Page 36 of Ties of Legacy

It had been far enough from the market to the inn to make that a more impressive proposition than Elliot’s bland words suggested. And he had already been sore from his tumble on the road.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I should have considered how many traders come across the river for market days.”

She had felt so superior after Elliot’s mistakes on the road, but she’d just been reminded that for all her experience, she could make them, too. It was never a good idea to get complacent when you were traveling. As soon as you got too comfortable, something unexpected happened. It was one of the things she loved about her life.

“It was an easy mistake to make,” Elliot said. “But it seems no harm was done.” He hesitated. “But about tonight…”

She sighed. “You’ll have to stay here with me.”

“I could take the lamp to my room,” he said hesitantly.

Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. On the one hand, if he wanted to take the lamp and run, he could have done it while she was asleep. But on the other hand, maybe he had stayed on purpose to gain her trust. If she handed over the lamp now, he would have all night to put distance between them before she realized he was gone.

He had caught her in the market and carried her all the way back here, and then he’d watched over her while she slept. She didn’t think he was untrustworthy. But still that kernel of doubt lingered, and it was enough to make her hesitate.

“Well, I guess it’s sharing a room, then,” he said, not showing the offense he might have legitimately claimed. “It’s not really any different from sleeping next to the same fire. And I’m guessing you’ll want to check on Nutmeg, so I’ll use that chance to fetch my bedroll. That rug should be no less comfortable than the ground we’ve been sleeping on recently. Probably softer, in fact.”

Avery winced. Elliot had already been sore when they’d arrived, and his muscles must ache after carrying her so far. He had been looking forward to a proper bed, and now he was going to be back on the ground.

“You should take the bed,” she said quickly, sliding off it. “You need it more than me.”

Elliot shook his head, a stubborn set to his mouth. “I’m the one who foisted myself on you for this trip. My tie to the lamp is my problem, so you shouldn’t have to give up your bed.” Something in his expression softened. “I know you’ve been looking forward to it.”

Avery opened her mouth to remind him of his sore muscles, but there didn’t seem much point. He wasn’t likely to have forgotten about them.

“We’ll share, then,” she said instead.

“What?” Elliot stared at her, his eyes wide, before slowly looking at the narrow bed.

Avery flushed. “I mean, we’ll take turns. We’ve both been looking forward to a proper bed, so we should both get a chance to enjoy it.”

“Oh. Right.” Elliot nodded forcefully. “That makes sense.”

Avery smiled triumphantly. “Since I’ve just had a turn, you can go first. Then, halfway through the night, we’ll swap.”

Elliot looked like he wanted to insist she go first, but she didn’t intend to budge. She was betting that once he sank into that soft mattress, he wouldn’t wake up until morning. And by then it would be too late for him to protest.

“I suppose we both need to bring our bedrolls in, then,” he said, apparently recognizing the determination in her eyes.

She nodded. “And I want to check on Nutmeg.” Her stomach gurgled, and she patted it. “And find some food, apparently! As if I hadn’t just eaten far too many buns.”

“Actually it’s been a while since we ate those,” Elliot said. “A meal would be welcome.”

They ate together in the inn’s dining room, and the food was almost good enough to make up for missing out on a night in a proper bed.

“I would usually visit the women’s bathhouse next,” she murmured after she’d polished off the last bite of food.

Elliot looked up in alarm. “Please don’t make me lurk awkwardly outside the women’s bathhouse! Someone will run me out of town, and I’ll end up so far from the lamp that I’ll drop dead—and it will be all the fault of your cleanliness. Do you really want that on your conscience?”

Avery stifled a laugh. “Fine, then, I’ll give up the hot bath as well.”

Elliot instantly looked contrite. “If you really want to go, I can try to find somewhere unobtrusive to lurk.”

“You do know that would make it worse, right?” Avery said with a gurgle. She led the way up the staircase. “I can survive without a visit to the bathhouse. We’ll be back on the road tomorrow, and I can wash from the stream like I usually do.”

“You should at least let me sleep on the floor first,” Elliot said as they entered the room. “To make up for missing the bath.”

Avery shook her head. “It’s your turn, remember?”

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