Page 75 of Regency Whispers: Scandalous Matches

The innkeeper’s eyes narrowed and Tom glanced down, realising in his current state he didn’t look particularly trustworthy.

‘My sister,’ he said in explanation. ‘She is returning to our home in Bath but I have some sad news of a relative.’

‘I see, sir. I can deliver a message to the young lady and see if she wishes to meet with you. Excuse the caution, but you can’t be too careful these days. There are so many ne’er do wells about.’

‘Thank you. Perhaps you could arrange for some hot water so I can clean up before dinner.’

‘Of course, sir.’

The innkeeper disappeared for a moment, shouting instructions to a weary-looking maid before reappearing with a bunch of keys. He led Tom upstairs and down a narrow corridor to the room at the end.

‘I only have our most expensive room left,’ he said as he opened the door.

‘That is fine.’

It was a good-sized room with a four-poster bed and an arm chair in front of the fire. There was no blaze burning in the grate but the wood was piled high, ready to be lit.

‘I will send Sally up to light the fire and bring you some hot water.’

‘Thank you.’

Tom waited for the innkeeper to leave before sinking into the chair and kicking off his boots. He felt restless, as if he wanted to pound on every door, shouting for Jane, but knew he needed to be patient. In a few minutes the innkeeper would deliver his message and Jane would agree to meet him. After chasing her for a day, he could wait another half hour.

Glad of the warmth when the maid arrived and started the fire, he unpacked the small bag he had travelled with. It contained only a single change of clothes. He hadn’t expected the weather to be quite so foul, and in his haste he hadn’t thought ahead to what would happen if he didn’t catch up with Jane in one day.

Soon the maid reappeared with a steaming bowl of water and he set to work, peeling off his wet clothes and hanging them up to dry. When he had stripped down to just his breeches, he took a moment to stand in front of the fire, feeling the heat seep through his skin and start to warm his core.

The hot water was bliss and he was grateful to be able to wash away the grime and mud from the day. As he stood in front of the mirror combing his hair, there was a soft knock on the door. Thinking it would be the maid or the innkeeper, he called for them to come in, not bothering to reach for a shirt.

‘Oh, you’re naked.’ Jane’s voice was shocked, but he barely even registered the tone, so glad was he to see her.

‘Hardly,’ he said, indicating the breeches.

She coughed and then slowly raised her eyes to meet his.

‘Perhaps I should come back later.’

‘You are not going anywhere,’ he said, adamant now he had found her he was not going to let her out of his sight until he had said all he had come to say.

Striding over to the door, he ushered her inside and closed it firmly behind her, turning the key in the lock so no one could burst in on them.

‘What are you doing here, Tom?’

‘You ran away.’

‘I didn’t run away. I decided to go home.’

‘Without telling me.’

‘It is no longer any of your concern what I do.’

There was a flare of defiance in her voice but he could see she was sad too.

‘Of course it is,’ he said, and then forced himself to breath slowly. There were so many things he needed to say to her and it was vital he did it in the right way. ‘Will you sit down? I would like to talk to you, properly, without rushing.’

She hesitated and then went and perched on the edge of the arm chair by the fire. Tom took a moment to look her over. Her eyes were red-rimmed, and he wondered if she had been crying, but apart from that she looked well. He didn’t know what he had expected—perhaps that she wouldn’t cope without him, as he felt he hadn’t coped without her, but at first glance she seemed to be fine.

He took a step towards the bed and then sat down, wishing he was closer but knowing Jane needed to hear his words before he reached for her hand.