An Arrangement of Sorts Read Free Page A

couldn’t decide how to respond to this reception. How could he be so casual about what they were about to undertake? Had he no care for her reputation, or his own?   What sort of man had she just decided to trust her future with? She opted for confusion and frowned. “A command, sir? How could I command you in anything?”
    His smile faded slightly at her tone, but not completely. “I spent nearly eight years in the army, Miss Dennison. I have grown quite accustomed to the sound of commands. And your behavior in The Horse and Rider just now mirrored some of the most terrifying commanding officers I have ever faced.”
    She frowned slightly. “I don’t know if I should be flattered or offended by that comment, Mr. Hammond.”
    “Nor do I, Miss Dennison,” he replied without missing a beat, “but you have commanded, I have seen fit to obey, and now await further orders.”
    Moira had to force herself not to gape openly at him. She had not thought beyond getting him to come with her, and had fully planned on him being insistent on taking the lead in their expedition, expecting her to ride passively along with him. She had even been practicing her grumbling complaints about men and their expectations of women. Now she was supposed to believe that he was willing to bow to her unseemly demands, without question or concern and without pride, and go along with whatever she wanted, however she wanted?
    How unnatural.
    How disturbing.
    How was that possible?
    Once again, she had to swallow hard and fought to keep the fear from her face. “Very well, Mr. Hammond. I have secured a horse for myself, but was under the assumption that it would not be necessary to do so for you. Am I wrong?”
    He shook his head, those dark eyes still fixed on her, as if assessing her. “No, I have a mount. I can be ready to leave immediately.”
    Immediately. That was rather soon. She chewed on the inside of her cheek indecisively.
    “If I may offer my opinion, Miss Dennison?” he said quietly, as if he could sense her turmoil.
    “You may,” she allowed, waving her hand impatiently.
    “The day is more than half gone. If we were to depart at this time, we would have to stop for the night before covering much ground. Perhaps if we left at first light? Then we would have a full day in which to begin.” He shrugged lightly, as if it made no difference to him. “Just a thought.”
    It took all of Moira’s considerable self - control to avoid releasing a heaving sigh of relief. She could certainly put something together by first light tomorrow without a problem.
    She nodded after appearing to give his suggestion some thought. “Very well, I believe that would be wise. Tomorrow at first light it is.” She allowed herself to smile up at him. “You see, Mr. Hammond? I knew you were the right man for this.” She turned and went to take her horse’s reins. “I shall meet you back here at first light tomorrow. Good day, Mr. Hammond.”
    Proudly, with her head held higher than normal, she walked towards the boarding house she had passed a few buildings before, hoping for a vacancy. If there wasn’t one, she would make do with sleeping out in the stables behind. She had slept very well in less, and at this moment, all she cared about was that Mr. Hammond had said yes, and they would finally be on their way tomorrow. Everything was working out perfectly.
    

C hapter T wo
     

    A s the first rays of morning light began to filter through the hills, Nathan rode atop his second best mount, Mercury, towards The Horse and Rider, where a lone figure stood beside her horse waiting for him. He smiled tightly to himself.
    This Miss Dennison was an interesting woman. She was well-equipped for a long journey, if the state of her pack was any indication, and she was bundled up against the morning chill rather smartly. He found himself wondering how long she had been waiting for him, what sort of person she was in the morning, and, oddly enough, if she