Silence was his answer as everyone looked at each other and then Daniel said, “I guess we shall have to start with that and hope we uncover some useful information.”

Richard nodded, and then glanced to Christiana as she suddenly shifted on his lap. He thought she was trying to get off him and grabbed her hips to hold her in place, but found himself staring at her derriere as she leaned down to collect something from under the seat. He quite enjoyed the view and was rather disappointed when she straightened, bringing a large basket with her.

“What’s that?” Robert asked curiously from beside him as she began to dig through its contents.

“We had Cook pack some food for the journey while we waited for the carriage to be readied,” Christiana answered.

“Food?” Richard asked hopefully, his attention immediately shifting to the basket as his stomach growled hungrily. He hadn’t eaten since the stop at Stevanage for lunch.

“Yes.” She turned to peer down her nose at him. “Did you three not think to have a basket prepared before sneaking off like thieves?”

She was still annoyed with him then, Richard acknowledged with a sigh as he shook his head. That being the case, he was sure the women would refuse to share with them as punishment.

He was proven wrong when Suzette suddenly leaned down and dragged out a second basket under the opposite bench seat as Christiana said, “Then

’tis fortunate we brought enough for everyone.”

A kiss on her forehead and Richard’s whispered, “Wake up, sleeping beauty. We are almost home,” are what woke Christiana. Blinking her eyes open, she peered about the dark interior of the carriage noting that Daniel was waking Suzette much the same way, while Robert had leaned forward to shake Lisa’s leg to wake her.

Forcing herself to straighten, she glanced out the window to see that while the sky was lightening, dawn was still a good distance off. They’d made good time, she realized, her gaze moving over the dark buildings lining the road they were traversing. She’s just recognized it as their street when the carriage stopped in front of the townhouse.

Robert was the first to alight. He then offered Lisa a hand to help her disembark.

After the long hours in the carriage, Christiana found her legs stiff and shaky under her when she moved to follow and was grateful for Robert’s hand when he held it out. Even with it, she stumbled a bit, and then gasped with surprise as Richard stepped down and quickly swept her up in his arms.

“I can walk, husband,” she whispered with embarrassment as he carried her up the path to the front door of the townhouse.

“But I like carrying you,” Richard whispered back, amusement in his voice.

Christiana peered at his face in the darkness to see that he was smiling, and then glanced over his shoulder as Suzette stumbled sleepily out of the carriage next. It made her feel better to know she wasn’t the only one unsteady on her feet after a day and night of travel.