Page 105 of Lord of Fortune
“There’s an inn,” Penn said, gesturing ahead. “I’ll ask them to stable our mounts while we take our walk.” He looked up at the sky with a grim expression. “I hope the rain stays away.”
They’d endured quite a storm on their first day out. By the time they’d stopped at an inn, they were both drenched and miserable. They had, however, grown quite warm together in front of the fire that night. She smiled at the memory, glad for it now and to have it for the future.
They rode into the yard at the inn and dismounted. Penn handed her the saddlebags that held her things as well as the book and other artifacts.
“You’re sure you want to leave them here?” she asked. They’d discussed it at length last night—whether to take the items with them to the waterfall.
“I think it’s best. I would feel terrible if the White Book were damaged.”
She smiled at him. “I am beginning to think the heart will pale next to the book.”
He laughed softly. “No. It’s different. But yes, rediscovering this book is exceptional.”
Because he was anxious to present it to his father so that he could study it for a few days before returning it to its owners. She understood because that was precisely how she would feel if her grandfather were alive, and she could give him the heart.
Well, notgiveit to him. They were going to give it to Gideon.
Penn spoke with the innkeeper, renting a room for the night and stabling the horses. He carried the saddlebags up to their room, where Amelia changed into her men’s costume and Penn organized what they would take with them.
He draped one bag over his shoulder diagonally and prepared to do the same with the next one.
“I can carry that,” Amelia offered. “Let me be Egg.”
Penn let out a sharp laugh. “You couldneverbe Egg. You are far too attractive and pleasant.”
Amelia stuck her lower lip out and grunted. “I can be disagreeable.”
He went to her and kissed that lip, making her withdraw it with a giggle. “Please don’t. I love you just the way you are.”
Love? She lost all semblance of humor and stared at him.
He seemed to realize what he’d said. Their eyes connected for a moment before he averted his gaze. “You can carry it if you want.” He held it out to her, careful not to touch her hand.
She took the bag and draped it around herself as he had done. It was a bit heavy, but nothing she couldn’t handle. “Everything you think we’ll need is in here?”
“Except your pistol.” He looked at her in question, and she patted her waistband in response. “Good. I have mine, and—” He withdrew the small knife she’d withdrawn from his coat the day they’d met and placed it in her hand. “I want you to carry this.”
“What if you need it?” she asked, hating this distance that was growing between them, but knowing it was necessary if they were going to survive their inevitable separation.
“You’ll give it to me.” His lips quirked up briefly before he turned and stalked to the door. “Let us be on our way.”
When they entered the common room, the innkeeper approached with a small bundle, which he handed to Amelia. “I’ve packed a bit of food for you along the trail, if you become hungry.”
“Thank you.” She took the bundle and tucked it into her bag, while Penn accepted a flagon of ale from the innkeeper, which he tied to his belt.
“Where are you headed?” the innkeeper asked.
“To look at the waterfalls,” Penn said. “I saw them once and would like to share them with Mrs. Bowen.”
Mrs. Bowen.
She’d inhabited that name for the past few days, and she didn’t want to give it up.
The innkeeper eyed Amelia’s breeches with a mix of curiosity and disdain. “Before you go, I recommend you stop and speak with Mr. Hughes. He’s mapped all the waterfalls and would be an excellent source of information. He lives just down the lane in a small cottage with a thatched roof and a crimson door.”
“Thank you, we’ll consider that.” He said good-bye to the innkeeper, then held the door open for Amelia.
They walked out into the cool, gray afternoon. Amelia shivered but knew she’d warm up quickly when they started to walk. “Should we stop in and see Mr. Hughes?”
