“Excellent,” Crestwood answered. “We can all go on your errand.”
Chase stopped, drawing in a deep breath, trying to control his intense dislike for this man. Crestwood needed to leave. Immediately. “Perhaps you should secure potential lodging? In case you can’t leave town tonight.”
Ophelia gave a quick nod. “That’s a good idea. It’s a difficult time of day to reach my father.”
Chase turned, taking Ophelia with him. “We should go before it’s too late.”
She nibbled her lip, looking up at him. “Will you be going with them? On the boat?”
He lightly squeezed her elbow. Now was not the time to share that his parents had died in these very waters and he’d never set foot in a boat as long as he lived. “No. I’ll stay here until I return home.”
Her head cocked to the side. “Then I’d appreciate your escort to the butcher, Your Grace.”
He gave a quick nod. “I’d be happy to.” Then he turned to her sister, “Come along, Juliet. We’ll see our new friends in just a bit.”
Juliet gave an audible sigh but did as he commanded. A quick glance back confirmed the three men glared at him. He didn’t care. Let them glare. Just as long as they weren’t anywhere near the Moorish sisters, Ophelia in particular, they could hate his guts.
* * *
Ophelia glanced over at Chase, his fingers sure and strong on her elbow as she continued to bite her lip. Why was he escorting her to the butcher? Why wasn’t he going to his party? Why— She stopped. There was little point in letting all these questions swirl about now, they weren’t likely to be answered.
“Do you think your father would permit me to stay again?” Chase asked, his chin dropping close to her ear.
She turned to look at him, aware of how close their faces were. “I’m sure he would.” She drew in a steadying breath and inadvertently inhaled his fresh sandalwood scent. “For how long?”
He turned down the side street where the butcher was located. “I’m not certain. But I didn’t know if I’d be welcomed back after last night.”
She stopped then, Juliet nearly running into her back. “I didn’t tell him, if that’s what you’re asking.”
Juliet tapped both their shoulders. “We know, though. Adrianna caught you.”
Chase muttered something under his breath that she was fairly certain was a curse word.
“Perhaps.” She looked back at her sister, giving her a glare. “It would be best if you didn’t stay after all.”
“Why not?” He scrunched his brow, staring down at her.
She shook her head, wondering if the man was daft. She hadn’t thought so up to this point but the answer seemed obvious to her. “My sisters are not the best secret keepers. If my father finds out…”
He shrugged. “We’ll deal with that when it comes.”
Well that wasn’t helpful and only added to the questions she was trying to quiet in her thoughts. She let out a small noise of dissent. “How lovely.”
He raised a brow as they entered the shop. “Most women would be thrilled to catch a duke.”
“I’m not most women,” she answered, moving ahead of him toward the counter. The truth was, the entire conversation had her at her wit’s end. Had she wanted to help this man? She’d suspected that was a silly notion, he scrambled all her plans whenever he was near.
He chuckled as she left his side and approached the butcher.
She ordered the meat, though Ophelia had little memory of what or why when their small party exited the shop, Chase once again stationed at her elbow. Though they didn’t make it far.
Outside the shop stood the three lords that Chase had been with in the square. Chase stopped short, Ophelia stopping too and Juliet, once again, bumping into their backs.
“We’ve got a bit of a problem,” Crestwood said, frowning at the possessive hand Chase had on her elbow. “The inn is full.”
Chase paused and she wondered if he were going to answer. Was it her place to? But then he cleared his throat. “Where are your holdings that you came to check on?”
Crestwood narrowed his gaze. “More than a day’s ride south of here. And then we’ll have that much more to sail in order to reach Dover.”