Free Sinful Cravings by Samantha Holt Page A

at this farmhouse and see if they have a carriage we can borrow.”
    She paused to stare at the large farmhouse near the end of the lane as if she hadn’t even noticed its existence. Jasper didn’t know what he’d been thinking, riling her up. It had been fun for a while. Now, he was not so sure.
    Now, not only did he wish to loosen those corset laces and set her free, but he wanted to do more. Make her smile, hear her laugh.
    Bloody hell, this wouldn’t do.
    A young woman answered the door when they called at the farmhouse and she sent them out to her husband, who was in the field. The farmer led them to the side of the barn when they explained their predicament.
    He motioned to the cart. “It’s not exactly fancy but she’ll get you there safely.”
    Jasper eyed the vehicle. It was basic and the ride wouldn’t be comfortable. And they would be exposed to the elements. But the farmer was right. The wheels looked to be in good condition and it would survive the journey.
    The man named his price for the cart and a horse and Jasper handed over the coin with a thanks. By the time they were ready to leave, it was past lunchtime, so the farmer’s wife wrapped up some bread and cheese for them to eat on the way and they were offered directions to the next inn.
    “I hope it doesn’t rain,” Hettie said fearfully, glancing at the clouds.
    Not a spot of blue was in sight but the clouds remained white. “We’ll be fine,” he said confidently.
    Naturally, the weather wanted to prove him wrong. By late afternoon a light drizzle began to coat them and the reassuringly white clouds had turned gun-metal grey. With one hand, Jasper unbuttoned his coat and draped it over Hettie.
    “Will you not get cold?”
    He shook his head. “You’re more delicate than I am.”
    “I am not delicate.”
    “Hettie, I have little intention of seeing you wet and ill.”
    “But it is true. I’ve never been delicate. I don’t fall ill which is why I started working at the orphanage in the first place. I could look after the poorly children without fear for my health.”
    “You parents must have had a lot of faith in you to risk your health like that.”
    “Mama says I am sturdy and that means I am not prone to illness.”
    He couldn’t resist sweeping his gaze over what he could see of her figure under his jacket. Sturdy was not how he would describe her. Sumptuous? Yes. Delicious? Definitely. Sturdy? No.
    The rain grew heavier, preventing him from doing anything other than concentrating on keeping the cart on the road and swiping the water from his eyes. When the sight of a white cottage greeted them in the distance, he gave a sigh of relief. The wavering sign just visible on the outside of the building told him it was the inn to which they’d been directed.
    He navigated the cart to the stables and handed Hettie down. The stable hand took care of the horse and vehicle while another young lad offered to carry their luggage. Thank the Lord he didn’t have to juggle that hat box anymore.
    “Let us get inside,” he called to Hettie over the increasing rain before striding toward the doorway. He paused when he realised she wasn’t directly behind him and turned to see her tugging up her skirts and doing some odd sort of dance in the rain. Had she become so wet that she’d sickened? Was she delusional? Realisation struck and he couldn’t help release a laugh. Her boot was stuck in the thick mud outside the inn.
    Jasper strode over. “Are you stuck?”
    “Well, yes!”
    “Do you mind if I...” He tapped her leg.
    “No, go ahead.”
    He curled a hand around her leg and tugged hard. Her boot slipped off and she nearly toppled back. Hettie flung her arms around his neck to prevent a fall and near strangled him. He bent to retrieve her boot but he somehow ended up juggling her and the boot when her feet went from underneath her.
    “Hettie, you’re strangling me,” he gargled.
    “Oh.” She released her grip a little and almost