Page 11 of Indecent
“I am,” she said, predictably. “Your hirelings were blackguards, however.”
“I can’t say I disagree, and if I see them again, I’ll beat them to a pulp.”
“All three of them?” she asked in surprise.
“I’d certainly try. You did not see me at my best in the bout last night.” He tried to quash the feeling of self-loathing that rose in his throat. Not because he’d fought poorly but because he’d lost control. “I’m typically a better fighter.”
“I see. Still, I should think it unadvisable for you to challenge three men at once and those men in particular. They seemed rather ruthless.”
He couldn’t disagree. “Which is why I shall never forgive myself for what I did and for involving you in it.”
She opened her mouth, but pressed her lips together before speaking, her gaze moving to the side.
Bennet turned his head to see Logan had come into the common area. “Evening, Logan. This is a very fine port.”
Relief flashed across the innkeeper’s features. “I’m glad. I asked Mrs. Logan to bring it as an apology since you won’t be able to leave on the morrow.”
“What?” The word came from Bennet and Prudence in unison as they both turned more fully in their chairs toward Logan.
Logan’s dark eyes sparked with distress. “You didn’t know? My goodness, I thought Mrs. Logan had told you. Young Davy couldn’t get to town today. The road is washed out from the rain, and the wind was just brutal. We’re hoping things die down overnight, but it will be rough going. Hopefully he can get the box tomorrow and complete the repair, but I daresay you’ll be here another night. I’m so sorry to have to tell you that news. I know how anxious you must be to get to your wedding.”
Prudence coughed, and Bennet shifted his attention to her.
“All right, darling?” he asked.
She arched a fair brow and murmured, “Fine.”
“I am sorry,” Logan said again.
“It’s not your fault,” Prudence said brightly, surprising Bennet. “We appreciate your hospitality. I wonder if you might bring some extra blankets to our chamber. As you can imagine, his lordship and I are not sharing a bed until we are wed. However, my dear Ben insists we sleep in the same room for safety’s sake. He slept in the chair, but now that we are here for more than one night, I daresay he would be more comfortable on a makeshift bed, if you can manage it.”
If Logan found the request odd, he didn’t show it. But then the entire situation was inappropriate. He trusted that Bennet was an honorable man who was simply impatient to wed the woman with whom he was madly in love.
“That’s no problem at all, my lady. We’ll set it up right away.”
“Would you also prepare a bath for her ladyship?” Bennet asked. He should have thought of it sooner. But now that they were here for two more nights, he wanted her to be able to bathe.
“Yes, of course,” Logan said with a nod. “If you’d also like a bath, my lord, we’ve a room off the kitchen you’re welcome to use.”
“That would be heavenly. Thank you.” Bennet lifted his wineglass. “To your unparalleled hospitality.”
“Hear, hear,” Prudence agreed, raising her glass as well.
Logan blushed before hurrying off.
Prudence closed her eyes. “A bath. How lovely that will be.” She opened her eyes and scrutinized him closely. “Promise you won’t come back to the room for an hour.”
“I will make sure you are finished and the bath has been removed.” He gave her a sheepish look. “I am very sorry we can’t leave tomorrow. This is turning into quite a disaster.”
“Well, it’s not as if anyone is worrying about me,” she said.
There was an edge to her voice, and he couldn’t discern why. “It’s not because they don’t care. I’m sure Lady Cassandra would be quite concerned if not for that stupid note.”
Prudence said nothing as she sipped her wine.
“Since we’re stranded here another day, what can I do to entertain you? You didn’t seem interested in cards or backgammon. Chess? Some other game?”
“I don’t play games.”
