Today’s creation was a mossy shade of green. The bodice was embroidered with flowers, with a light dusting of petals cascading down the full skirt. As she perched a matching hat on her soft, brown curls, she stared at her reflection in amazement. She would have to thank Amelia once again for all her advice and support.
At the sound of a knock on her front door, Nivea’s heart skipped a beat.
He’s here. Taking one last look in the mirror for reassurance, Nivea left her bedroom and floated downstairs. Entering the hallway, she stopped with a sigh. There was only a coachman standing in the front hall.
Of course, Dare wouldn’t come in, personally. How silly of me.
She pasted a smile on her face and nodded at the coachman. Before she could move, one of their footmen entered, having carried her bags to the awaiting carriage. “Goodbye, Miss Horsham. Have a lovely trip. Be sure to give Miss Caroline our best wishes.”
“Thank you, Hartley, I will.”
She followed the coachman out and accepted his hand as he helped her into the carriage. It was a beautiful vehicle, lacquered black, embossed with gold, and pulled by a team of four perfectly matched Friesians. Dare Landis would accept no less.
Settling into her seat, Nivea turned to her escort with a wide smile, prepared to offer enthusiastic appreciation for the ride. The greeting froze on her lips as Dare flicked the briefest glance in her direction.
“Good day,” he drawled, before returning his gaze to the carriage window.
“Good day.” A blush flared up her cheeks. All this time preparing and he couldn’t be bothered to look at me? That was disappointing.
Still, not one to pass up an opportunity, Nivea took advantage of his inattentiveness to stare at him, uninterrupted. He was captivating as usual, his rich, dark hair combed back, framing his face to perfection. His jaw was firm and strong, his mouth drawn in an ever-present sneer, but his lips were so full they made women sigh. Ever the rakehell, he wore a tasteful and exquisitely tailored outfit—a blood-red jacket stretched across broad shoulders, and tan breeches molded his muscular legs. Finishing the look, his black boots were polished, spotless.
Only after a minute of relentless attention, did Dare turn his head in her direction. “Yes?”
Embarrassed, she managed to choke out a few words. “How long are you planning to stay with us at Vincent Hall?”
He raised an arrogant eyebrow and shrugged. “Until the entertainment grows dull.”
“With that attitude, I’m surprised you are going at all.”
“William is one of my oldest friends,” he responded, unperturbed. “I think I can manage a week or two in the country for his benefit.” Then he turned back toward the window, coolly dismissing her.
Feeling more than a little silly to have gotten her hopes up, Nivea slumped into her seat. The worst part about the exchange was she remembered a time when they used to be more comfortable in each other’s company. When they were younger, he didn’t seem to mind if she tagged along. She couldn’t understand why, once he’d reached maturity, he’d become so distant.
Determined to make the best of it, Nivea turned toward the window, watching the view change from elegant homes of the nobility, to shops bustling with customers, and finally the rolling hills of the countryside. During that time, there was nary a word spoken. Nivea wished she had the presence of her maid, but Emma had escorted Caroline to Durham in preparation of her wedding. Although traveling without a chaperone should have raised some eyebrows, Nivea knew she was so firmly on the shelf, no one gave it a second thought.
It was hours before they reached their first stop. Bunch of Grapes was a popular inn for travelers, boasting a large dining area. Despite the crowd, Dare acquired a small table away from the main traffic of the room. After the briefest inquiry into her preference, he ordered a light meal for her and a bottle of wine for himself.
His brooding good looks flustered the young serving maid, but she managed to stumble through the order. It was always that way around him. Dare could charm women senseless without the slightest effort.
While waiting for the meal, Dare spent his time glancing around the room, beguiling all the other women with his appreciative smirk. Nivea’s frustration grew. Why was it he chose to bed every other woman in London, but could not spend three days in her presence and manage to be cordial? She was able to make friends with almost everyone else she met—neighbors, tenants, and peers in the ton—but not the one man who made her world complete. Naturally, she hadn’t expected him to fall in love with her, but he could at least bestow an admiring look her way. He rarely missed an opportunity to eye up a female. Unless that female was her, apparently.
Once the food was on the table, Nivea picked at the roast chicken. After a few bites, without even the courtesy of a conversation about the weather, she decided she’d had enough. “Lord Landis, you have known my brother for over a decade. We have traveled in the same circles since I came out more than five years ago, and we spent virtually every holiday together since you were boy. You used to be quite pleasant, or at least civil to me, and yet in the last few hours, you have barely spared me a glance. If we are going to make this trip together, I have to insist you have the courtesy of at least addressing me.”
There. She’d done it. Her heart was hammering in her chest, from both anger and nerves, but she had stood up for herself and it felt wonderful. Until she braved a glance at him.
He was glaring at her as though he were the one who had been insulted. She suppressed a shiver as his eyes raked over her, a haughty sneer pasted on his lips. He opened his mouth to speak and then froze. She saw confusion flash in his eyes, like he’d made an odd discovery. Then it was gone. Through it all, he didn’t say a word.
Now she was fuming. “Are you just going to sit there and stare at me with your mouth ajar?”
Appearing to regain his senses, he answered in his usual, bored intonation. “I apologize, milady. I have been pondering how your family would react if I arrived at Vincent Hall without you. Is it worth the aggravation I would open myself up to? Since I think not, you will be happy to know we can continue on together as soon as you are ready.”
She slammed down her fork and stood up. “Let us go now then. The sooner this trip is over, the better.”
“As you wish.” He held out his arm, but she sailed out in front of him and climbed into the carriage.
The ride continued for a few more hours in relative silence. Dare had ordered the coachman to drive quickly, and he had taken the command to heart. The pace was so rapid Nivea’s bones were clattering. She decided the best course of action was to take a nap. It took a bit of effort, but she finally drifted off.
The shadows were growing long when the carriage gave a sudden jolt, throwing her from her seat. “Ack,” she screamed, snatching in vain for the cushion across the way.
The carriage tipped drunkenly to one side before slamming to a stop.
“Damn it to hell, what was that?” shouted Dare. He climbed upward, swung open the door, and leapt to the road with the grace of a cat. Nivea followed, but was considerably clumsier in her descent as she lowered herself from the elevated frame.
“What in the bloody blazes happened, Weldon!” Dare yelled, smacking his hand on the offending vehicle. Then, regaining his manners, he turned to her. “My apologies for the language. Are you all right, Miss Horsham?”
“Yes, thank you. Just a little shaken.” She would have appreciated a more thorough inquiry on his part, perhaps even a comforting arm around her shoulder, but instead he returned his attention to the carriage.
The wheel had gotten caught in a rut and snapped. They were