Page 19 of Indecent
“Bad things such as your parents dying?”
Her gaze met his, and he basked in the fleeting vulnerability she allowed him to see. “Among other things.” Her eyes shuttered, and she looked toward the window. “Perhaps we’ll just be here forever. We could ignore everything else.”
He indulged the fantasy, smiling. “Well, that would certainly simplify things.”
“But entirely unrealistic. You have responsibilities, people who rely on you.”
“Yes.”
“I suppose it’s nice to think about not having that sometimes. I’m quite free to make my own choices based only on what I want and what is best for me.”
A brief flash of jealousy shot through him. He didn’t have that luxury. That also meant she didn’t have the joy of family, no matter how complicated and exhausting they could be. They could both make an argument for contentment—and discontent.
“Are you lonely?” he asked, knowing he shouldn’t but unable to stop himself. Would she answer or deflect and avoid as he expected her to do? “You said you were alone, but are you lonely? That’s not the same thing.”
A long moment stretched before she responded, and he realized he was holding his breath. “Not usually. Sometimes—”
He would never know what she was about to say because a loud crash sounded as a tree fell against the inn.
Chapter5
Prudence followed Bennet to the door. He threw it open and started outside but in his haste hadn’t grabbed his coat. She pulled his hat from the hook and stepped out into the howling wind and sideways rain. “Here!” she called.
He turned his head, his brows pitched low over his eyes. “Get back inside!”
“Take the hat!” She thrust it toward him. “And you need your coat.”
Grasping the hat, he slammed it on his head. A branch sailed past them, and his face creased with distress. “Please, go back inside!”
She turned and stopped short. “Bennet!” Pointing to where the tree leaned against the corner of the house with one hand, she clapped the other over her mouth.
He came to her side and took her arm, guiding her back to the door. “Go inside and stay away from this corner. Tell Mrs. Logan what’s happened.”
“What’s happened?” Mrs. Logan’s face appeared in the doorway.
“There’s a tree leaning against the house,” Prudence said.
Bennet let go of her arm. “There’s Logan and Tasker, the stable master. I’ll go help them. Remember, stay away from this corner.” He looked up and around. “Too many damned trees.”
Prudence went inside, but didn’t close the door. She craned her neck to see what the men were doing.
“Come in, dear,” Mrs. Logan said gently. “I know you’re worried, but they’ll be fine.”
“He doesn’t even have his coat,” Prudence said, though that was the least of her concerns. What if a branch fell on him? Or worse, another tree?
“Let me get him a greatcoat.” Mrs. Logan turned. “I’m sure I can find something that will suffice.”
Prudence wrung her hands and allowed herself to fidget—a bad habit she’d worked hard to overcome before assuming her position as a companion. A gust of wind pulled at the open door, and Prudence swung it closed before it blew off.
Mrs. Logan returned with a dark brown coat.
“I’ll take it to him,” Prudence said.
“You’re going to get soaked.” Mrs. Logan eyed her doubtfully, but gave her the coat.
“I’ll be quick.” Prudence dashed outside as lightning flashed overhead. She ran toward where Bennet stood with the others, the mud sucking at her booted feet. They seemed to be assessing the situation with the tree. “Bennet!” she called just before she reached his side.
He turned, his eyes widening. “Pru, you shouldn’t be out here.”
