Page 27 of The Marriage Debt
‘After this? Two if we are lucky, three if the weather turns or the roads are bad.’ He regarded her expressionlessly. ‘You think I am being profligate with your money. We have enough to get…to get home and then you will have nothing to worry about.’
Kat looked mutinous as Theo took her arm and steered her firmly towards the inn door. ‘See how you fare trying to get lodgings at a smart inn like this,’ she hissed. ‘You are wearing a coachman’s clothes, driving an old fashioned coach yourself – we will be lucky to be given a garret if they are busy.’
Being turned away was the least of Theo’s worries at that moment, being welcomed with open arms was more of a threat. ‘House!’ He strode forward into the entrance to intercept a tall, heavily-built man who hurried forward, wiping his hands on a voluminous white apron.
‘Excuse me, sir, I was just in the tap and didn’t see you come in.’ He broke off and stared at Theo in the shadowy hall. ‘My…’ His voice trailed away.
‘Your inn was recommended to me,’ Theo said, cutting across the rest of the sentence. He kept his back to Kat and gestured sharply with his hand. The abrupt signal was enough, old Summerhays was no fool and he managed to suppress his surprise at seeing a man who had vanished six years ago.
‘I require a room for my sister and her maid and one for myself and my man. Just the one night if you please, landlord.’
Summerhays nodded briskly, concealing entirely natural speculation about exactly where Theo Lydgate might have acquired a sister. ‘Yes, sir. And a private parlour?’
‘Of course.’
The innkeeper turned to summon a boy to take their bags. ‘Here, lad, the two rooms at the side with the parlour, and then get Molly to bring some hot water up for the lady.’
‘You had better go up,’ Theo turned to Kat. ‘I will order dinner for you.’
Kat paused with one foot on the step. ‘Forme? Aren’t you hungry?’
‘John and I will be going out to dine. I will see you in the morning.’
‘Out? While Jenny and I are cooped up for yet another interminable evening? I want to come too.’
‘That would not be suitable,’ Theo said smoothly, taking her arm again and turning her firmly back to the stairs. ‘Not suitable at all. Now run along, Kat, while I speak to the landlord.’ She might be furious now, she would be even more angry if she overheard the conversation that was about to take place.
Katherine subsided and marched upstairs with her chin up and her back rigid. This was not the place to make a scene.Not suitable,indeed. They were probably planning to visit a low ale houses or a cock fight. Perhaps even acquire some friendly female companionship.
‘Mr Lydgate’s very forceful, isn’t he?’ Jenny observed as the door closed on the pot boy.
‘That is not the word I would choose,’ Katherine retorted. ‘Arrogant and overbearing would fit better. How he managed to keep his pride in check and his tongue between his teeth during his time as a trooper I cannot imagine.’ Her voice softened, ‘But he was wonderful when we were held up, so resourceful andquick thinking.’
‘What happened in the coach? You know, when you were hugging him and your dress was half-off?’
‘It was not half-off, simply somewhat low. And I was only embracing him in relief, nothing more. Nothing happened at all in the coach. I put myself to rights and he brooded as though the cat had got his tongue.’
‘Probably worrying about what sort of reception he’s going to get when he reaches home,’ Jenny said sympathetically
‘If we have enough money to get there after tonight’s extravagances. I suppose the only consolation is that they do not have enough money to get seriously drunk on.’ Katherine unpinned her hair and began to brush it out.
Jenny, who was lifting night things from the valise, looked up with a grin. ‘John took his savings out from under the floorboard in the kitchen before we left. They’ve enough to give themselves sore heads in the morning, I’ll be bound.’
Whatever the state of the men’s heads come breakfast time Katherine’s was throbbing with the effects of a restless night. The effort of self-control was a strain but it would be feeble to give way to all the anxieties wracking her, she could not take out her feelings on her maid and her husband appeared set on staying well out of her way.
When she emerged blinking irritably into the morning sunlight after breakfast it was to find the luggage strapped on and John just giving Jenny a hand to climb up onto the box.
‘Jenny, what are you doing?’
‘I thought I’d have some fresh air again, Miss Katherine, if that’s all right with you,’ the maid responded with a wink and a jerk of her head towards the door where Theo could be glimpsed paying their shot. ‘I enjoyed it yesterday.’
‘Oh, very well. You are looking a little pale.’
Footsteps behind her approached and halted at the sight of John and Jenny already on the box. Katherine bit her lip to suppress her laughter and waited.
‘I will drive, John.’
‘Begging your pardon, sir, but I get sick in the stomach if I travel in a closed coach. Always have to sit on top when I take the stage. Miss Katherine wouldn’t like it, sir. And Jenny’s got a headache again, like yesterday.’
