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breath and very nearly winced when she finally laid her fingertips lightly on his sleeve, for he could feel her touch right down to his groin. For the love of God, when had he turned into such a randy goat?
    He would give his fortune to have Lady Farnsworth turn into the doddering old widow he had thought she would be.
    “The men would be at Harker’s Inn most probably,” Lady Farnsworth said, as he handed her into the cart.
    “Ah,” was all James could manage to say, as he had just seen a flash of leg. Her legs actually rivaled her mouth in beauty. As soon as possible, James extracted himself from all contact with Lady Farnsworth and walked as slowly as he could around the back of the wagon.
    He chanted as he went: focus, focus, focus. And when he finally climbed up to sit next to Lady Farnsworth, he had begun to add numbers in his head. “I’ll go to Harker’s then. You may leave me there, Lady Farnsworth, I’m sure I can find my way ho … back to Chesley House.”
    Or, perhaps he would just sleep at Harker’s. In fact, James decided, he really ought to make sure that he did not spend much time in Lady Farnsworth’s company. He would keep late hours searching the beaches, and then sleep most of the day away at Harker’s. He, of course, could not snub the lady’s generosity, and would have to spend a few nights having supper with her, but he could certainly control his lust for a few hours at supper.
    James kept his eyes forward as he slapped the reins against the gelding that pulled the cart. Except for the directions she gave him to the public house, Lady Farnsworth kept quiet as they jolted over the rutted road. Still, though they did not touch, James could actually feel the woman sitting beside him.
    This was truly an awful predicament.
    James had been attracted to women before, of course, but nothing like this. Holy Mother of God, all he could think about was … James shook his head sharply. He would not even put that abstract idea into a clear thought. He started doing mental lists, fervently. If he were going on a voyage to France, what provisions would he need? That went a bit too quickly, so he began on a voyage to the Colonies.
    They pulled up to Harker’s Inn much too soon. Pru still hadn’t decided on a plan. With every bounce in the road, she had held her breath, wondering if the sleeping potion beneath the seat would break, or, God forbid, roll out of the cart.
    Captain Ashley jumped down and nearly threw the reins at her when they stopped. Should she leave? Perhaps she could return in her disguise? No, no, that would be folly. He was sure to recognize her. Her disguise was only meant to protect her in darkness and from a great distance.
    Pru gripped the reins in her hand, then glanced up as the captain said something and turned to leave her. Dusk had fallen. No, she must do this now, here, quickly.
    She urged Beauty around the side of Harker’s, to the posting yard. Little Artie came scurrying up to her as she jumped from the cart. “Aya, Lady Pru, comin’ in for a bit o’a nip?” He peered up at the darkening sky. “Not much time.”
    “Sh, Artie. There’s a new man about.” She fished the sleeping powder from beneath the seat.
    “Ah, the one the Wolf gave the slip to?” Artie winked at her. “He’ll be bustin’ with hurt pride and all, now, wouldn’t he?”
    Pru rolled her eyes. She now wished that the Wolf hadn’t been quite so eager to show up the great Captain Ashley on that cold night months before. “Just put Beauty up for me, Artie, and be careful with your words.”
    She could only pray that the whole town would be more careful. Their good fortune had caused some to forget now and then that they still had to be very careful. Pru held the jar against her waist and hurried up to Harker’s. Her legs felt rubbery as she clattered over the cobblestone street.
    And she knew now, most definitely, that it was not nervousness causing the strange reaction.
    With a heavy sigh,