel Stewart any longer.

Wouldn’t be fitting! And now, he was here, having rescued me from the coach he’d supplied? After he’d clearly been in a brawl?

I took another swallow and allowed the hot liquid to soothe. Nothing made sense, except for the man that returned to my side with a cup of tea in his hands.

Was he really, truly the gentleman who required a spouse? I dared a glance at him.

“Miss Chilton—feeling better?”

“Colonel Stewart…” I looked down at my tea again. “I…heard you through the window.”

His face reddened as he set his cup down. “I beg your patience. I had no intention of sending you on a reckless journey that could have cost you your life. Will you forgive me? For not protecting you enough?” His face was in earnest.

“Perhaps I did not hear correctly.” I set my empty teacup into the saucer and clenched my hands in my lap. “You—you are the gentleman whom Uncle Harris…the vicar whom…” I failed to finish my sentence. It was all so inconceivable.

He sat beside me on the bench. “I have a confession to make.” A quirk lifted on the side of his lips. “I traveled to Bath expressly to make your acquaintance.”

“You—” I trembled all the more. “You are the one…” Wonder and nerves vied for position.

He looked at me with frankness. “I didn’t desire to waste my time or yours if we failed to even have an amicable conversation.”

We’d been more than amicable. We’d been shy during the dance, but dinner and our walk home had been…wonderful. My face flashed with heat, not of the fire. “You already knew of my circumstances?”

“I am sorry I was not forthcoming on that score. Once we were introduced, I lost my way a bit. Meeting someone for the first time whom one might make significant life changes with rather jumbled my thinking.”

“Why me?”

“Why not you?” He laughed softly. “Your vicar uncle spoke highly of you, your genuine nature, your kindness,” he paused, “your beauty…”

“You flatter sir.”

“I only repeat your uncle’s words. You can’t imagine how I felt when I found his praises to be true—and more.”

I looked away from his warm gaze. He required a wife.

Desired one in haste. I was a convenience but…

the way he looked at me, I felt as though I was truly living within a romance novel.

Had I not felt a difference upon his acquaintance, though short it was?

And his bouquet of roses I loathed to leave behind?

How could I feel such strength behind our meeting and now know his purpose? But I did, and it frightened me a little. He planned to take me as his bride if I agreed. Uncle Harris approved of him, but he was yet a stranger.

It resembled a romance, but might I trust it? I looked back at him, and he continued.

“Imagine my surprise when you told me of your desire to do more in this world. To make more of yourself—what was it? Beyond gossip in the parlors and assemblies? You seemed eager to teach children.”

“Indeed. I do. I am…”

He smiled. “How could I resist wanting to know a woman like that?”

“Colonel Stewart, if you don’t mind my saying, you would do much better with a London Season. Surely there are young women of great benefit…I…” What was I saying? This was the man I dearly wanted to see again. He didn’t seem to mind I came with nothing.

“Great benefit?” His brows rose, and he held up his index finger.

“I endured one month, October past to be precise, of that wretched Season.” He swiped a hand through his hair.

“Never again. I’ve not seen so many ridiculous females gathered to spear a man with her charms in all my life—tis not worth a dowry of any size. ”

I blinked at how quickly and easily I’d devalued myself by monetary comparison—the very thing that began to gall me. “Understood.”

“Miss Chilton.” He reached over and caught my hand in his.

“I’ve been a man of tents and war and battle.

I’ve known death and hunger. I know how one choice can change a life forever.

The world can be a hard place.” His eyes did not weep, but I thought they might.

“And because of that, I’ve two wards to raise.

I refuse to acquire a selfish wife who only cares about society and position with all the trappings.

” He took my other hand. “I desire a wife who will love my wards as her own children would be loved. They’ve endured far too much loss for anything less. ”

My eyes smarted. Had he also endured too much loss? I’d forgotten about the wards. “How old are they?”

“Rachel is but six years old. Her brother, Andrew, is eight.”

“All they have is each other?” I swallowed down my emotions.

He shook his head. “They have me and…” He let the question dangle between us. He released my hands. “A question best answered later.” He smiled. “You need to rest—I’ve sent for a doctor and hired a maid to see to your needs. Do you think you can climb the stairs?”

I rose to my feet and wobbled.

“Nonsense. Up we go.” He lifted me in his arms, no piggyback this time. My arms had nowhere to go but around his broad shoulder and across his chest.

I was so very, very tired. He lay me on the bed and left me to the maid’s ministrations and the doctor’s order that I rest a few days in this place before traveling once again. I insisted I was fine but readily knew that Colonel Stewart wasn’t a man to be deterred from his purpose.

I was his purpose.

My heart thudded even as my eyelids scarce could stay open.

I’d been inclined to accept the gentleman offering, despite him being a stranger.

I’d been resigning myself to this good kind of duty.

But now that I knew the man was Colonel Stewart—my heart couldn’t help but be involved. Might love grow to exist between us?