Page 24 of Good Duke Gone Far

Chapter 9

ANYTHINGTOAVOIDTHINKINGabout the sleeping arrangements. Absolutely anything to avoid that wheel of thought.Kat chanted to herself as she stared down at her food.

The innkeeper had followed Quinn’s directives to bring food to their room. Thankfully there was no playacting that had to happen in that space, as she was supposed to be his wife to the public.

His wife. The words rang through, clattering against each bone, humming a song to which she didn’t understand the words.

To be his wife would mean…well, she really had no idea. What were his plans for the future? It’s not like she could ask that now without it sounding conspicuous. Faugh, that! She’d never minced words before, may as well dig deep.

“What are your plans for the future?”

Suffice to say, she had never truly seen him startled until she asked that question.

Droplets of soup sputtered out of his mouth. Kat chose the path of least resistance and shoveled another spoonful into her mouth. The chicken soup was delicious.

“The future?”

“Yes. Your future. What are your plans?” Emphasis onyourwithout being too obvious. “You’re no longer part of the military. I assumed you weren’t going back.” Not that she had given it too much thought as to whether or not he would return to the military. But now that the statement was out in the open, she had perhaps considered him to be a somewhat permanent fixture in the good dukes club. Despite not being a duke himself. Pity that. Maybe.

When she finally made eye contact, she noticed he had an eyebrow cocked at her.

“It’s normal to think about your friends’ plans.” She went to put another spoonful of soup in her mouth and realized that her arm was trapped by its pair rubbing it down. She forced her arm down and took a bite.

“Yes. Quite. Well…” his cocked eyebrow turned into a full head tilt. “Why are you asking?”

“Do I need a why?” She mimicked his retort from before.

“Touché.” Quinn grabbed a roll and tore a piece off of it. “I have some business plans, depending on a few things.”

“What sort of business plans?” It was like coaxing a snake out of its skin before molting time.

“I told you a bit about it before.”

“Oh yes, you’re good at finding people. And getting them to talk. Is that it?”

The roll dropped to the table. “Is that it?” He hummed his displeasure. “I’m not sure what your game is right now, Kat. I thought we were past this defensive stage.”

“I’m not being defensive.” What a dreadful man, calling her out on something so far from the truth. She leaned back and crossed her arms.

“Really?” She watched him lean back and cross his arms over his chest.

“Why are you sitting like that? Are you done eating now?” She had to poke at him.

“Why areyousitting like that?” He nodded his head at her.

Kat dropped her gaze to her own arms. “Oh.” And then she dropped her arms. “Fine. I was just trying to have some pleasant dinner conversation.”So to avoid thinking about the sleeping arrangements happening in a few minutes.A thread of excitement–or was it trepidation–started in her toes, and as it was pulled through her, as if by his hands, she shivered.

“This is pleasant dinner conversation? Alright, let’s proceed then. Yes, finding people and getting them to talk is what I’m good at. I didn’t think I had to mention it, but I suppose I should, it’s notallthat I’m good at. As you know from personal experience.” The discarded roll was torn into bits, and a couple of those bits found their way past his supple lips.

Supple lips? What the hell was she thinking?

“Yes, I do know.” The soup was growing cold. Her body growing hot. She needed to regain control. “I suppose that’s more than can be said about this defective Bow Street runner my parents hired to investigate the Scottish duke we’re after.”

“Yes, about that. England really needs a better system for policing people’s actions. Something more centralized. With higher standards.”

Kat wanted to scoff. But it didn’t feel right. He was opening up about something, and she could tell it was important to him. “You’re seeing into the future.”

“Perhaps.” He took a sip of wine. “At least, I’m trying to see into my future. Make some plans. Make something of myself. Like Gregory, Jonathan, Elliot.”

---