Cavendish Brothers 01 - An Unintended Journey Read Online Free PDF

oughtn’t to be and their clothing not quite in position as it should have been. If he didn’t guard against the direction of his thoughts, they’d head in a most inappropriate direction, and he’d harden until he was unfit to be in anyone’s presence.
    He balled his hands into fists again, then realized what he was doing and released them. Finally, her eyes met his, though he couldn’t decide if they were filled with fear or hope.
    Please God, let it be hope.
    “ Abby!” Mrs. Goddard admonished. “I must apologize, sir. It seems my daughter has forgotten her place.”
    Wesley never took his eyes from Abby as he spoke to her mother. “There’s nothing to apologize for, madam. Alas, I cannot say how long I shall remain.”
    The bit of hope in Abby’s eyes fled from her alongside twin streams of tears, and she deflated before him like a ruined soufflé. He wanted to say something—anything—to reassure her, but what could he possibly tell her? Now was not the time for false promises. He needed to be sure, entirely certain, before he allowed her to yet again hope for a future with him. His own infinitesimal shred of hope was enough to destroy a lesser man, should it not be realized.
    Before the silence amongst the group turned uncomfortable, a groom came up to Mr. Goddard and nodded to them all. “Your belongings are all aboard, sir, and the horses have been prepared. You may begin your journey as soon as you’re ready.” The groom’s gaze lingered on Abby longer than Wesley liked.
    Thomas lifted a brow and cocked a smile. “Have you readied Mr. Cavendish’s mount as well, Bradford? He’s off to Blacknall.”
    “ Lackey is finishing up with it as we speak.” Then he inclined his head again briefly and backed away. “If you don’t need anything else?” he asked.
    “ That will be all, son.” Goddard took his wife’s hand and guided her towards the carriage and waiting horses as the groom disappeared into the stables. “We should be off,” he called out over his shoulder to his grown children. “I hope you have a productive interview with Lord Fordingham, Mr. Cavendish.” There seemed to be an underlying message in his words, but Wesley refused to dwell on that overlong.
    Thomas Goddard followed his parents, and Robert took Abby’s arm, gently prodding her along. She took a few steps and then stopped, twisting to look back at Wesley.
    His heart leapt to his throat at the anguish in her expression. His leaden feet remained firmly rooted in place. He wanted to go to her. He wanted to kiss away her tears and hold her until they stopped. He wanted so many things that might never be. Wesley fought the urge to ball his hands into fists again. That wasn’t what she needed to see.
    “ Mr.—Mr. Cavendish,” she stammered, after long moments had passed. The space between them felt like a vast breadth, like a crater, far too immense for his tastes. “Will it be another three years before we might see you again?”
    Wesley didn’t trust his voice, but he had to answer, had to respond in some manner. “Do you want it to be so long?” he finally asked, dreading her answer.
    Her expression was indiscernible. Abby stared at him, and then stared some more, until he thought he might go mad with needing her to voice a reply, any reply. Wesley looked to Robert for some guidance as to what he should do, but the brother’s mien was set in stone, unmovable and imperturbable.
    At length, her countenance softened slightly. “Would that it could be much sooner, sir.”
    A great breath filled his lungs, burning as he inhaled from the severe lack of air. “As you wish,” Wesley said.
    And then he silently said the most fervent prayer of his life. He prayed that he could keep his word.
    *
    Abby sat with her forehead pressed against the already dusty window of Lord Pritchard’s carriage. She wiped another tear from her check and stole a glance at Mother, who was fully engrossed in her stitchery on the padded seat