Page 48 of The Artisan and the Duke
Talbert and Olly exchanged glances and got off their horses to stretch their legs while the Duke went inside. Thompson too got down to stretch even if his ride had not been nearly as long. Gregory opened the door and stepped into the warm and thankfully dry inn.
A woman came out of the back and peered at Gregory curiously. “Duke St Claire,” the woman said in confusion. “I thought you were in London, Your Grace?”
“What gave you that impression?” Gregory asked as he took off his riding gloves.
The innkeeper gave the Duke a wary look. “I overheard the Duchess and your brother speaking about it, Your Grace. Can I get you a room for the night?”
“Where are the Duchess and my brother?” Gregory asked, ignoring the woman’s question.
The innkeeper smoothed her hands over her apron nervously. “There was an incident, Your Grace,” the innkeeper said. “Your brother was abducted by what we believe to be highwaymen eager to ransom him.”
“Why did you not tell me that when I came in?” Gregory snapped furiously. He was tired, angry, and more than a little confused. “Where is the Duchess?” Worry grew in the pit of Gregory’s belly that perhaps the Duchess too had been taken.
The innkeeper wrung her hands and begged, “Please, Your Grace, I thought you knew, and that was why you had come.” The woman swallowed and took a breath. “Her Grace left with the other man to go look for your brother on their way to London.”
“Left? The Duchess left?” Gregory stared at her incredulously.
The innkeeper nodded. “We tried to dissuade her, but she was bent to it,” the woman said as she nodded furiously. “She was set on finding your brother, and the man she was with said they were headed to London.”
“Who is this man?” Gregory feared the notion in his head, and he dared not speak it.
The woman said quietly, “David Larkin from London. He stayed here the day before to rest after his journey.”
Gregory felt another rush of anger, and this time a twinge of jealousy and fear. He pressed down the emotions. It would do no good to frighten the innkeeper more. Gregory asked, “What did they leave by, a carriage?”
“No, Your Grace, the highwaymen took the carriage with your brother. They dealt the driver a fair blow as well. He’s upstairs recovering. We plan to take him to your estate tomorrow if he is in a fair state to do so,” the woman said, wringing her hands.
Gregory went upstairs with the innkeeper right behind him. She quietly pointed out the room, and Gregory pushed the door open just enough to see that indeed it was the driver of Jules’ carriage.
He eased the door back together to keep from waking the man. “I will square up any bills for his stay,” Gregory said quietly as he came back downstairs with the woman. “I would appreciate it if you would see him safely home. Our doctor will look after him from there.”
“Of course, Your Grace, but I will not charge an injured man for a bed that he needs,” the innkeeper said proudly.
Gregory smiled. “You are a kind woman,” he said softly. “I apologize for my tone earlier. I was just taken by surprise.”
“Anyone would have been in that situation, Your Grace. I should’ve told you straight away,” the woman said with sincerity. “The Duchess and Mr Larkin left just a bit ago on a mare of mine and Mr Larkin’s horse. They could not have gotten more than two or three miles at best.”
Gregory frowned. “But we did not meet them coming down the main road,” he said with irritation.
“Then they probably took Sterling Creek, it’s a little road that not many use, but it goes straight into London. It cuts off the main road two or three miles from here,” the innkeeper said helpfully.
Gregory smiled at the woman again. “Thank you,” he said with genuine relief. “We shall follow after them directly, or I shall. I have two men who need to rest.”
***
Talbert refused, “We can’t stay here sleeping like babes when you are out there looking for your missus and your brother.”
“Tally’s right,” Olly said fervently. “We need to help you, Your Grace.”
Gregory shook his head. “And when you fall out of your saddle? Who will you be helping then?”
“I’ll go with Your Grace,” Thompson volunteered. “I have no need of rest. I spent most of the time in the carriage seat, and I am plenty rested.”
Gregory said, “There. See, now you two need to get off to bed. Your rooms are paid for. Get rested. I expect you in London late tomorrow.”
The two brothers eventually gave up grumbling and went into the inn. Gregory tossed a couple of coins to the stable boy. “Take good care of those horses,” he called, and the boy gave him a grin as he pocketed the coins happily.
Chapter 10
