Read The Earl's Christmas Delivery for Free Online Page A

of course that is what you meant."
    "Of course. What other list is there?"
    "None! That is, nothing. There is nothing further on Estelle's list."
    " Nothing ? You mean those sweet-smelling mince pies were the last item you needed to get?"
    "Yes. There are several parcels of toys I had already collected and stowed in the wagon, but the golden trinkets and the spicy sweets were the last items I needed."
    "I see. So we are truly on our way then."
    "Yes. We have been for some time."
    "Good. I'm sure we are both more than eager to reach our destination. How much farther will we travel today before we must rest for the night?"
    "It will be just before dark when we reach Basingstoke. Do you think your pony can manage that far with a minimum of resting?"
    "I've been watching her. She seems to be faring well enough."
    "And you?"
    "I'm quite well, thank you. Now that the rain has let up, I'm very nearly comfortable."
    He knew that could not possibly be the case, but he appreciated that she did not insist upon whining the whole way of their journey. Nor was she making a fuss about their overnight arrangements. Surely she could not be entirely at ease with the notion of spending the night in some strange inn with a gentleman she'd only just met.
    Or was this nothing out of the ordinary for her? He couldn't imagine Estelle would invite an easy woman to be a guest in her home and attend any part of her children's education. Still, Miss Meriwether had not batted an eye at the notion of traveling unaccompanied with him. What was he to think of her?
    He could not be certain. All he did know was that he couldn't help but think of her. Everything about her appearance spoke well-bred gentility. Her posture was good, her language was cultured and proper. Yet here she sat, cold and still damp from the rain, yet uncomplaining and serene. She was unlike any woman he'd encountered and he had to admit he found that fact alone more than a little off-putting.
    He preferred to know exactly where things stood with a person. Miss Meriwether, however, was an enigma. He did not know what to expect from her and he did not quite k now what she expected from him. He didn't like the feeling of uncertainty that produced in him. It almost made him feel as if... as if he were compelled to figure her out, to make sense of her.
    And he'd known for a good number of years now that trying to make sense of a woman could only lead one into trouble.
    "Oh, but look!" she said.
    He was startled. Not simply because he hadn't expected her to call out that way, but because he realized he'd not been seeing the road in front of them even though he was staring right at it. He'd been picturing her features, the glimpse of a most delightful ankle he'd caught when she'd climbed into the wagon, and contemplating whether to describe her eyes as more of an ocean-blue or a sea-green. He'd been leaning toward sea-green and was contemplating glancing over at her to get another look so he could decide for certain, but now she was pointing at something up ahead of them and he was forced to distract his attention toward that.
    It was a carriage on the side of the road. Somehow the thing had been turned over onto its side, the horse still caught in the traces and struggling to right itself. Two young men moved about, clearly trying to calm the horse so they could save it but, apparently, having little success.
    "Oh, you've got to help them!" Miss Meriwether cried. "The poor creature . He seems terrified."
    Myserleigh didn't have to pause to consider. Instinct had already spurred him to action and he was pulling his own horse up to a halt. He secured the wagon and hopped out, running ahead to offer assistance.
    "Cover its head," he ordered . "You've got to get him calm or he'll break his legs from all that thrashing."
    Not sure if the young men heard his advice in all the chaos, he peeled off his own coat and moved around to the front of the animal. It was screaming and lathered up, down on its