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Chapter Three
By the time Thaddeus guided the horses into the courtyard in front of the country inn, the rain had let up. The air was still heavy with humidity, enough to moisten the uneven cobblestones that comprised the roads in this quaint, but affluent little town. Lady Perdie held herself in perfect comportment, a demeanor at odds with the dress so far soaked with the drizzle that it was rendered transparent enough at the skirt for him to tell the color of her breeches beneath. He was in no better shape, his shirtsleeves clinging to his arms. However, she seemed in less danger of ogling him than he did of becoming captivated by the shape of her thighs.
More’s the pity.
As he tugged on the reins with a light hand, the horses drew to a smooth stop in front of the brightly painted door to the inn. A disgruntled-looking hostler exited from the stables to the north and plodded toward them. Thaddeus tied off the reins but left the instruction of the horses’ care to Lionel.
A lucky thing he didn’t bother himself with it too, because Lady Perdie was already sliding toward the edge of the seat as if she couldn’t wait to be rid of him. He stilled her with a hand on her arm. His fingers were chilled, and he could feel the heat of her through the damp jacket around her shoulders. Leaning forward enough to tickle his nose on the ribbons trimming her bonnet, he murmured, “Wait a moment and I’ll help you down.”
From lowered lids, she shot an assessing look at him. “I am quite capable of dismounting myself. I’m not a delicate flower.”
There was laughter lurking in her eyes and tone. Stupidly it made Thaddeus feel warm.
“Indulge me,” he said, drawing out the words. “You’ll ruin my reputation as a gentleman if you don’t accept my courtesy.”
She scoffed, but it was a soft, delicate sound that reached no farther than his ears. When she didn’t immediately flee his company, he took her silence for acceptance. He dismounted from the driver’s seat and held out his hand to her. She wore a serene expression at odds with the fire in her eyes. His breath caught at such a look. Even the clatter of the hostler pulling out the stairs for the occupants of the carriage wasn’t enough to tear him away.
“Milady?”
Without a moment’s hesitation, she slipped her hand into his. She slid across the bench until her foot rested on the crude stair to descend. Lady Perdie was caught and she knew it. Unless she cared to show off the shape of her legs in those breeches, there was no way for her to descend. He felt a wolfish grin tease the corners of his mouth. Releasing her hand, he gripped her waist and lifted her down, setting her neatly on her feet in front of him.
She cleared her throat and stepped out of his grasp immediately. A pity. The feel of her made his palms tingle. He would have liked to warm his hands on her waist for a moment longer. Without looking at him, she doffed his brown coat and held it out to him on the tips of her fingers.
Loose tendrils of wet hair softened her features even more. Lady Perdie appeared delicate, but he knew of her strength.
Lifting her chin, she said with a polite smile, “Once again I thank you for your kindness, sir. However, here is where we part ways.”
All the earlier softness and laughter had vanished. There was steel and determination in her grey-blue eyes. He took the coat from her fingers and slipped it over his shoulders, shrugging into the wet garment. “It was my pleasure. Now that I’ve seen you safe, I’ll let you regroup with whomever you are here to meet.”
Lady Perdie made no reply to his assumption. After dipping into a quick curtsy, she turned away from him. Her companion and lady’s maid scurried after her as she took loping steps to the inn door. Thaddeus watched her go, noting not only the swing of her hips but the purpose in her steps. She didn’t look back once.
He should leave her be, like a proper gentleman. She wasn’t his responsibility.
However, when his man-in-training stepped up next to him, he found himself saying, “I don’t think she’s here to meet an escort.”
Concern curled through him, and his gut tightened. Bloody damn hell!
Lionel groaned. “Please, Yer Lordship, at least say we’ll keep out of the rain from now on. I’m soaked to the drawers.”
“See to the horses and the clothes I’ll need. You’ll have a hot meal and warm bed tonight.”
With a heavy, wistful sigh, Lionel said, “Yes, Yer Lordship.”
It was a testament to how exhausted the lad must be that he didn’t gripe further.
Thaddeus crossed the courtyard with quick, clipped steps that rang off the worn cobblestones. He hurried indoors so as not to make a liar of himself. The gaudy door opened on a creak swallowed by the din of chatter from the patrons. He scanned the common room from the crackling hearth ringed by old men nursing tankards of ale to the clusters of tables filled with men in common clothes, likely villagers, or nearby farmers. Few women here, save for Miss Felicity and the maidservant wedged into a corner near the hearth trying their damnedest to warm themselves without drawing attention. Where was their mistress?
There—her yellow skirts a touch less transparent now that she’d shaken them out on the walk. She stood stiff-backed in front of a long counter that reached near to her chest. Even without seeing her face, Thaddeus could tell she was locked in a battle of wills with a portly man with thick whiskers and receding hairline. He was scowling down at her. It was not the way a man treated a lady of quality, or any lady for that matter.
Thaddeus lengthened his stride to come within earshot.
Lady Perdie's back was to him, but the set of her shoulders and the way she clenched her hands at her sides spoke volumes. Her voice was calm but lethal, velvet edged in steel.
“Surely I misheard you. You have rooms available, yes? I have the money to pay for one tonight.”
The innkeeper crossed his arms. “You heard me plain, miss. I don’t let rooms to the sort of women who travel alone. Take your business elsewhere. I’ll not have you causing trouble in my inn.”
She sucked in a breath he heard even over the chatter. “Did you just insinuate I’m a lightskirt? I’ll have you know I’m the sister of a—”
