Page 33 of Silence of Deceit
Not to mention she didn’t want his sulky, irritable presence for the next several days of rough travel—or for when she finally faced Shadewell again, her ever-present nightmare.
“You and Marsden are going together, I presume,” Philip had snapped.
“No, I am taking Greer, and Carrigan will drive us. Mr. Marsden and I are no longer going to be associated,” she’d replied just as tartly.
That had calmed him, if only a degree. “Why? What did the cad do?”
“Nothing at all. It’s just…best all-around for us to part ways.” At least that was what she’d been telling herself since dismissing him from her study.
She didn’t need Hugh’s permission to investigate, especially when she was already connected to the crimes.
Philip had softened a touch then. “I agree. Audrey…” He’d taken her by the shoulders. “I do want you to be happy. To feel loved in a way I can’t give you. I promise I won’t stand in your way. However, if we agree to bring a child into our lives, it would not be wise for either of us to involve ourselves with anyone at this point. Especially not someone as disreputable as Marsden.”
The desire to argue with Philip had been strong, and right on the tip of her tongue, but she’d also wanted to part ways for the next several days on good terms, so she’d let it go. Now, however, Philip’s reasoning continued to poke and prod at her. He worried wagging tongues would spread the rumor that the child Audrey arrived home with, from wherever she spent her confinement, would be Hugh’s. It smacked of hypocrisy. The child wouldn’t be either of theirs!
After years of claiming he was fine with not having an heir, now Philip had changed his mind. The feeling of being trapped and backed into a corner made her stomach coil. She had not felt this hemmed in since her betrothal to Bainbury, and after marrying Philip, never thought she would again.
She entered the post-inn with the sole desire to eat and sleep and forget her awkward parting with Philip. The place was busy, with all tables filled and many more travelers standing at the innkeeper’s bar. As she scanned the room for Greer, many pairs of curious eyes shifted toward her. A few stuck, though most lost interest as she searched for her maid. The crisp country November air outside was preferable to the smoky and sweat-filled inn, however a scent of roasted meat underneath it all convinced her not to step back outside and wait for Greer to find her. Audrey took another few steps, turned to avoid running her shoulders into a man—and froze.
Hugh Marsden sat stiffly at a table, his fingers rapping the wood. He glared at her.
“What do you think you are doing, Your Grace?”
He ceased drumming his fingers and pointed to the empty chair across from him. Audrey did not move to sit. The tavern’s smoky air grew cloying and overly warm.
“Traveling, Mr. Marsden,” she replied, hoping her surprise did not show. “Just like the rest of the clientele at this establishment.”
“You thought to go to Northumberland yourself,” he said, still pinning her with a look of irritation. “Alone.”
“I have my maid,” she replied. “And Carrigan. Wait—are you following me?”
“As you can plainly see, I arrived first. Perhaps you are following me.”
Drat the insufferable man! The ache in her back and the cramping of her legs had vanished at the sight of him, but now the throbbing came back to attention. As did the need for a chamber pot.
“If you’ll excuse me,” she said primly, and thankfully caught sight of her maid at last.
She met Greer near the till and learned they had claimed the last available room. Greer took to ordering their meals as Audrey relieved her bladder in the privacy of a cordoned off alcove in the cloak room. All the while, her blood pumped erratically. Cursed bad luck! Of all the posting inns along the Great North Road, Hugh Marsdenwouldhave to stop here, wouldn’t he? She certainly had not thought he’d travel the near three hundred miles from London to Northumberland, which would take at least four days there and back, in order to investigate the employees and records at Shadewell. It could be the only reason he was here. That he cared enough about the investigation to go to such lengths himself, rather than sending some constable beneath him in rank, threatened to warm her heart.
Once she had gathered her wits, and her pulse had evened to a normal rate, Audrey smoothed down her rumpled traveling skirt, tucked a wayward curl of hair behind her ear, and returned to the dining room. Still just as busy as before, the noise of the place struck her with renewed strength. A mix of classes were represented, from farmers and country women to some finer ladies sitting stiffly at a corner table, and gentlemen in tailored swallowtail riding coats and polished boots standing around the hearth.
Her eyes sought out Hugh immediately, and she found Greer and Carrigan at his table. Biting back irritation, Audrey reached the chair next to her lady’s maid. Hugh and her driver cut off their conversation and stood politely as she sat. They returned to their seats, Hugh’s expression one of censure.
“The Bow Street horse patrol apprehend several highwaymen every week, Your Grace. The post road is not safe for a woman traveling alone.”
“I have—”
“Carrigan offers some protection, I cannot discount that, but you should have brought at least another man—”
“I am traveling to an asylum, Mr. Marsden,” she bit off, interrupting him. “I trust Carrigan and Greer above all my staff to keep that confidence. I couldn’t risk bringing another, in whom I did not have such faith.”
The rim of her driver’s tankard swallowed his bashful grin. He was a brawny fellow and had proved to be loyal and steadfast.
Hugh exhaled and sat back in his chair. “What of the duke?”
“He wasn’t keen.”
He glowered. “He refused to accompany you?”
