Homespun Bride

168 Homespun Bride“Henrietta,” Noelle interrupted. “I’m fine. You frettoo much. You know I love a good storm.”“You must get your lack of good sense from yourmother’s side.” With what looked like a wink, the olderwoman climbed out of the sleigh, refusing the offer ofhis free hand to help her.If he wasn’t mistaken, there was a twinkle in hereyes, a knowing glimmer that made him wonder justhow much she’d been able to understand.Yes, he was serious about Noelle. It ripped his soulin pieces to feel her take her hand from his, to take astep away. Was she remembering what he’d done toher? Seeing a man who’d hurt her?“I’d best go.” His palm felt cold as he stepped away.Lonesomeness set in, beating him like the snow. “HopeI didn’t get you in the henhouse.”Her unguarded smile was all the reassurance heneeded. “It was worth it. Henrietta’s censure isn’tenough to go back on your word, right? You’ll still takeme to see the foal again?”“I’ll see you tomorrow.” He tipped his icy hat in theaunt’s direction as he took Miss Bradshaw by the bridlebit. “You’d best all get in out of this storm.” He pausedwhile another finger of lightning crooked down fromthe veiled sky. “It’s likely to get worse before it getsbetter.”He turned away so he wouldn’t see Henrietta Worthingtonand her daughters take Noelle into the fancyhouse and away from him—where she belonged.