Page 54 of Snowbound Regency Christmas
Devin looked at the quarrelling couple with the wailing child, the two thieves, and then to Julia, who stood all alone. He couldn’t leave her unprotected. But what should he do? She couldn’t stay with the thieves. Her only option was to share a room with the family, but Devin had heard Mr Mack yell at his wife for the majority of the trip. He didn’t seem a particularly pleasant or safe man to be around either. Devin could perhaps share with the two thieves, which would be awful for him but allow Julia her own room—but then she would be all alone and that wasn’t safe either. She should have had a maid with her and a footman accompanying them both. Sir Eustace had been negligent in sending his daughter to travel by herself. And Devin wouldn’t be able to sleep without knowing that Julia was safe and protected.
Which left only one option.
Devin would have to share a room with her—but she was a single young woman and her reputation would be ruined. Devin briefly glanced at Mr Pip whose hands curled into fists. Better her reputation sullied than for her to be met with violence or be violated. Or was there perhaps a way to protect her without ruining her reputation…?
There was only one thing to be done. Devin would have to pretend to be her husband. It would only be for two nights and as long as no one in Pickwich ever learned the truth, there would be no harm to her reputation. And Julia would be safe both nights under his protection.
He released a loud sigh, quite like the one that she’d given in the carriage. ‘No more games, dearest Julia,’ Devin said, holding out his hand to her. She took it reluctantly, her eyebrows raised in a question. ‘My wife and I will share a room—as you all know, we are both from Pickwich and going to meet my family. We had a small disagreement and therefore did not sit together in the coach. You heard her loud sighs.’
Julia jerked her hand back. ‘Yes, we did have a fight,dearesthusband. That is why I must have my own private room. I do not wish to see your face.’
Mr Peebles shook his head. ‘There is not another room to be had, ma’am.’
‘You’re welcome to share with us, luv,’ Mr Rhys said with a jeer.
Julia stepped away from the two thieves and closer to Devin. He watched as she looked at the other passengers and then to him. She must have realised that he was her safest option. ‘Very well,husband. But you’d better keep your hands to yourself! I have not forgotten our fight.’
Mr Rhys guffawed. ‘Now, I couldn’t promise that, lass.’
Devin found his own hands curling into fists. Neither Rhys or Pip were going to lay a finger on Julia under his watch.
‘That settles it, then,’ Mr Peebles said. ‘Mr and Mrs—’
‘Ballantine.’
Julia flinched a little at his side but remained quiet. Devin cursed his own stupidity. He ought to have used a false name.
‘You may have the room at the back. And Mr and Mrs—’
‘Mack.’
‘You and your little girl can have the middle room,’ Mr Peebles said. ‘And the two gentlemen can have the room closest to the stairs and the tap. It’s directly across from where Joe and Mr Denard will be staying. Joe’s a real light sleeper, iffen you know what I mean.’
Devin knew exactly what the proprietor was saying. He was warning the two thieves that they were being watched.
Devin stooped down and picked up both his and Julia’s trunks. ‘Lead the way, Julia.’
Chapter Three
Julia shot Devin a cold glare before walking up the stairs and opening the door to the back room. There was no fire in the hearth and one dirty window. The bed did not appear much more promising. It was a good thing that she had packed her own sheets, a piece of advice she had Mrs Heap to thank for. And separate sheets would give them a little space on the sagging bed. Not much, but looking down the hall at the grumbling other passengers entering their bedchambers, Julia couldn’t help but think that Devin was the best of a bad lot. But why in heaven’s name had he begun this charade? If they were caught sharing a room by anyone in Pickwich, both of their reputations would be ruined.
‘Why did you tell the other passengers that we were married?’
Rubbing his face with one hand, Devin sighed. ‘I recognised the two men who sat by me on the mail coach from the criminal court. Angus Rhys is a violent criminal and Timothy Pip is a known murderer. I thought that you would be safer in my company than by yourself.’
Drat.He’d just confirmed her fears and suspicions. A shiver ran through her entire body. But the most annoying thing was that Devindidmake her feel safe. Not that she had any intention of telling him that. ‘And when did I become Julia,Devin?’
He scoffed. ‘I would have thought a goose-cap like yourself would be more upset at becoming my wife than by me calling you by your given name—since the idea of marrying a Ballantine is so repugnant to you.’
Julia’s fingers clenched into fists. She pressed so hard into her skin that she could feel little crescent-shape indentations from her fingernails. She did not blame Joshua for not telling his brother the truth: Julia wouldn’t have wanted to confess such a personal thing to this judgemental man either. Between clenched teeth she managed to say, ‘You have as much sense as a hedge-bird. Why did you use your real name? What if someone from home learns about our ruse?’
‘I am not used to deceit like your lovely self.’
‘You do not know what you speak of, basket-scrambler. And all I can say is that I hope that you never become a judge, for you are not very good at seeing the truth that is right before your eyes. One that a stranger discovered before you.’
Devin’s nostrils flared. She’d hit a sore spot. Joshua had confided to Julia, when she was his betrothed, that his little brother was eager to be a judge in the highest courts in London one day. He’d also bragged about how hard-working and intelligent Devin was at his barrister career, but she was not about to tell him that.
‘What is the truth? If I can believe anything from your treacherous lips.’
