Page 69 of Her Dark Seduction
“Take good care of her, Tom,” Edwina warned, “or you answer to me.”
Tom laughed good-naturedly. “You’ve already threatened to relieve me of my manly parts should any harm come to her in my care, Mistress Edwina. I value them too much.”
He turned his gaze on me. “My lady, you have nothing to fear from me.”
His voice was kind, and I nodded before addressing Edwina.
“Tell Jack and Lily I’m sorry for the trouble I caused them, and I wish them well.”
Edwina nodded to Tom and we set off. I took one last look at the house where I had spent the last three months; where I had caught a glimpse of the life I dreamed of. I turned away, unable to look any longer upon the place where I’d finally realized my heart belonged, only to discover the man I had given it to thought less than nothing of me. I would always love him, no matter what. He had given me the greatest gift of all—Geoffrey. I held my son close, feeling a small ray of hope. I might never have the life of my dreams, but I would find contentment in the convent and fulfillment in the love of my son.
Tom whistled a merry tune, and I couldn’t help smiling. His youthful joy for life was infectious.
Reaching the edge of the village I spotted a tall figure standing by the edge of the road.
“Tom—stop!” I cried. My hands shook. He had returned!
“Vane!”
The man took a step toward us, and I realized I was wrong. He was too short to be my husband and less muscular in build. I sank back against Tom, defeated.
“Forgive me. ’Twas my mistake.”
We continued on our path, the stranger watching us. Before we rounded a corner, I took a last look back and shivered with fear as he raised his hand in salute. Though my knife was tucked into my gown, I would not feel safe until there were several miles between us and the man who had watched us leave so intently.
****
The journey to Midford took nine days. I had little money and wished to avoid being noticed so we slept rough each night and avoided the main roads. But it was no hardship; the cart provided shelter from the rain and Tom proved an adept hunter. We worked well together. Tom set up camp and hunted rabbit while I nursed Geoffrey. In turn I prepared the meals and packed our belongings each morning. What would Vane think of me if he could see me? I truly was a peasant now, but for the first time in my life I felt free. I had no need to pretend to be anything other than what I was.
Tom was good company. He had offered for a girl in Balsdean village but her father had refused consent until he proved his ability to keep her. With the money he made from accompanying me, he could marry her on his return. He was touchingly devoted to her, and I resolved that once I’d paid for our food and lodging at Midford as well as my passage on to the convent, I would give him the rest of my money. He was so like Percy in his youthful innocence. I had not been able to do anything for poor Percy, but I could do something for Tom.
****
We arrived at Midford early evening. Tom drove the cart to the inn before helping me down, my legs stiff from the journey. Geoffrey slept on, and I held him close, taking Tom’s hand as he led me inside the inn.
My eyes grew accustomed to the dark, the blurred forms morphing into the shapes of tables and chairs, casting shadows from the light of a fire at the back of the room. At one table a small group of men murmured to each other, turning their heads briefly to look at us before resuming their conversation.
“Hello there!”
At Tom’s call, a door swung open at the back of the room, and a man shuffled out.
“What ye be wanting?” The thick, rough accent almost obscured his words.
“Are you the innkeeper?” Tom asked.
“Aye—who be asking?”
“My name is Tom.” Tom nodded in my direction. “My sister and I have travelled a long way and seek board and lodging for one night, maybe more.”
“Two rooms?”
“Just one. We have very little money.”
The man hawked and spat on the floor. “Ye’re in luck, boy, we have one room remaining. The village is busy for ’tis market today tomorrow.”
Market day. With traders visiting the town we had a good chance of finding someone willing to take me on the rest of my journey. But the danger of discovery still lurked in the shadows. We’d have to be careful not to draw attention to ourselves—I had no idea whether someone was still looking for me.
Tom pulled out the bag of coins I’d given him. He tipped some into the innkeeper’s outstretched hand, increasing the pile one by one until the man nodded.
