Free The Long Road to Love by Lynn Collum

advantageous. The problem was, he didn’t have the least idea what he should do with her now.
    Seeing the idle workman staring curiously, he pushed the problem from his mind and arranged to have his carriage dug out and returned to the Wigginses’ cottage.
    As he strolled back to tell Angel his change of heart, Richard realized the only place he could take her was to his mother in Bath. She would know what to do with the chit. He suddenly wondered if Angel would smile at him in that endearing way when he told her the news. The very thought made him pick up his pace.

Chapter Five
     
    Richard halted at the open doorway and knew at once that the cottage was empty. In a flash, the disturbing thought that Angel had slipped away on foot to resume her journey to York filled him with unease. The very idea that she was so desperate to escape him caused an ache within him which he couldn’t identify. In frustration, he turned and scanned the vista, then hurried down the path to where John and Danny were tending the horses.
    Richard hoped Angel was at the old stable. He was overwhelmed with a sense of urgency to tell her that he was taking her to Bath instead of Edenfield.
    Arriving at the stable, he called, “John, have you seen Miss Markham?”
    The young man stepped out of a stall, pitchfork in hand. “Aye, my lord, she was ‘ere a few minutes ago askin’ bout me takin’ ‘er to York. If that’s what ye want, I’ll do it.”
    Richard smiled as relief filled him. “She’ll change her mind about returning to York once I tell her my news. Where has she gotten to?”
    “Wandered into the woods just there.” John pointed out the direction.
    “Some men from the village are bringing my curricle. If you will ready the carriage, Miss Markham and I shall leave as soon as I find her. We are going to Bath, but I shall return to Blackstone Abbey before you arrive.”
    “Very good, my lord.” John beamed. “We’ll be there.”
    Richard went in search of Angel. He soon came upon her perched on a fallen log, looking forlorn. “Good morning, my dear.”
    The lady started at the sound of his voice as a pair of violet-blue eyes gazed bleakly at him.She sigh as if seemly accepting her fate.
    “Good morning, my lord.”
    Coming to stand in front of her, Richard said, “I have just spoken with your brother.”
    Angelica bounded up, a hint of fear showing on her beautiful face. “He is here!”
    Afraid she might rush into the woods before she heard the news, Richard took her by the shoulders. “He is on his way to York, even as we speak.”
    “But ... how?”
    “I was so overcome at the honor of meeting Lord Paden I simply forgot to mention that you were with me. Your stepbrother urged me to return home before he set out for York.” The earl smiled as he dropped his hands from her and watched the realization dawn on Angel’s face.
    “Oh, Richard, you are wonderful!” Angelica threw her arms around his neck and, without a thought, kissed him. Suddenly realizing the impropriety of her actions she stepped back and blushed at the growing grin on Richard’s handsome face.
    Hoping to cover her confusion, she said, “So, you will take me to York?”
    “Never, dear girl.”
    “But I thought since you . . .” Angelica’s voice petered out. What was the earl planning on doing with her? Had he mistaken her kiss as an invitation to offer herself carte blanche ? Straightening her shoulders, she haughtily asked, “What pray tell, are your plans, sir?
    Richard was amused at her tone. “Don’t be cross as crabs with me. ‘Tis only that York is out of the question. Would you have us overtake Giles on the road there, for I never knew a man who was more cow-handed handling the ribbons. I’m taking you to my mother in Bath.”
    Relief flooded Angelica. He might be a notorious rake, but he was still her old dear friend. “You truly are a knight to the rescue. I should like to go to Bath.”
    Richard entwined her arm with his. “What