“Yes, please take care of the horses and show my driver where he may get a bite to eat and a place to sleep for the night.”
“Of course.”
Miles handed Olivia and her maid down from the carriage, and they walked into the inn’s common room.
Mr. Hawkins greeted them. “Good day, my lady. Let me show you to your room.”
“Thank you. That would be lovely, and my trunk will need to be brought up as well.”
“Of course. I’ll see to it,” Mr. Hawkins said.
They followed the innkeeper up the stairs and down the hall. Halfway down the hallway, he stopped and inserted the key. “My lady, this room is one of my finest.” He pushed open the door, and Olivia walked in.
She looked around. The room boasted a large bed, a table and chairs, and an armoire. There was also a bowl and pitcher on the chest. “It’s a lovely room. Thank you, Mr. Hawkins,” she said, taking the key he offered.
“A maid will bring up some hot water. Will you be eating downstairs?”
“I’d like a dinner tray sent up, thank you.”
“Of course,” the innkeeper said before turning to Miles. “Sir, your room is at the end of the hallway. Please follow me.”
“Lady Robertson, I wish you a pleasant evening,” Miles said. “Shall we continue our journey after breakfast tomorrow?”
“Yes, that would be most agreeable. Good evening, Mr. Walker.”
Miles followed Mr. Hawkins to the end of the hallway. The innkeeper was correct—the room was only big enough for a bed and a small table with two chairs. On the table was a pitcher and bowl to wash the road dirt off.
“I’ll send the maid up with some hot water. Would you also like a dinner tray sent up?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Mr. Hawkins handed him the key and left the room.
As promised, a maid soon appeared with hot water and a dinner tray. The stew smelled delicious, and Miles realized he was quite hungry, even though Noah’s cook had packed them a picnic basket for the journey. Traveling always made him hungry. On his tray sat a bowl of stew, freshly baked bread, an ale, and a slice of lemon cake.
“I appreciate your promptness,” he said, handing her a few coins.
“Thank you, sir,” she said with a curtsey and left the room.
After washing up, Miles ate everything on the tray with relish. Before he settled in for the night, he walked down the stairs and out to the stables to check on their driver and the horses.
Vulcan whinnied when Miles walked in. He went to the horse and stroked his neck. “Rest well, boy. We’ll be back at Fleming Manor soon enough, where you can run and stretch your legs.”
Their driver had been given a bunk in the hay loft. “John.”
“Yes, Mr. Walker.”
“We’d like to be back on the road immediately after breakfast tomorrow.”
“Of course, sir. We should reach Guilford in four or five hours.”
“Excellent. Get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight, Mr. Walker.”
Miles walked outside and gazed at the stars. He couldn’t help but think back to the last time he viewed the evening sky with Emma. Had she missed him as much as he missed her? It certainly seemed so if her letters were any indication. He patted his coat pocket to make sure they were still there.
“It won’t be long now, my love, before you’re back in my arms again,” he said before heading back to his room.
