Free Just One Touch by Debra Mullins Page B

sneering bastard to a pulp. He turned away.
    “Thought you wanted the truth,” Hadley called after him.
    Rogan swung around and smashed his fist straight into Hadley’s lying mouth.
    The other man flew backward and shattered a table to bits as he landed, unconscious. Blood trickled from his mouth, but he lay still.
    Rogan rubbed his knuckles, temper still simmering, and looked around the taproom. “Would anyone else like to make a derogatory comment about my future wife?”
    Silence met his challenge.
    Without another word, he strode away, the crowd parting before him. He paused to hand the innkeeper a wad of bills. “For the damage.”
    Jenson nodded, his eyes wide. With one last warning look at the patrons, Rogan left the inn.
     
    Having discharged her duties to both her coachman and Mrs. Trenton, Caroline sat back in her carriage. Her last errand had involved visiting the local modiste to be measured for her wedding dress. Mrs. Denworthy had her measurements, but she had wanted Caroline to try on the basted garment so as to make sure it fit perfectly for the most important day of her life.
    As she had stood there in the white and silver wedding dress, the magnitude of it all had finally hit her. Come Friday, she would be a married woman. Her life would change forever.
    She didn’t know if she was ready for the change.
    She glanced out the window, then sat up straight as she noticed Rogan storming down the street. He looked neither right nor left, merely forged ahead with the intense concentration of the soldier he had once been.
    And his hand was bleeding.
    “Dear God,” she murmured. Her first instinct was to duck inside the carriage and pretend she hadn’t seen him. In what wickedness could he have indulged to cause such an injury? But then she remembered her resolve to take back control of her life. This man was going to be her husband. She would face him no matter what his mood or state.
    “What is it, my lady?” her maid, Marie, asked.
    “I see my fiancé.” Caroline stuck her head out the window and signaled to one of the outriders to stop the carriage. The equipage jerked to a halt a moment later, and Caroline leaned forward and opened the door. “Mr. Hunt!”
    At first she thought he hadn’t heard her, but then he stopped and looked over at her, surprise flickering across his stern features. He didn’t move for a long moment, then slowly he began to approach the carriage.
    “May I offer you a ride, Mr. Hunt?” she asked as he reached her.
    “My horse is at the livery.”
    “I can send one of my men to retrieve it.” He didn’t say anything, just watched her with that implacable expression. “Your hand is bleeding,” she said finally, keeping her voice low.
    He glanced down and flexed his hand, as if surprised to find it still attached to his body. Then he reached into his coat for his handkerchief and slowly wrapped it around the split knuckles.
    “Rogan.” He glanced up, and the ferocity in his eyes startled her. “Come into the carriage.” She gave him a little smile. “I feel safer when you’re with me, especially after my last trip to the village.”
    He gave a jerky nod, and she sat back in her seat as he climbed into the carriage. Marie scurried to sit next to her mistress, leaving the entire second bench free for Rogan. He settled into it,stretching out his long legs, his face expressionless except for his blazing eyes.
    The carriage seemed much smaller suddenly, the intensity of the emotions emanating from Rogan filling the small space with heat. Gooseflesh rippled along her arms.
    “Marie,” she said, “please ride with Billings. And send one of the outriders to the livery to reclaim my betrothed’s horse.”
    “Yes, my lady.” Casting a wary glance at Rogan, the maid scrambled from the carriage, closing the door behind her with a snap. The equipage rocked as she climbed up beside the coachman, and then they were on their way.
    Caroline studied her future husband.