by Dawn Brower
The duke had glared and then stomped away from her. He’d returned with a gown he somehow managed to purchase. She wanted to know who he’d managed to talk out of their clothing; it made her feel a little guilty for not thinking ahead. At least they were compensated for their loss... The dress didn’t fit her as well as she’d like, but she couldn’t complain, considering.
Hell, of course she could and would every opportunity she found. The duke could’ve let her wear pants. They were more comfortable and easier to travel in. These skirts were too long and she tripped over them when she walked. Did that matter to the pompous jerk? Not one iota. Whenever she brought it up, he claimed it was unseemly for her to travel as a man and he’d not have people staring at them. It would call undo attention to them. She managed to refrain from rolling her eyes. She didn’t tell him that they’d stare no matter what. He was an imposing figure and he drew attention by breathing. Now they were in another town and another coaching inn. Was it too much to ask they stay at this particular one longer than the time it took to change horses?
“Pendlebury,” Brandon finally replied. “We will stay here for the night and travel to Swinton in the morning.”
Thank the Lord...
“The inn has an unfortunate name,” she replied. “What on Earth possessed them to give it such a ridiculous moniker?”
The duke laughed. “I’ll let you figure that out for yourself.”
He pushed the carriage door open and then offered her assistance out. Serenity tripped over the hem of her skirt and fell into his arms. Skirts were going to be the death of her one day, especially this particular one. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he twirled around to set her on her feet.
“Thanks,” she said, brushing down her skirts. “Though I feel the need to point out this wouldn’t be an issue if you’d allowed me to remain in pants.”
“Ladies don’t wear male clothing,” he replied. “I’m not going to keep repeating myself.”
“And yet you do,” she retorted. “Why stop now?” Serenity lifted a brow. “You do it so well.”
The duke didn’t bother to answer her taunts. He brushed past her and headed inside the inn. She was left with two choices: wait outside or follow him inside. There really was no reason to remain where she was unless she wanted to breathe in more dust. The constant traffic didn’t leave much to be desired. It had to be better in the Stallion and Snapdragon. Serenity stepped through the door and halted. The inside didn’t look like a normal inn. If she were honest, she didn’t know what to expect from an establishment with the name Stallion and Snapdragon, but what she found certainly wouldn’t have topped her list.
One side of the room had a tavern of sorts. A bar ran across the far wall with stools sitting in front of it. Several men sat talking to the server behind the bar. All of them had some sort of alcoholic beverage in their hand. A few tables were pushed to the side with sturdy chairs. The hardwood floor was stained in spots—probably from the abundance of alcohol spilled on it. Serenity didn’t want to think about what else had landed on the floor to leave a permanent mark. The men were loud and jovial as they sloshed their drinks back. By the looks of their bright red cheeks, they were all well and truly drunk too.
Serenity shook her head and studied the other half of the room. It had small tables and delicate looking chairs lined up against the wall. Ladies sat drinking from tea cups and nibbling on an assortment of pastries. All of the ladies didn’t appear to notice the ruckus on the other side of the room. Either that or they did their very best to pretend it didn’t exist. The stains that littered the tavern side hadn’t made their way over to the ladies’ side of the room. Serenity was at a loss what to refer to it as. In her time, she’d have considered it a coffee shop, but without the coffee...
A waitress flitted between the two rooms, attempting to appease all of the patrons. They really needed to hire more staff. The owners were working the girl too hard, and she looked ready to fall to the floor. Considering her constant movements back and forth across the two strange parts of the inn, Serenity didn’t blame her.
“I’m in some version of The Twilight Zone,” she muttered.
“Pardon me?” the duke asked. “I didn’t hear what you said.”
“It’s nothing,” Serenity replied with a wave of her hand. “Do you come here often?”
The duke seemed to be in his element in the room. His aura glowed brightly as he studied the area. Something about the place must be part of his plans. Was it a meeting place of some sort? It did have a chaotic element to it that would appeal to a spy. A clandestine encounter could go unnoticed in a place that didn’t know if it was a place that catered to drunks or high society.
He shrugged and told her, “If my traveling brings me in this part of the country I like to stop in.”
“Mmhmm.” Serenity tapped her fingers together. “Care to tell me what we’re really doing here?”
He glanced down, widening his eyes. “We’re here to rest. I believe I’ve already explained this to you.”
She wasn’t buying it for a second. His aura burned brighter with the deflection. It wasn’t a lie exactly. They did have to rest, but he’d chosen to stop at this particular inn for a reason. Serenity planned on figuring out what he was up to before they left. She was rather tired of him keeping her at arm’s length. He’d realize soon enough she wasn’t going to sit back and play the part of lady. Something he should have come to accept already. She had been living at his estate caring for his son for months. The only concession she’d given him was to dress the part of an eighteenth century lady. She couldn’t change who she was even for him. She’d forever be a woman who fully believed in equality and the right to tread her own path—much like any female born in the twenty-first century and several decades before that.
“Your Grace,” she said sweetly. “I’m not a simpleton, and you need to stop treating me as one.”
“And if I don’t?” he replied. He folded his arms over his chest and tilted his head. “What, pray tell, could you possibly do to me?”
She narrowed her gaze and considered her next move. The duke was a man of extreme patience. She might need to start adopting his methods. If she wanted to win, she had to be smarter. The whole time she’d been reacting to everything he did. That was no way to out-maneuver a master spy. Information was power, and her gift gave her the upper hand. If he wanted to challenge her, so be it. Serenity grinned and lifted her chin. “You’ll have to wait and see.”
A servant came over to them and bowed. “Your Grace, we have your usual chamber prepared for you.”
Had he sent word ahead of time? How had they known to arrange it when they’d arrived mere minutes ago? Serenity had to admire a man who planned so far ahead. The duke appeared to think of every possible outcome.
“That is much appreciated Bogsworth,” the duke replied. “I trust it has been set to my exact requirements?”
“Indeed, Your Grace,” Bogsworth said. He turned toward Serenity and asked, “Will you be requiring accommodations as well, my lady?”
The duke opened his mouth to reply, but Serenity beat him to the punch. “Not at all. I’ll be staying with my husband, of course.” She looped her arm through his. “I so hate to be separated from him.”
It was his move now. Would he refute her claim or allow the lie to hold? The muscles in his jaw twitched. His mouth formed a thin white line for a moment, and then he allowed his lips to tilt into a smile. “Her Grace is correct,” he said. “We’re newly wed, and it’s the beginning of our honeymoon.” The duke turned toward Serenity and said, “Bogsworth is the owner of the Stallion and Snapdragon.”
That had to have been difficult for Branterberry to utter. Serenity almost felt sorry for the duke, but refused to waste that particular emotion on him. He was getting his just desserts. “Brandon...,” she said, tasting his first name on her tongue. She’d refused to use it before, hoping he’d ask her to do so. “...has been raving about your establishment fo
r weeks. It’s one of his favorite inns in all of England. I must say, I’m fascinated by its design. Wherever did you come up with the idea of dividing it into two different types of business in the common room?”
Bogsworth beamed at her praise. His aura brightened to a dark red as he started to talk about it. “It’s my wife’s idea. She thinks a lady should have a space of her own, even out in public. We’re hoping to expand and have the rooms entirely separate at some point. Unfortunately, it can become rather loud at times when we’re at full capacity.”
Serenity could see the potential. “And the name?” She still thought it rather unfortunate, but now that she’d seen the inside, it rather made sense.
“It represents my misses and me,” Bogsworth grinned. “I’m the, err...”
“Stallion,” Serenity supplied. No doubt he considered his wife the flower he plundered with his randy nature too. “And your wife must be a force of nature being compared to a flower that resembles the face of a dragon.”
The duke glared at Serenity. He gritted his teeth but remained silent during the exchange. No doubt once they were in private he’d scream at her for impersonating his wife. She was actually looking forward to the exchange. She hoped it proved to be as riveting as she anticipated. She made sure to keep her attention on Bogsworth during their discussion. In reality, the duke held her in thrall and she hummed with awareness.
“Indeed, she is,” Bogsworth said. “I’ll make sure to introduce you to her before you leave.”
What had they been talking about? Oh yeah, his wife. “I look forward to meeting her,” she replied cheerfully.
Bogsworth nodded. “I’ll have one of the serving girl’s show you to your chamber.”
There was more than one serving girl? Serenity glanced around. Huh. There was, but she realized why she’d thought otherwise. They were all dressed in a similar fashion and even had the same dark brown colored hair. They appeared to almost be interchangeable. She studied them and found minute differences. One girl had a tiny mole on her left cheek, and another had a dimple that appeared when she smiled. They may have similar coloring, but they were different if she paid attention.
“That would be lovely,” Serenity said when the duke failed to acknowledge Bogsworth. Was he really that mad about her little lie? It wasn’t like it would force him to wed her in truth.
Bogsworth strolled away and headed in the direction of one of the serving girls. The girl nodded as the owner spoke to her. Serenity glanced away from them and up at the duke.
“You can stop giving me the silent treatment any time now,” she told him. “Spill it out and you’ll feel all better.”
“Oh, I’ll be spilling something at some point,” he agreed. His voice held an edge of amusement and warning—or maybe it was a promise. “And it will assuredly feel more than better when I do.”
She gaped at him as equal parts surprise and exhilaration filled her. Did he imply what she thought he did? Excitement pooled in her belly and she tingled with eagerness. “Don’t make me a promise you’re not going to keep.”
“I don’t plan on it,” he said. The duke leaned down and whispered in her ear. “What I do have in mind should have you running scared.”
He nodded at her and then strolled away. Fool. She had no intention of running from him. She licked her lips and stared at him. He’d given her permission to touch him in ways she’d been dreaming about. Why would she willingly give that up? The duke might be trying to scare her, but he’d done the exact opposite. When she was alone in that room with him, she’d give him a night he wouldn’t ever forget.
CHAPTER SIX
Brandon strolled to the tavern side of the Stallion and Snapdragon. He needed a damn drink. Maybe if he imbibed enough he’d be able to pass out and ignore the urges burning through him. The idea of stripping Serenity bare and kissing every inch of her wouldn’t leave his mind. She’d pushed him too far this time.
He wanted her, but the more he thought about it, it wasn’t a good time. They were on the brink of entering dangerous territory. Bedding her was the last thing he should be thinking of doing. Maybe once they were back at Branterberry... He shook the thought away. As much as he wanted her, he had to abstain until he could be sure she was safe. If she’d share what she knew, perhaps he could stop it and they could head home sooner.
He still couldn’t believe Serenity had claimed to be his wife. What terrified him was that he liked the sound of it. The more time he spent in her company, the more he wanted her to stay with him forever. He’d prefer her to actually be his wife before he seduced her now that the idea had grown on him. Somehow, he doubted that would happen though. As much as he liked to think he could keep his hands off of her he realized that wasn’t going to happen. Once they were alone in a room together it was inevitable. He gestured toward the bartender. The man came over to him immediately and asked, “Yes, Your Grace.”
The Stallion and Snapdragon had a convenient location for a lot of his business, and he came to it more often than he liked to admit. The staff was accustomed to his peculiarities, and in a strange way it was comforting. He didn’t have to explain anything to them because they already knew. Of course, on some levels, it wasn’t good for anyone to have that much information on him. If they’d still been at war, he’d have been more careful. He didn’t work in the war office anymore though. He did more domestic things these days. The home office sent him on other excursions to investigate. He had contacts all over the place, and the higher ups didn’t have issues with utilizing them.
The mess growing in this part of the country didn’t bother Brandon. Surely the gathering of the working class wouldn’t result in anything disastrous. That was a concern for another day; he had something more important on his mind, or rather, someone. He shook his head and returned his attention to the bartender. Generally, when he was at the inn, he didn’t imbibe much, but his circumstances were rather different now.
“A brandy,” he said. “Make it a double.”
The bartender nodded and poured the amber liquid into a glass then handed it to him. Brandon downed it in one gulp and set it down motioning for the bartender to fill it again. He lifted a brow and did as Brandon asked.
“Having that good of a day?” A man sitting next to him asked. He had a slight Scottish brogue that inflected in his words.
Brandon turned to look at the man in question. He had long inky black hair, tied back with a leather band. His eyes were a dark brown that bordered on black. He’d never seen the man before in his life. That didn’t mean the man didn’t realize who Brandon was. Some men tried to find a way into his inner circle. This man could be a gentleman who aimed to become acquainted with a higher circle than he currently traveled in. He couldn’t be certain until he conversed with him a bit. The truth was he could use someone to talk to. He had no idea how to handle a woman like Serenity. Oh, he understood how to make love to her and make her his in that regard. But outside of a bedroom—he was at a loss.
“I’ve had better,” Brandon replied and motioned toward the man’s tankard of ale. “No strong stuff for you?”
“Can’t abide brandy,” he replied. “Ale is a better drink, but if I have to drink something harder, its whiskey for me. My lands border Scotland and its easier to come by.” He shrugged. “Besides, I prefer a clear head, and it takes longer to imbibe a whole tankard.” He gestured toward Brandon’s empty glass. “You keep swallowing your drink that fast someone will be carrying you out of here.”
Sensible. Brandon liked him already. “That’s the truth,” he agreed. “I needed it though. After this one, I’m calling it a night.”
“Female problems?” the man asked.
Brandon groaned. “The only kind that will drive a man to drink—well, debt might, but I don’t have problems of that nature.”
The man nodded. “I have one of those too.” He frowned and then said, “Female that is. She appeared out of nowhere and has been an albatross around my neck ever since. She’s
clueless and needy.”
Brandon barked out a laugh. Serenity wasn’t like that. Sometimes he wished she was. It would be much easier for him to handle. “She can’t be all that bad.”
“Trust me, she is,” he replied. “If I could find a family member of hers, I’d pass her off. But she claims she’s an orphan and has nowhere to go.”
Brandon frowned. “That’s rather sad. At least you’re not throwing her out to the wolves. A female needs protection.”
“Aye,” he agreed. “She’s lucky my mother raised me to be a gentleman.” He glanced across the room and frowned, then turned back to Brandon, “I’m the Earl of Thornbury, but you may call me Killian.”
“Duke of Branterberry,” Brandon said. He considered not giving him leave to use his first name, but he had a feeling they’d be friends before the night was done. “Brandon, if we’re going to use our given names.”
Killian smiled. “You sure?” He lifted a brow. “I can ‘Your Grace’ you ’til you’re blue in the face if you like.”
“I’d rather you didn’t,” Brandon replied. “I have enough of that from the servants.”
There were a lot of benefits to being a duke, but sometimes he wished he could disappear. He woke up every day and did his duty. There was a certain freedom in knowing what he stood for and how he would go about his day. Some people weren’t that fortunate, even a few in his own class. Having a purpose gave him a reason to keep moving forward.
Killian chuckled. “It’s a hard life,” he said lightly. “But someone has to live it. Tell me about your lady troubles.”
He opened his mouth to tell him about Serenity, but found it difficult to come up with the right words to describe her. There were none appropriate enough to bring life to all that she was. “I’m not sure they’re problems or not,” he finally said. “It may be that I’m making it more difficult than I should.”