Read Never Turn Away (Kellington Book Six) for Free Online Page A

back to his horse, who seemed none too
anxious for his master to mount.  Rocinante met Joseph halfway, patiently
waiting for him to climb on his back. 
    The rest of the ride passed with no further
demonstrations of Kensington’s alleged shooting skills.  He did, however, do
his best to ride next to Evelyn.  While Joseph would have liked to have ridden
on the lady’s other side, he kept to the rear – the better to keep an eye on
Kensington.
    “Evelyn, my dear,” said Kensington.  “I was hoping
to have the first dance with you at the assembly.  Do say you will pencil me in.”
    There was the briefest of pauses before Evelyn
responded.  “Thank you, I will.”
    “Perhaps you will allow me the honor of escorting
you there, as well.”
    Lady Evelyn hesitated enough that Joseph felt it was
only proper for him to step in.  “I am afraid that will not be possible, since
I am escorting her.”  He was only doing it for her protection, of course. 
Until he ascertained Kensington’s suitability, he did not want to leave them
alone at night, even with a chaperone.  He would not put it past the clod to
compromise Lady Evelyn and force her into marriage.
    Kensington looked none too happy.  “I was unaware
you’d been invited.  Or will you be attending with the servants?”
    Lady Evelyn moved her horse away from Kensington, falling
back so she was riding next to Joseph.  “Inspector Stapleton is my guest.  I am
looking forward to introducing him to the people of Caversham.  Ah, we are
nearly home.  Do not worry about escorting me up the drive, Mr. Kensington. 
The Inspector shall see me safely home.  Thank you for a lovely ride.”
    Without giving Kensington the chance to respond, Evelyn
cantered down the drive, with Rocinante automatically keeping pace with her
horse.
    “Would you like to come in for tea?” she asked
Joseph once they’d reached the house.
    “I would like to very much, but I thought to go into
the village.  There are a few items I forgot to pack.”
    “If you would like an escort, I can accompany you.”
    That was not a good idea.  He was all too aware of
the odd twinges he’d been feeling about her.  Twinges that went beyond his
physical attraction to her.  “I would not wish to keep you out in the cold.”
    “I am country-bred, Inspector.  I am used to the
cold.”
    It was not lost on Joseph that despite his
misgivings, he was happy he could continue to be in her presence.  “Then by all
means, my lady, let us be off.”

 
    CHAPTER FIVE
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Joseph had asked whether she was too chilled to
accompany him.  But though the weather was quite cold, Evelyn was becoming
warmer by the minute.  How could she not be, riding next to the quiet, imposing
and devastatingly handsome Inspector?
    He rode his horse well and she wondered whether it
was his natural athleticism that enabled him to do so.  For on the few times
she’d been to London she’d done no real riding to speak of.  She imagined his
work at Bow Street involved more foot chases than long gallops on a horse. Yet
he rode Rocinante as if born to it.
    She thought about their outing with Kensington. 
She’d felt sorry for Joseph making his way through deep snow drifts that were
probably unfamiliar to him as a city dweller.  She’d also been impressed by how
well he’d held his tongue with Mr. Kensington.  She really should find a way to
dissuade the young man from his suit.  She’d had serious doubts about their
compatibility previously, but his shortcomings were particularly evident when
measured against Inspector Stapleton.  And Kensington’s shortcomings were
hardly just physical, though the height disparity had been rather evident. 
Kensington’s callous attitude toward hunting had sickened her and his
ineptitude with a rifle made her frightened for whomever had the misfortune to
go hunting with him in the future.
    Evelyn and Joseph – she’d said his name in the
privacy of her