Page 1 of No Ordinary Lady

Chapter One

“Turn in here,” Daniel Dawkin, Lord Scarsdale, called to his coachman as they reached a familiar crossroads.

“We could still go on,” his valet, Sunday Paul, murmured, looking hopefully toward the long, empty road ahead. “There’s plenty of daylight left.”

“No. We spend the night here,” Daniel said firmly.

“But home is only an hour away,” Sunday argued.

“Your ma will still be there tomorrow,” Daniel promised, patting the fellow’s knee. Daniel’s valet was more friend than servant, and he was eager to reach home and his doting mother. Sunday was bouncing in his seat with impatience.

Daniel was less eager, although this journey home had been entirely his idea. “Cheer up. It’s just one more night.”

“You keep saying that every time we stop. Lady Scarsdale will be none too pleased by these delays of yours,” Sunday warned.

“Well, my mother wouldn’t have known I was even coming home if you hadn’t written to warn them to expect us,” Daniel shot back. “I told you I’d take care of the matter of informing them.”

“By writing the night before we arrive?”

“My mother didn’t need weeks to prepare her litany of complaints for my arrival,” Daniel replied, his humor for Sunday’s grumbles evaporating. “I’m sure she has made an even longer list since I saw her last year in London now.”

“It’s been five years since you’ve been home to the estate. Maybe she’ll be happy to see you finally return,” Sunday suggested with a hopeful expression, because he must know that would be impossible for Daniel’s mama.

“Once every other year has been more than enough time to spend in close proximity with my mother,” Daniel announced with a nod as the carriage rolled to a stop in a muddy inn yard. “By all reports, the estate has thrived without my personal oversight. Secure lodgings for us.”

Daniel glared at Sunday until he exited the carriage and left him to the task of speaking with the innkeeper to secure rooms for the night for himself and his servants. But it was mostly so Daniel wouldn’t have to look upon Sunday’s disappointed face again.

Daniel had enjoyed his week’s long journey homeward. Sunday had not. They had meandered from London into Somerset, visiting any friends within a reasonable distance from the main roadways.

Daniel had a lot of friends and had taken an abundance of enjoyment in their company.

He’d ate well, slept sufficiently, and flirting with as many pretty women as possible. His journey was almost at an end, but he wanted one more night, more or less to himself.

Eventually, he got out of the carriage too and looked about the village of Wraxall. He had never actually stopped here before since it was so close to home, but would make the time to explore now. He doubted he’d ever have leisure to do so again.

The night before he announced to his family that he intended to marry was his last night of complete freedom as a gentleman. After tonight, he would never be unencumbered by a source of guilt again.

He intended to please himself one last time and then he’d buckle under like all his friends had done recently and devote himself to obeying the whims of just one woman. Marriage was the only reason he’d come home and there was no time for doubts any longer.

Yet they persisted.

He grimaced and then shook his head. Tomorrow he’d arrive home, hopefully at peace with his decision by then, and perhaps mother would actually smile at him for once when he told her his news.

But he wouldn’t hold his breath for that outcome. Mama had not smiled at him since his father had gotten sick and died. From then on, it had been one frown after another and constant disagreements about the careless way he lived his life. It was the main reason he avoided her and the estate. He’d done nothing there that made her happy since he’d inherited the title.

“The accommodation at the inn is not what you’re accustomed to,” Sunday announced when he returned, his expression and manner still sour.

“That actually is the point of staying at unknown inns,” he replied. “It’ll be adequate for one night and perhaps even memorable.”

“I highly doubt that,” Sunday grumbled. “There is only one small room available for the night. I’ll have to sleep in the carriage with the grooms.”

“Those are well-sprung seats in there. A place to rest our heads is all any of us need,” he assured his valet. “We’ll stay one night and then, refreshed, we’ll finish the journey together tomorrow.”

Sunday’s eyes narrowed on him. “Do you promise? No more detours? No more distractions? No more pretty women in your bed that you simply cannot part with after just one night?”

Daniel laughed at the picture he painted. He knew Daniel’s nature very well. “I promise.”

Yet Sunday turned back to the inn with a muttered curse about foolishness and wasting time.