Elizabeth Drake

Chapter Six 2

The journey seemed to take forever. The endless scenery of rolling hills and lush trees began to bore Elizabeth as the carriage moved forward. The fact that she had not eaten for hours began to irritate her stomach.

There was a small insignificant click every time the back wheel turned in a full circle. Elizabeth had counted the clicks over and over until the sound drove her insane. However, she was not about to ask Ryan to stop the carriage. She had no intensions of provoking him. Enduring the journey in silence for what seemed like an eternity, the pain in her stomach and the infuriating click finally drove her to lean out the window.

“Mr. Hawke,” she called quietly. When there was no answer she called again. “Mr. Hawke?”

“What is it?” His voice was not nearly as harsh as she expected it to be. She looked out at the trees that lined the road once more.

“There is a small town up ahead. They have a market and an Inn. Would it be possible to stop for just a moment?”

“We are almost halfway to Caterwood. Can it wait?”

The question bothered her a little. If it were not vitally important, she would not have asked, but lack of food was making her weak and there were other things that she needed to attend to as well.

“I am afraid it can’t,” she replied.

Even though he was completely out of her view Elizabeth could almost hear the comments that he wanted to say to her. Unfortunately, she did not care. Elizabeth returned to count the click of the wheel, until the carriage ventured off the main road and headed toward the small town.

Ryan drove the carriage to the front of the Inn before he pushed the brake forward and slowly hopped off the seat. The cushioned bench was held above four thick springs that reduced the shock from the road, but it was still a bumpy ride. When he came around the side of the carriage to open the door, Elizabeth was gathering her boots and one of the paper packages in her arms.

“What are you doing?”

“I cannot wear this thing anymore.” Elizabeth placed her foot on the step and held on to the side of the carriage as she stepped onto the damp road. Ryan had not noticed that the front of the gown had been stained with blood. It was not a gruesome amount, but it was more than enough to bother a young woman.

“Alright,” he nodded his head as he looked toward the market. “But hurry up.”

“I will,” she reassured him.

The edge in his voice was not as sharp as it had been. The subtle difference made her more much more comfortable. Elizabeth looked down at his hand and saw that most of the blood had dried to a dark brown color around his knuckles, but as Ryan saw the direction of her stare, he turned his hand away.

“Go on,” he said in the same easy tone.

She did not mean to stall. Elizabeth looked up at him for a moment. The depth of his dark eyes did not seem as frightening as they had before. Then, the memory of him walking into the bank invaded her mind. Had he not shown up when he did, there was no telling what would have happened. Elizabeth opened her mouth slightly, but somehow the words ‘thank-you’ didn’t seem to have enough weight.

“Mr. Hawke,” she began. It was unintentional, but Elizabeth found herself staring. Ryan’s beard was something that she had never noticed before. The sides of his face were shaved clean and the hair was perfectly groomed to surround his lips and his chin. Although she had always found herself attracted to men with fuller sideburns, Ryan’s beard was undeniably attractive.

“We need to be on our way,” Ryan reminded her. The softness of her eyes held his attention for longer than he would have liked, but he was quick to push it aside. “Go on.”

Elizabeth turned toward the Inn and carried her dress and boots with her. Stepping over a large puddle, she hurried into the building. It was easy to ask the clerk for a room to change in. The stains on her dress drew a little attention. However, it was just awkward enough to keep her mind off Ryan.

After several minutes of waiting, he was becoming less patient. Women’s clothing was complicated, but they were still in a hurry. If she would not have walked out of the door when she had, Ryan was ready to go in after her.

“Did you need anything else?” He asked as he stepped down from his seat and opened the door for her. The white dress looked like a pillow in her arms as she dangled the shoes in her fingers.

“No.” Elizabeth lifted the dress into the carriage. “I bought some dried beef.” Holding up two of the largest pieces from wrapped paper, she offered them to Ryan. Lifting his head quickly and admiring the simple blue-gray and white dress that she had put on, Ryan accepted the beef.

“Did you buy that this morning?”

“I bought it just now… at the market.” Elizabeth looked a little confused.

“I meant the dress,” he explained.

“Oh,” she whispered as she touched the ribbon of her new bonnet. A slight blush rose in her cheeks as she lowered her eyes. “Yes, Vincent took me to the dress shop before we went to the bank.” Taking a bite out of the strip of beef, Ryan chewed silently for a moment as she re-wrapped the rest of the beef.

“It’s nice,” he added.

He did not make the comment with any sort of humor in his voice, but he had never said anything kind to her before. She was doubtful that he was being sincere. However, when she looked up at him again, there was a subtle expression in his eyes, and Elizabeth wondered if he had meant what he said.

“We will be there in a little over an hour.” Ryan reached up to the carriage door and opened it for her. “Is there anyone you need to see while we are there?” He was being too polite, and Elizabeth wondered if he was planning something.

“Are you looking for a place to drop me off?”

“Not yet,” he answered. “But it is a good idea, now that you mentioned it.” Ryan looked toward the road at a horse and cart that was heading for the market.

“There is someone that I would like to see, and if we get a chance I would like to go to my house.” Once she was situated inside, he closed the door.

“Let’s get to the factory first,” he said returning his voice to steel.