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He could put her on his horse and they could ride double for a few more hours, but he was just as weary. He prayed his ruse had fooled Fairford.
Bathed in the light of the setting moon, he led them quietly down to the inn, if it could even be called such—it was really only a large house. The windows appeared dark at first, but as they approached, a faint, red glow crept from between the shutters. He hoped there was room for them here. If not, they would have no choice but to continue to the next village or beg lodging at one of the nearby cottages, a dim prospect at this hour.
Rather than knock and risk waking everyone sleeping inside, he eased the door open and peered into the gloom. A man sat near the hearth, feet propped up, head on his chest, snoring gently.
Henry cleared his throat softly, and the man awakened with a startled grunt, quickly reaching down to grasp the wooden club lying across his lap.
“Peace, friend. My wife and I only wish to stay the night,” Henry said quietly, drawing Sabrina into the room.
The man squinted in the dim light, relaxing a little when he saw her. “You have money?”
“Enough to buy a night’s rest and some food, yes.”
“I’ve one room left. You have horses?”
“Yes, tied just outside.”
“I’ll show you to your room and then care for your beasts. It’s late, but there should still be food enough for both you and them. I’ll just have the payment now, if you please.” He held out one hand expectantly, while his other tightened on the cudgel.
Henry eased back his cloak to reach his purse, purposely revealing the gold buttons and costly trim of his rumpled, but still elegant, jacket. The innkeeper’s eyes widened farther as the jeweled hilt of his sword glinted in the firelight.
The cudgel lowered.
“Londoners,” said the man a bit more amiably as he received the coins. His eye fell again on Sabrina and he chuckled. “Fresh from the Green, is it?” Then his brows puckered in confusion. “We don’t get many of you lot through here. Begging your pardon, m’lord, but shouldn’t you be heading south instead of east? Are you lost, then?”
Henry remained silent and held up an additional coin.
The proprietor took the money and turned. “This way, m’lord.”
“I expect my additional fee to include your continued silence, as well as that of your staff, should anyone come asking questions,” Henry said softly, allowing just a slight touch of menace to enter his tone.
“Of course, my lord. I’ll send someone up straightaway to light the fire and bring bedding and whatever food I can find.”
“And hot water, enough for us both to wash,” Sabrina chimed in softly. “With soap, if you have it, and some drying sheets.”
“Of course, m’lady. At once.” The innkeeper bobbed and went to do his bidding.
The fact that it was the middle of the night mattered not, Henry knew. They could have asked for the moon and the man would gladly try to reach it, for he’d just likely paid him more than he earned in a solid month with no vacancies.
It felt so good to be without a horse beneath her rump! The remains of their makeshift dinner had just been removed, and a small tub of hot water stood near the hearth, which now blazed merrily.
Sabrina unabashedly stripped off her borrowed clothes and washed from the neck down, blushing furiously when she realized Henry was intently watching her every move.
“I’ve seen all of you already, you know,” her new husband murmured.
Her cheeks heated further as she wrapped the sheet around her. “Yes, but things are…different now.”
“I don’t see how they could be,” he said, grinning as he came to take his turn. “Did you really think things would change between us the instant the vows were spoken?”
That was exactly what she’d thought. “I thought they might after…after…”
“Such preposterous ideas, Pest,” he chuckled. “When will you understand that I meant every word I said when I promised to love you forever?” When she did not answer, he bent and kissed her gently. “I will teach you to trust in my love even if it takes the rest of my life.” With that, he gave her his back, peeled off his clothes, and stepped into the shallow wooden tub to begin washing himself.
Even as his words stirred up a tender clamor in her heart, a pang of desire stabbed deep into her vitals at the sight of his unclothed form. He was, for lack of a better word, beautiful. Firelight flickered across his taut skin, painting it red-gold, spangling it with bright amber droplets as the water trickled down his muscled back. Her fingers itched to feel the rippling bunch and pull of the sinew beneath.
The instant she touched him, he stilled.
She flinched in panic, pulling back as if burned. Brazen behavior might be expected from a lover, but it
