Page 62 of Wicked Is the Duke
Chapter Twenty-One
Their trip to Blackmont'sStaffordshire estate ended up being a long, miserable affair. The trip started out with sunny, dry weather but quickly deteriorated. The train ride had been relatively uneventful. A quicker way to travel. It had been an exhausting journey since then. The never-ending rain made potholes in the roads, making the journey all the more uncomfortable. The estate was normally approximately a two-hour journey from the rail station, but in this wet weather it would add more time to their journey. Finally, unwilling to take a chance on continuing in such conditions, Henry said enough, and instructed his coachman to take them to the nearest coaching station.
He helped Anna from the carriage. She lifted her skirts just enough to try and keep them from getting soiled. Inside, the inn was warm, something they hadn't enjoyed over the past days.
The innkeeper greeted them, immediately recognizing Blackmont. To his relief, the man had one suite left, which meant the coachman and others would have to sleep in the stables. Fortunately, they'd done it before and would be thankful just to be dry.
"Would you like a bath to warm you up?" he asked his wife, who was looking around, her attention on the voices coming from the taproom.
"Yes, please, if it's not too much trouble."
They stood behind while his men took two trunks up the stairs. At least they would be able to change and have a chance to warm themselves from the bone chilling weather.
"If Your Graces would like to eat first, I can serve you in the private dining room," the innkeeper said. "It'll take them a while to get the hot water up the stairs."
Henry looked down at his wife, waiting to see her reaction. "That might not be a bad idea. Unless you're too chilled."
She shook her head. "I'm fine. Let's eat first, then I can see to the rest."
They followed the innkeeper to a room just off the taproom. The room was quiet and warm. Blackmont had used the room for the same purpose a time or two on his way to or from his estate. What they served in here was usually better fare than in the taproom.
A barmaid entered carrying a tray with a mug of ale and a glass of wine and set them down in front of them. The innkeeper left, promising to come get them if the bath had been filled before they finished.
Another young woman entered with their meal. Roasted chicken, along with potatoes, bread, and cheese was set before them. He watched Anna take a sip of wine as she waited for the young woman to leave. When she did, Anna rose from her chair, took Henry's plate, and placed potatoes and chicken on it before doing her own plate.
They ate in silence for a few minutes. "This is quite good," Anna said.
"The food is part of the reason I stay here when I'm in this area," he replied.
The rain was still coming down heavily when they were close to finishing their meal.
"How long until we arrive at Hillcrest Manor?" Anna asked as she accepted a second glass of wine.
"If the rain stops, we should get there by mid-afternoon.”
He watched her take a sip of her wine, her lips touching the pewter. "What if we left in the morning even with the rain? How long would it take?"
"That depends on the roads," he replied.
"Then I'll leave it up to your good judgment."
Henry took her hand. "Would you like me to send your maid to the room to assist you?"
She shook her head. "No, let the poor thing have the night off. I think I can manage—with your help of course."
"Let me check on your bath," he murmured. He stood and walked out of the room. "I'll be right back."
He found the innkeeper speaking with one of the serving wenches near the door to the taproom. As the last of the water had just been taken up the stairs to their room, he turned to retrieve his wife. He knew she was still cold and damp. The bone chilling cold wouldn't leave her until she could submerge herself in the hot water.
