Free Return of the Runaway by Sarah Mallory Page A

the figure of Raoul, mounted upon the long tailed bay. She wanted him. She wanted him to hold her, to make love to her.
    Shocking. Reprehensible. Frightening. She had already admitted to herself that eloping had been a mistake. How much more of a mistake to allow herself to develop a tendre for a man like Raoul Doulevant? A man whom she would not see again once she returned to England. Besides, it was nothing more than lust, she knew that. They were constantly at odds with one another and had he not told her himself he had no cause to like the English? Reluctantly she shifted her gaze away from him. No, much better to keep her distance, it would be madness to allow the undoubted attraction between them to take hold. If only she could forget what had happened in the lake, forget his kiss, the way it felt to have her naked body pressed close to his, the heat that had flowed between them despite the cool water.
    She gave herself a little shake. The strong yearning she felt was because she was lonely. The last few months with Gerald had been very unhappy. She had no close friends in Verdun and loyalty had kept her from confiding her problems to anyone. Once she was back in England, living with Grandmama, taking up her old life again, she would be able to put from her mind her time in France. She smoothed out the skirts of her yellow muslin and tried to smother the quiet voice that told her Raoul Doulevant would not be easy to forget.
    * * *
    It was some time past noon and they were passing over a particularly uneven section of road when there was a sudden splintering crash and the carriage shuddered to a halt, lurching drunkenly into the ditch. Cassie was thrown from her seat and was lying dazed against the side of the carriage that now appeared to be the floor when the door above her opened. She heard Raoul’s voice, sharp with concern.
    â€˜Are you hurt?’
    Cassie moved cautiously.
    â€˜I do not think so.’
    He reached down to her. She grasped his hand and he lifted her out of the chaise and on to the ground. She found she was shaking and clung to Raoul for a moment until her legs would once more support her.
    â€˜What happened?’ she asked him.
    â€˜One of the wheels is broken,’ said Raoul, adding bitterly, ‘It is no surprise when you look at the state of the road. We should be thankful the windows did not shatter.’
    â€˜Ah, well, you see, now the aristos are gone there’s no one to pay for the upkeep.’
    They looked around to find a burly individual standing behind them. The man jerked a thumb over his shoulder.
    â€˜The great house back there. When the family was in residence they paid handsomely to maintain this road in good condition for all their fine friends. Since they’ve gone...’ he shrugged ‘...no one around here cares to repair it for others to use.’
    â€˜Who are you?’ Raoul asked him. ‘Do you live at the chateau?’
    â€˜No, but I farm the land hereabouts and live in the grounds with my wife. Looking after the place, you might say.’
    Cassie glanced through the trees towards the large house in the distance. The once-grand building looked decidedly sorry for itself, windows broken and shutters hanging off.
    â€˜Then you are not looking after it very well,’ said Raoul, giving voice to Cassie’s thoughts.
    â€˜Ah, good monsieur , I am but a humble farmer. The damage occurred when the family left.’ He spat on the ground. ‘They are either dead or fled abroad and I have neither the money nor authority to repair it. I merely keep an eye on it, so to speak.’
    â€˜Enough,’ said Raoul. ‘It is not our concern. We need to get this chaise repaired, and quickly.’
    The man lifted his cap and scratched his head.
    â€˜The nearest wheelwright is back the way you came.’
    â€˜I was afraid of that,’ Raoul muttered. ‘Even if we were riding we would be hard pressed to get back there by