Chapter-Four

I squinted into the morning light, the throbbing in my head too insufferable to take in much else besides Augustus awaiting us near the carriage. “I trust you ladies slept well?”

I wasn’t certain any person could sleep well in such a place, let alone with the torrent of nightmares I’d endured, but I forced a smile. “Perfectly. And might I inquire about the length of today’s journey?”

Augustus held out a hand to assist Leah into the cab then offered the support to me. “Not half a day’s travel from here. If we encounter no complications, we shall arrive with ample time to rest before dressing for dinner.”

My head throbbed, and the thought of another moment bouncing about in a carriage was unbearable. “Superb.” I accepted his offered hand and ascended the steps, my aching body protesting each movement. I settled myself across from Leah into the same seat as yesterday. Ruth soon followed, resuming her rear-facing position before Augustus again moved onto the bench next to me.

When the carriage lurched forward, I looked to Ruth. “I still desire to know more of Fairhaven before our arrival. You had begun yesterday, but we changed topics before you were able to relay much of it.”

Ruth clasped her hands at her chest. “I could talk of such things for hours.”

“By all means, please do,” I said, relieved I would not need to offer much in the way of conversation once Ruth began.

Augustus’s gaze was once again on me, but I did not meet it as Ruth began her explanation of Fairhaven’s scarcely noteworthy history. With a few nods and well-placed smiles, Ruth continued on with little need of encouragement.

By the first stop to change horses, she had finished detailing the rose garden—apparently Fairhaven’s most mentionable feature—and moved on to describe the orchard. As Ruth launched into the different varieties of fruit grown, my eyelids grew insufferably heavy.

I stifled a yawn and glanced at Leah enviously, her head resting against the window, and her eyes closed. How fortunate she had no one to make a good impression on. Refocusing on Ruth, I forced myself to remain attentive. The rhythmic movement of the carriage lulled me deeper into exhaustion, but I would not succumb. It would be completely improper for me to fall asleep while Ruth spoke, especially sitting next to Augustus.

* * *

“Miss Carter.”

A light tapping on my arm followed the voice.

"Miss Godwin,” the deep voice was familiar and exceptionally close.

Despite the heaviness of my eyelids, I forced them open. The vibrant colors of a summer afternoon were framed by a tilted window contrasting the interior of the swaying, more dimly lit—coach? I lifted my head and a strong hand helped me upright.

“Don’t let her miss it, Augi!”

Augi? My faculties returned in near unison with the mortification that consumed me. I glanced sideways with dread as Augustus returned my look of embarrassment with one of utter amusement.

“I …” I didn’t know what to say as I ensured my hair had not dislodged from the pins. My training had entailed memorizing appropriate excuses for any foreseeable misstep; unfortunately, falling asleep on a gentleman had not been among the list. “I must have fallen asleep.” My deficient excuse sent the rising warmth to my cheeks.

Augustus’s smile grew. “I did not mind in the least.”

Ruth watched the exchange with nearly as much enjoyment on her face as her cousin.

“I’m sorry if I drifted off while you spoke, Ruth. I was very much enjoying your explanation of Fairhaven and”—I searched my mind—“the orchard.”

She smiled. “It was not the first time someone has fallen asleep while I prattled on and it certainly shan’t be the last.”

I gave a timid nod, hoping my acknowledgment would not be taken offensively.

Ruth’s unaffected expression moved to her cousin. “Tell Bella where we are.”

“Branbury Court is about to come into view.” Augustus’s intent stare only deepened the awful shade of red I could feel settling into my cheeks and neck. “I hated to wake you, but we figured you’d be disappointed if you missed it.”

I swallowed. “Who told you of Branbury?”

Augustus did not look away. “Your father wrote of it in the missive he sent—both the upcoming house party as well as the anticipated engagement between yourself and Lord Thorton.”

My fickle heart lurched, quickly followed by a wave of guilt surging through me. But why should I feel guilty about such a thing being withheld? It wasn’t as though I’d hidden the truth, we simply hadn’t ventured on the taboo topic yet. And there certainly had never been an opportune time to mention my forthcoming offer. Not with Augustus here. Eager to be free of their expectant gazes, I looked out the window nearest me. “I had not realized we passed by Lord Thorton’s estate on our journey, though I admit I am eager to catch a glimpse of the place.”

“It will be on my side.” He pointed out his window ahead of us. “At the edge of this clearing of hedges—just there.”

I moved slightly toward him, but could only see the darkened wall of endless foliage from where I sat. Augustus pressed himself against the bench, allowing me more room for viewing. I leaned a little farther, ensuring I did not touch him, only to find my attempts were in vain.

“I shall wait.” Gesturing for him to return to his place, I corrected my posture.

“But you shall miss it.” Ruth’s voice was frantic. “You can only see it for a few moments before the hedges will again block it from view.”

I glanced back at Leah who was awake but seemed to have little interest in the happenings inside the carriage. Reassured by her unwavering view out the opposite window, I inhaled and leaned even farther over, craning my neck. It was hopeless. I still could see nothing.

A warm hand settled on my waist, and the touch of Augustus’s other arm wrapping around my back forced the air from my lungs. Slowly he pulled me toward him until my face nearly touched his window. His strong grasp held my weight effortlessly. “Is that better?” I felt his voice vibrating in his chest which did little more to ease my racing heart than his warm breath on my neck.

“Yes,” I whispered just as a large estate came into view. My ears rang and my neck tingled, but I attempted to focus on what I saw and not the sense of yearning that Augustus’s touch evoked. Branbury was tucked significantly back from the road, a long private drive leading toward the house. The gray stones reflected the sun and, though I could not see it exceptionally well due to the distance, I could tell it was enormous in size and sufficiently grand. “Branbury Court,” I said to myself. “How ideal.”

I watched my future home until it was once again hidden from view. Before I considered how my proximity to Augustus was no longer necessary, he slipped his hand from my waist.

The heavy folds of my traveling dress repositioned under my forceful hands. “Thank you, Mr. Brundage.”

“It was my pleasure,” he said with that familiar, mischievous tone.

I refused to let it rattle me. “Well, if all goes according to plan, I do believe I will be quite pleased to call Branbury Court home in a few months’ time.”

“Why did you not tell us you would soon be engaged?” Ruth gave a small pout. “I was quite amazed when Augustus mentioned it before waking you just now.”

“Forgive me.” I clasped my fingers tightly to keep myself from fidgeting. “But as the arrangement is only anticipated, I do not yet speak of it openly.” The excuse was hollow, but what else could be said? Surely not that I was just as uncertain as to the reasons for my blatant omission.

Ruth nodded, her expression cheering a touch. “Well, now that I’ve been made aware, it is you who must do the talking. You must tell me everything.”

“There is not much to tell.”

Ruth scoffed. “I can hardly expect that is the truth of it.”

“Lord Thorton is an earl.” I gave a small lift of my shoulders, hoping she would accept the only answer most people required.

She bobbed her head. “And?”

I fixed my eyes on her, refusing to let them drift to Augustus. “Well … he is wealthy, connected, and … a most superior gentleman. Not to mention, I believe us to have similar expectations of marriage.”

Ruth gave a small frown. “But why do you love him?”

I stiffened.

“Ruth,” Augustus said, drawing her consideration. “Perhaps this is a conversation Miss Godwin would prefer to have in private.”

Ruth glanced around the small cab, as though she were uncertain of what he alluded to.

“With only you.”

Ruth lifted a hand to cover her gaping mouth. “Oh! Of course. Forgive me, Bella. I assumed …” She looked at Augustus then back at me. “Never mind. We shall venture there later when we are alone.”

Too confounded to offer Augustus my gratitude, I simply nodded.

“To think your future home is not three hours from Fairhaven.” Ruth appeared unaware that Augustus had likely intended for her to leave the matter entirely. “We shall have to visit one another regularly once you are settled. Perhaps we shall even attend your wedding.”

“We have one last stop before arriving at Fairhaven.” Augustus’s hasty interruption reverberated through the small space. A disruption I was grateful for.

Ruth released a squeal, the sound piercing through me. “I can hardly believe we shall soon be home. It feels an eternity since we left.”

Augustus chuckled. “It does always amaze me how a fortnight in London can feel so dastardly long.”

“Surely you jest, Mr. Brundage.” I eyed him. “I much prefer London to any other place I have been. There are so many diversions to keep one occupied.”

“Well you haven’t been to Fairhaven yet.” Augustus tapped his knee into mine in a way that forced me to overlook my body’s foolish response. “Perhaps your opinion is about to change.”

It felt ungrateful to conclude otherwise, so I offered a tight smile. “Perhaps.”

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