Page 61 of Miss Wylde and the Wynd

She hadn’t realized that a beard could grow so quickly, not that it was near full, but given the length now, it would not take him long to grow one.

Tension the likes she had never experienced filled her being. A result of worry about Grace and not being in a position to search for her beyond their current circumstances, discomfort from sitting and being uncomfortable, and her unexpected desire for Damian.

She needed to find her sister as soon as they arrived in Liverpool or she might just do something she would regret.

Well, maybe once all had been settled, and Grace was safe and before he left them, she might attempt to seduce Damian.

No! She would not because she would have Grace with her and they would need to book passage on the next ship to Italy and Damian would return to his home.

“We are finally here,” Damian said as the mail coach pulled into a coaching inn.

She couldn’t get off the mail coach quickly enough and then retrieved her valise.

They had left London twenty-four hours ago and she had managed to sleep maybe an hour or two. It wasn’t that she couldn’t have fallen asleep, but after someone had tried to rob them once, she didn’t trust any stranger who rode with them.

Damian had remained awake as well, and likely for the same reason.

Hopefully, their search of the docks would not take long and she’d be able to find Grace and bring her back to an inn where they could both sleep and make decisions for what they would do tomorrow.

“Where is the port?” she asked Damian.

He turned and stared at her. “It is nighttime.”

“I have noticed, but that does not mean we cannot ask after my sister.”

“Those who might know, or who could direct us to a ship sailing for America will be at home. We will go in the morning.”

Georgie wanted to argue with him but knew that he was probably correct.

“What do we do now?”

“I am going to see about a room for the night.”

“Would you get me one as well.” She had been able to save her funds because Damian had paid for everything so far, which meant that she could afford a night in an inn.

Oh, she would love to be able to wash and then sink down into a soft bed. Could she do that here? “I would like to bathe as well. Do you think that would be possible? Or should I request a pitcher of water.”

That was probably the best way. Simply wash. She would find a way for a proper bath later.

“We are getting one room,” he said, staring her in the eye.

Her heart skipped. Was there a possibility that they may…

“I do not trust that you will remain safe when all manner of men come in and out of the inn or spend hours in the tap room. If anyone with ill intentions learned you were alone, he might get the idea to disturb you.”

She had not considered that possibility but could she sleep in the same room with him without…?

The carriage ride had been difficult enough and put thoughts and desires into her mind.

But she would set that aside.

Besides, she was exhausted and as much as she would like to argue with Damian and insist that she would remain undisturbed and keep her door locked, she recognized the determination in his blue eyes enough to know that he would not be swayed so she simply accepted his decision.

Georgie waited off to the side as Damian requested a room. She could not hear the conversation, but she assumed he was asking for a room for him and his wife.

When he returned, he escorted her up a set of stairs. “I have requested water so that both of us can wash and dinner to be delivered so that we do not have to return downstairs.”

For that she was grateful. She had already spent too much time with strangers and would like to be alone.