Page 23 of A Much Maligned Miss

“Not if I have anything to say about it.”

“You don’t!” she retorted. “Neither you nor my disreputable brother can prevent me from marrying my one true love!”

Gervaise turned back to an appalled-looking Mrs. Hawtree. “You see, madam? What my family must contend with?”

Miss Chloe Hawtree gave an ecstatic sigh. “Oh, it’s as good as any novel,” she breathed.

“Chloe!” her mother snapped. “You will oblige me by keeping your attention away from our companions.” She looked across at Gervaise. “I thank you for your warning, my lord,” she said stiffly, “and must insist that we keep to ourselves from this point on.”

Gervaise inclined his head. “You are very wise, madam,” he murmured, and reaching into his deep pockets, retrieved the two kittens, passing one to Caroline.

9

They finally reached the outskirts of Bath at half past six that evening after a most trying day. There had been six stops in total and the luncheon they had taken at The King’s Head had not been good. The soup had been served so hot that they had barely the time to wait for it to cool before they were due back on the conveyance and as for the bread it was served with, well, that had been sadly stale.

All in all, Caroline was glad to reach The Red Lion inn. The courtyard was lit up with lanterns, and the place had a smart and well-maintained appearance. The Hawtrees took a frosty leave-taking of them, though Miss Chloe threw a look of admiration over her shoulder which Caroline felt quite embarrassed to receive.

“Thanks for blackening my name as effectively as my mother ever did,” she murmured as Chloe’s stiff-backed mother stalked away, dragging her daughter in her wake.

Lord Atherton looked startled by her words. “I had not thought of it in those terms,” he admitted. “But you have to admit, you had your revenge by wafting those vinegar rags about in a most aggravating fashion.”

“You made me dispose of them at the second stop!” she grumbled. “And Mrs. Dawkins was so kind in preparing them for me.”

“I have an extremely sensitive nose. Besides, when it comes to my stratagem for dealing with the Hawtrees, you have to admit it was better than the alternative.”

“The alternative?” Caroline queried.

“Traveling seventy-seven miles conversing with them,” he shot back.

“Oh, perish the thought!” she answered dramatically. “Imagine having to converse pleasantly with two perfect strangers. The horror!”

He smirked. “I am glad you appreciate my feelings on the subject.”

“Oh, always, cousin.”

They were approaching the inn now. “If I can procure us two separate rooms tonight then you can take the twins with you to keep you company,” he offered generously.

“You are too kind. And what will I do when I get scolded by the maid in the morning for bringing unsanctioned cats into the bedchamber?”

Her words seemed incomprehensible to him. “She won’t scold you. Just tell her who your cousin is,” he recommended.

The man was clearly used to getting his way in all things, Caroline reflected. It was simply unfathomable to him to imagine a world that did not cater to him. This time, to her relief, he was successful in securing Caroline a room of her own.

“Before you get too excited, I must warn you, apparently it is a poky affair up in the eaves and more suited for a servant or a child. In any event it was the only spare room they have.”

“But I don’t mind that at all,” she assured him gratefully. “I am sure it is most suitable for your cousin who is being dragged back to London in disgrace, though it would not do for your lady wife.”

“Well, if, you’re sure. Cousin it is,” he answered lightly.

If she was sure? Caroline eyed him askance. Was he suggesting that she might prefer to share a bed with him again? She felt faintly scandalized though it was probably nothing more than his peculiar sense of humor on display.

“I have a parlor reserved for our private use, so if you would like to meet me there in half an hour, we can take our dinner together.”

Caroline nodded and followed the porter who lumbered up the staircase with her carpet bag in hand. One last look over the balcony showed Gervaise deep in conversation with the landlord. Gervaise. When had she started to think of him as that? He was not really her cousin, she reminded herself, and she needed to remember as much.

He had been quite right about the room. It was dark and cramped with a narrow bed and a rather hard mattress. Still, at least she would have her privacy in here. There was a lot to be said for that.

A maid knocked upon the door and appeared bearing a pitcher of water for Caroline to wash. After divesting herself of her bonnet, cloak, and gloves, she took a quick wash, tidied her hair, and made her way back downstairs.