Page 24 of If the Duke Dares
“That’s just east of Bath, isn’t it?”
She saw no point in keeping it from him. He likely already knew where she lived. “Radstock Hall. Er, thank you for caring enough to ensure I was safe.” It was more than her parents had done. That realization made her stomach sink and threatened her appetite.
“It has been my pleasure. I must tell you that I dispatched a letter to my mother earlier asking whether your parents had returned home or planned to remain at Loxley Court until you arrived after recovering from your illness. While I was there, they indicated you would be joining them upon your swift recovery.”
He’d written to his mother? “You didn’t tell her you’d found me?”
“I did not.”
She might never like him, but she certainly appreciated his handling of this situation. “Thank you.”
“I wondered if you might care to wait until we receive a response from my mother before departing?” he asked.
Perhaps it would be better to know what her parents were doing. Did it really matter? They were going to be furious with her regardless of what she did next. The only way they would likely welcome her home was if she walked in on Wellesbourne’s arm and introduced him as her betrothed.
They would be ecstatic. Not because she’d secured an excellent match for herself or that she may even have fallen in love. They would be relieved that the family would be saved—both socially and financially. There were so many debts to be settled, all of them to do with the baron and baroness presenting themselves as though they were members of the wealthy elite. Persephone was surprised she had any dowry left at all.
“Have you come to a decision?” Wellesbourne asked. “I assume you are pondering my proposal that you stay one more day.”
In truth, Persephone wasn’t entirely enthusiastic about facing whatever came next, whether that be returning to Radstock Hall or forging an independent life of spinsterhood.
She could endure one more day. Particularly since she had clean bedclothes.
“All right. I’ll stay. One more day.”
“Excellent. Enjoy your dinner!” he said amiably.
Persephone murmured, “Good night,” then turned and climbed the stairs. At the landing, she looked down to see he was still watching her. She wondered if he would indeed sit at the base of the stairs.
As she went to her chamber, she reluctantly acknowledged that it was comforting to have someone watching out for her. Too bad it wasn’t going to last.
Chapter7
Acton awoke early because sleeping on the abysmal mattress in his chamber at the Black Ivy was nearly impossible. While he did not regret moving to the dilapidated inn so that he could ensure Miss Barclay’s safety, he absolutely regretted the bed. There wasn’t a bedcovering in the world that could improve its quality. Even so, Acton was glad he’d brought his own bedclothes.
The rest of the room wasn’t much better—a rickety dresser with drawers that stuck, a square table with water marks on the top, two wooden chairs for that table, and two cushioned chairs near the blackened fireplace. The fabric covering the chairs had once been red, but was now a faded dark pink with stains and a few holes. He hadn’t particularly wanted to sit in them but told himself he was being haughty. His father’s voice sounded in his brain: “As you should, you’re a duke!”
His father would be horrified to see Acton’s lodgings. He would perhaps even be frustrated by Acton’s behavior. Why was he wasting time with a young woman who didn’t want his help?
Because he couldn’t leave her to the wolves—or whatever else was out there. That included her parents. He still couldn’t fathom why they hadn’t returned home to follow their daughter.
Who hadn’t gone home.
The whole thing was a mess. Acton was completely at a loss as to how this situation would conclude. And he had to admit he was rather invested at this point. Miss Barclay might not like him, but he found her surprisingly intriguing. Even after she’d pretended to flirt with him, then doused him in wine. She was not afraid to call him out nor was she intimidated by his title.
After performing his morning ablutions in very cold water from the jug on the dresser, he donned his clothing and made his way downstairs. He hoped to run into Miss Barclay but suspected she would break her fast in her chamber. He’d kept close watch on the stairs last night. No one had gone up. He’d confirmed with Moll that he and Miss Barclay were the only people lodging at the inn.
What he really hoped to do was convince Miss Barclay they should relocate to the New Inn. They would be far more comfortable there.
As luck would have it, Miss Barclay was downstairs, perched at a table near the hearth. Indeed, it was the only unlittered table in the common room. It appeared the maids had not yet tidied after last night’s revelry.
Miss Barclay looked in his direction, and he noted she was wearing her dark brown traveling gown instead of the one he’d purchased for her. Had something happened to it? At least her gown looked fresh and pressed, which it should after he’d paid the maids to take care of that. “Good morning, Mrs. Birdwhistle.”
“Good morning.” She eyed him warily as he approached. “You’re up early.”
“Am I?” he asked as he approached her table.
“I thought dukes slept until afternoon.”
