Dare to Love Read Free Page B

standards, he took a small sip and handed the other glass to Nivea.
    Reaching out to accept the glass, she did her best to hide a grimace of pain. Uncertain how it would go down, she took a small, cautious sip. There was a slight burn, but after a few swallows, her jabbing pain mellowed to a dull throbbing.
    “Better?” Dare asked.
    “I’m sure I’ll be fine,” she said, not at all confident. Every bone, muscle, and sinew in her body ached. She wasn’t sure she could even get out of the chair once their rooms were ready. In fact, she would have been happy to fall asleep right there, perhaps never waking up again.
    “It was a bit of a bumpy ride. I assure you, we will be more comfortable tomorrow.”
    Nivea managed a nod, before setting down her empty glass and closing her eyes.
    After what seemed like a cruelly short period of time, Mr. Ludlow reappeared and announced their rooms were ready. Dare helped her from the chair—for all appearances, acting as a solicitous brother, but in reality, he had to exert a hearty tug to get her upright. While the tingle from his touch was still there, it dimmed to a faint flicker as he helped guide her up the interminable amount of stairs and into her room. She let out a sigh of relief when the door closed. A young miss was already in attendance, and Nivea was immensely grateful as she helped her remove her travel clothes and eased her into the soothing bath.
    If she had ever doubted her aversion for riding, today solidified it. How could anyone enjoy being bounced around on such an ungainly beast? Every inch of her felt bumped and bruised. Thank goodness, she would never have to go through that again.
    The water was starting to get cold when there was a knock on the door.
    “Supper is ready, miss,” the maid called out. “I will help you get dressed so you can join his lordship.”
    Nivea was too tired to eat, but spending time in Dare’s presence was tempting enough to drag her from the bath. She let the maid help her into her least rumpled gown and then headed across the hall.
    Dare was standing by the window with his snuffbox in hand. Even without a valet, he looked impeccable. It was so unfair.
    She gingerly took her place at the table, her posterior so sore, she wasn’t certain she could sit through the meal. It was evident that Dare was not experiencing a similar sensation. Without offering a word of conversation, he sat across from her, his posture erect, his movements precise, as formal as he would at Court. This time, Nivea was too tired to care.
    She picked at the roast turkey and forced down a few potatoes, before giving in to exhaustion. Laying her fork aside, she asked, “May I assume we will wait here for the carriage tomorrow?”
    “I am afraid not.”
    What? “But I thought you said we would be more comfortable.”
    “Yes, we will. Mr. Ludlow has acquired two passable horses for us…with saddles. It will ease our ride considerably. The carriage will no doubt catch up with us by mid-day, but it would not be prudent to wait.”
    The news sapped the last of Nivea’s energy. “Please excuse me. I would like to retire now,” she mumbled.
    “Yes, of course.” Dare stood and walked her to the door. “We will leave at eight o’clock, so don’t dawdle getting ready.” He bowed as she passed through the doorway, missing her blazing glare of contempt.
     

Chapter 4
    Dare neglected to tell Nivea that he had been given the option of a carriage, but turned it down for the freedom of riding on a well-bred horse. He had forgotten how pleasant it was riding unrestricted through the countryside. While Nivea wasn’t the trial he had expected, he preferred not being cooped up inside with her.
    Aware she was uncomfortable, he stopped more often than he would have needed. No point in abusing the girl too much, since all she wanted was to see her sister’s wedding. A noble sentiment, considering her sister was five years younger than she, and her with no hint of a