“Brighton. We visit a seaside resort yearly since our father died. I bought an apartment close by last year. I am hoping this is where Perdie has gone.”
They walked toward the large doorway and the portly gentleman waiting to greet them which he did effusively. It seemed the duke was known. They made their way inside the inn, which had only a handful of patrons in the common area.
Theo wondered if Sebastian would procure them two rooms. They had traveled for the entire day with little conversation between them to pass the time. She had smartly fitted lacy veils to her hats giving herself a mysterious air should they encounter anyone from their Society in their travels. Though she was a widow and by society’s rules was afforded more freedom than debutantes and young ladies Theo was still careful knowing a ruined reputation would negatively impact those who joined her at 48 Berkeley Square.
The innkeeper slid an indiscreet glance at her then quickly shifted his attention to the Duke.
“Your Grace,” the innkeeper began tentatively. “We are at occupancy. It is only the one room we have available, Your Grace?”
“It will do,” he replied with no inflection in his voice.
That flutter once again went off in Theo’s belly and she was grateful the veil hid her expression.
“Very well, Your Grace,” the innkeeper said, handing him a key. “It is the only room on the third floor with ample privacy.”
The duke then secured one of the common rooms reserved for servants for her lady’s maid, his footmen, and coachmen travelling only a few minutes behind in another conveyance with their luggage.
“Will you be heading down for supper or will you take a tray in your room?” the innkeeper’s wife asked, bustling over and also introducing herself as Mrs. Chambers.
The duke glanced at Theo.
“A tray in the room, thank you,” she murmured.
The innkeeper’s wife led the way up the stairs to an impressive room surprisingly well-furnished, with a large bed flushed near the windows draped with billowing green brocade.
“Hot water will be sent up, mi lady,” Mrs. Chambers brightly said. “And a tray of roast mutton chops, baked potatoes, and shepherd pie. The best in the area.”
“Thank you,” Theo said warmly.
The lady bustled from the room with a jaunt in her step, leaving Theo alone with the duke and her lady’s maid.
“I have no need of you Molly for the rest of the evening. I am fully able to manage a bath and dressing. Go and have your rest and finish the gothic romance you’ve hidden in your skirts.”
Molly smiled and dipped into a quick curtsy. “Thank you, milady.” Turning to the duke, she did the same, and hurried from the room.
The duke sauntered over to the windows overlooking the back gardens of the inn. Thunder rumbled in the sky, a portend of the rain to come. He looked starkly uncompromising and alone. She couldn’t look at him without feeling that irregular skip in her heartbeat.And why should it beat so for you when it has never done so for any man?Theo was certain that a mere glance at her face should let the duke know that the memory of their kiss haunted her for every moment of the day. She wondered if it was the same for him, or had his curiosity satisfied itself?
“Your Grace—”
“You may go ahead and eat without me. I am going out for a walk.” There was a starkness in his eyes when he faced her.
“It is about to rain,” she said, glancing beyond his shoulder to the overcast sky.
“So it is,” he said, taking his leave of her and the room.
Theo stared at the closed door, wondering if she should follow him.And say what?He had not invited her into his confidence. The duke was clearly not kindly disposed toward her, and she was with him for only one reason—he believed her a schemer who very well knew where his sister hid.
With a sigh, Theo pulled the veil and hat from her head, unpinning her hair and allowing it to tumble to her hips in heavy waves. The day had been long, the journey tiring, and she was dirty from travel. The promised bath and a well-prepared meal were most welcoming. Instead of moving behind the screen toward the left corner of the room to start undressing, Theo walked over to the window and looked down.
The rain had started falling in earnest, a few newcomers were scurrying inside while the stable lads hurriedly led horses and carriages away to unharness and comfortably set them up in the stables. Only the duke walked toward the forest edging the property. Theo pressed her hands to the cool glass of the windows, leaning forward a bit. He did not disappear into the woods but stood with both his hands fisted at his hips, his face tilted to the heavens while the rain poured over him.
“The silly man will catch his death,” she muttered, an ache rising inside her heart. “Oh, Perdie, even if he were totally uncompromising surely you must have known your disappearance would have wrecked your brother.” Theo had not thought her a young lady of selfish sensibilities.
The duke turned around, and their gazes collided. Theo jerked back, flushing that she had been caught ogling him so blatantly. Moving tentatively, she leaned forward to see if he had moved away. Her breath caught, he was still staring up at their window, an indefinable expression on his handsome face. Swallowing down her mortification, she lifted a hand in a small wave. He did not return the gesture, and she stepped away, drawing the dark curtains close, shutting out the duke, and the unexpected temptations rising inside.
What would it be like to have a lover?To have someone touch her…hold her in the nights when it was cold and lonely…to be kissed and cherished. As if controlled by another, Theo’s fingers fluttered to her lips and pressed.
Dares are so horribly tempting.