Although it was early in the day, Preston and Farley, Elizabeth’s groom, took the horse to the blacksmith only to discover that the man would not be able to get to it until tomorrow.
“I swear, my lord,” Farley said, “it’s because we’re English.”
Elizabeth frowned. “But Preston’s French is excellent.”
“Oh, aye, he gabbered at him in French, and that Frenchie smith understood every word, but the minute he says his lordship’s name, the man said he couldn’t do it today.”
She glanced at Geoffrey. “You go on. I can wait until the horse has been re-shoed.”
“After what happened the last time I left you?” He raised a brow. “No. I shall wait with you. The countryside is not safe. If we are not to have the protection of the troops, I would rather we stayed together.” Leaning over, he kissed her. “I am certain Sir Charles would say the same. What I will do is send Farley with a message to him.”
Truth be told, she was glad Geoffrey had decided to remain with them. “If you wish.”
The butler made arrangements at the only inn in the village. For some reason she could not understand, the landlady was no more happy than the blacksmith to have their custom. And they looked at Preston and her cook with disdain.
The rooms were small, with dingy walls and curtains that could use a wash. Mrs. Robins, Vickers, and Molly were doing what they could to make their chambers more comfortable when Preston came up to her.
“My lady,” he said in a low voice, “I am loath to tell you this, but they are supporters of Napoleon and do not want us here.”
That raised all sorts of interesting possibilities. “Just how badly does she wish us gone? Will she, for example, try to poison us?”
“I do not think she will go that far, but I plan to be in the kitchen to watch her when she prepares your dinner. She refuses to allow our cook to use the kitchen.”
Unfortunately, the basket of food she had wouldn’t feed all of her household until tomorrow. “Take Kenton with you. He might not speak French, but he has sharp eyes.”
“Cook will be enough, and he knows the herbs and spices here better than we do.”
“Very well.” It had never before occurred to her that someone might want to murder them because they were English.
Geoffrey came up to her as their butler was heading to the kitchens. “Trouble?”
“Nothing we cannot handle.” She grimaced. “They do not want us here, and Preston expects there might be trouble.”
“In that case,” Geoffrey said in a grim tone, “perhaps they will hurry the smithy just to be rid of us.”
“One can only hope.” The corridor seemed colder than it had before. “I am going to see if our rooms are ready. Vickers insisted on using our sheets. She said the other ones smelt of mildew.”
“I’ll be in shortly. I want to make sure our horses are settled.” He pressed his lips together for a moment. “I think Riddle and Farley, when he returns, will sleep in the stable. Such as it is. I’m glad we brought our own feed for the horses.”
After looking at their rooms, Elizabeth found them much improved. She was glad they had their own sheets. When she sat on the bed, it sagged and the ropes creaked. “Well, this will be an uncomfortable night.”
The food was neither plentiful nor particularly appetizing. The bed ended up being so bad that Geoffrey turned the frame over and tightened the ropes.
“I had no idea you were so handy,” Elizabeth said after he’d righted the bed and she was remaking it.
“Even we peers-to-be can acquire skills. I frequently restrung my bed at Oxford.” He watched her tuck in the sheets. “I see you have acquired skills as well.”
“My mother insisted I know how everything was done.”
When she was finished, she perched on the edge of the bed, propped her chin on her fist, and smiled. “It is truly fascinating the things I learn about you.”
“Minx.” He grinned, jumped on the bed, and rolled her over with him. “I’ll show you fascinating.”
* * *
Only an hour after they’d left the inn the next day, Geoff began getting a bad feeling. It started with a tingling on the back of his neck as if he was being watched. That put him in mind of the conversation he’d had with parts of his staff.
It wasn’t only the innkeeper and blacksmith who had not liked having them there. His male servants reported that the villagers hadn’t wanted them there either.
