Page 12 of No Duke of Mine

CHAPTER FIVE

The first coach from London arrived without warning early the next morning, dropping only two passengers at the inn but confirming the road behind was clear. Excitement surged, and the delayed carriages were prepared in a flurry of activity while travelers gathered outside in the mud, eager to be away.

Maggie joined the line of travelers attempting to board the first coach headed for London the next morning, only to be disappointed when it filled too quickly.

She hugged her travel case close to her chest and shuffled toward the next coach, determined not to have her sole possession wrested from her grip in the confusion and lost forever. She could not afford to lose what little the case contained.

The second carriage was declared ready for boarding quite quickly, and the crowd surged forward. Maggie was swept along with everyone else, desperate not to miss her chance for a seat inside, out of the weather.

She struggled to make headway, only to suddenly be wrenched out of line—lifted off her feet, in fact—and deposited to the side, where it soon became apparent that she would now be the last to board and have to cling to the back of the carriage.

She turned, irritated, and found herself gazing into the equally irritated eyes of the Duke of Ravenswood.

“And where are you going this morning—without saying goodbye, I might add?”

Dear God, Algernon had grown into a bossy devil.

“I am continuing toward London, of course,” she said, pointing obviously at the carriage that was now almost full. She wrenched her arm from his. “I might have had a place inside, too, if you had let me go!”

He glanced at the carriage and frowned. “I am not letting you board a carriage like that,” he announced. “Not before you give me a chance to talk about yesterday’s kiss.”

Maggie peered down the empty road, filled with exasperation. “You’re regretting that it happened at all, and you’re about to beg my forgiveness and swear it will never happen again?”

“I regret nothing, but I will behave if you ask me to.”

She glanced at him in surprise, but then shook her head firmly. “Goodbye, Ravenswood.”

He caught her arm, preventing her escape.

“Look, there are only two coaches, and the second is nearly full. Who knows when the next one will arrive? I cannot stay here another night just to talk to you.”

“I’m not asking you to, but there are other ways for you to get to where you want to go, and in greater speed and comfort, I might add.”

“How? Where?”

“The carriage you need is being prepared at the stables as we speak. As soon as these two carriages have departed the front of the inn, you will board it—with me.”

“With you? Have you lost your mind altogether?”

“Not yet, but I’m still young,” he promised with a cheeky grin. “You will find my carriage far more comfortable than any other, I assure you.”

“Why would you want me in your carriage?”

“For the same reason you gave me your pillow. Simple kindness. There are still some days of travel before we reach London, and I cannot think of a better way to spend the hours than discussing everything and anything with you, my old friend.”

“That is hardly proper,” she said, astonished by his offer to share. They were not related. They were not anything to each other but very old acquaintances who had kissed on a dare. Well, a few dares, actually.

“There are many ways to get around the appearance of impropriety, and posing as a member of my vast family is nearly foolproof.”

“If I were a member of your family, you’d risk being murdered by me for your high-handed ways,” she muttered darkly.

At that, he only laughed. “Well, I am often accused of being high-handed. However, in this case, it is for your benefit. You might consider traveling with me as repayment for sharing your soft pillow with me last night. I did sleep better for it.”

She smiled briefly, but her stomach pitted, painfully aware that others were listening. She stepped back from the carriage to consider Algernon’s invitation fully.

To travel alone in his carriage was madness. To be seen doing so could ruin her reputation completely. But Algernon was always in a hurry. She could reach her destination so much faster if she traveled with him. To say no would mean enduring lonely days and extra nights at the mercy of innkeepers greedy for her coin.

The innkeeper of the Stag was standing about outside in the sun, watching his paying customers take their leave, receiving new guests…and then he noticed Maggie. He frowned at her. But when his gaze shifted to the duke, his smile brightened. No doubt he was anticipating he’d get more coin from them both.