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Who knew how long she had been stuck out here? Had she been frightened? Approached by strange men offering aid? Had she been foolish enough to take it? As boldly as Chastity had stepped into the role of servant, it did not change who she was—a rich, spoiled young woman who had suffered few—if any—setbacks in life. She could not fathom the depths people might go to in desperation.
Valentine pressed a finger to his lips. He had to find her.
Swinging back into the saddle, he urged the horse on until the inviting glow of the windows of a coaching inn flickered through the trees. He’d never stopped at The Red Lion but perhaps Chastity had gone in for help or a ride home. If she had, someone would have noticed.
Even in her plain cotton gown, Chastity would draw attention—most especially from men deep in their cups. By the sounds of the tinkling piano and the raucous singing, plenty of the inn patrons were so deep they’d need a ladder to climb out of their stupor.
Lips pressed tightly together, he settled his horse with the stable hand and walked around the front of the brick building. Likely expanded several times, the tavern’s offered ramshackle appearance of different blocks attached to one another, topped with sloping tiled roofs. He ducked under the low door lintel and the scent of sweat, hops, and straw tangled about him.
He paused to eye the singing crowd—their attention fixed upon the piano player. Men and women swayed and drank in between bellowing out lines from the bawdy country tune. Several sat atop the tables and bar to get a better view of the person at the piano. Valentine rose on his toes but could not see who had them so entranced but he had to admit they were an excellent player.
Good Lord. He hoped Chastity hadn’t set one toe in here. She would not have lasted a moment.
He inched around the room, pressing behind the backs of the patrons to make his way toward the bar, and catching the barmaid’s eye. She smiled seductively, swiping a tongue over her bottom lip and straitening her gown to draw attention to a generous cleavage, then headed toward him. “How can I help...” She glanced over his attire. “My lord?”
“I’m looking for a woman. Dark hair. Extremely attractive.”
“But of course you are.” The woman nodded toward the piano player. “No other woman stands a chance with her in here tonight. She’s not yer wife, is she?” She clicked her tongue. “No, must be your mistress gone astray, eh?” She lifted her shoulders. “I wouldn’t leave you if I were yer mistress, my lord.”
Valentine scowled and peered around the side of the crowd, then cursed. Loudly. Crassly.
The barmaid snickered. “I think that word is on a lot of men’s minds tonight.”
