Unfortunately, after making her way downstairs, she quickly discovered that the extra time spent on her toilette had apparently been for naught. Eager to be underway, Nicholas virtually thrust her into a heavy sable cloak the moment she reached the bottom of the stairs, assuring her that a light breakfast had been packed and awaited them in the coach. As soon as she was settled within the vehicle, Nicholas piled so many furs over her that she was completely covered from the tips of her toes to the delicate point of her chin. “For goodness sake, I am beginning to feel as though I am being buried alive,” she teased, as he added yet another fur to the pile surrounding her. “My apologies, but I am under strict orders from Madeline to keep you in perfect health,” Nicholas told her. “She threatened to disown me if you come down with even the slightest chill whilst we are away.” Ashleigh couldn't help but smile at that, for she could well imagine Madeline ordering Nicholas to keep her in good health. She’d said virtually the same thing to her the evening before, when she’d told her that Nicholas had agreed to allow her to accompany him to Thorn Hill.
