Page 20 of Taken By the Dangerous Duke

“I understand,” said Arthur. “Take all the time you need to think about it. And, if your answer is no, I won’t discard you. You still have any help you need to get to where you are going.”

“Thank you,” said Margaret. “And thank you for the wine, and stew, and the ride, and the room here, and all of your help.”

“You are most welcome,” replied Arthur.

There was a moment of levity as the two fell into silence and ate their food. Arthur was not sure if he should regret what he had asked of Margaret or not. She had been promised to another man, and as a solution, he had offered to marry her. Was she being polite by not rebuffing him straight away?

Arthur looked up toward the bar and could see the barmaid keeping an eye on him. What must be running through her mind after hearing what she did?

He looked back to Margaret. He had mentioned to Parker that he wanted a slim woman with good features, but, in truth, that didn’t matter as much as the woman’s character, and Margaret had plenty of that. Yet, he had to admit that she was not too bad in the looks department either. She was slim, but still with curves, and even though she was wearing more practical clothes for traveling, they still hugged her figure enough to show it off.

And, he had enjoyed seeing her smile. She must have thought him a boor when he turned up at her house, and he had thought her a bitter woman, but that had changed. She had a great capacity for joy, even though she tried to hide it at times, or perhaps it had been suppressed over the years. But, when she smiled, she radiated happiness, and he hoped that would be passed down to their children if she took him up on his offer.

“You are staring at me!” stated Margaret. “I can call the barmaid over if there is going to be any trouble.” She gave a sly smile.

“I wasn’t thinking—”

“I did not accuse you, but your words are giving you away. What were you not thinking?”

“Is she still staring at me?” asked Arthur, flicking his eyes toward the barmaid.

“She has been staring ever since she brought the stew over. I believe I only need to utter the word and she will toss you out.”

“I have never felt more intimidated before,” admitted the duke.

“Come on,” said Margaret, holding out her hand. “It is the least I can do after what you have done for me.”

“You mean for us to dance?” Arthur looked past Margaret to the two musicians in the corner. One had a small drum, and the other had a fiddle.

“Quickly, before the barmaid gets suspicious of the delay. You don’t want her to think badly of you, do you? And the wine will wear off soon and I won’t be so gracious.”

Arthur took her hand and allowed himself to be led up to the small area where there were no tables. No one else was dancing, though many were tapping their feet, and his two footmen had chosen this time to enter the tavern. He could feel all eyes on them. And, he had not danced in a setting like this before, only attending balls where the dancing was formal and learned.

He looked Margaret in the eye when they got to the dance floor, and she smiled back at him. She took his hand and placed it on her side, taking his other hand in hers. Before Arthur could ask what he needed to do, Margaret had them spinning in the small space between the tables.

Arthur did not know how his feet knew where to be, but he was able to not step on any toes, and he soon heard the other patrons clapping along to the music as they egged on the couple dancing in the middle of the tavern. And, he found that he was enjoying it.

They spun around, and around, matching the speed of the musicians, as they tried to play faster than the dancers could dance, and the two dancers tried to dance quicker than the two musicians could play. And, the patrons of the tavern clapped faster and faster. Even the barmaid clapped her hands with a smile on her face.

Suddenly, the music stopped. Margaret and Arthur stopped, almost bundling over each other. And a large cheer went up from everyone around, followed by laughter. And Arthur laughed. He held Margaret and felt the intoxicating movement of her body as she laughed in his arms. He looked down into her blue eyes and he laughed some more at the joy the moment held for both of them.

Then, before he knew what was happening, Margaret lurched forward and pressed her lips to his, and he responded by sliding his tongue into her mouth, pulling her body close to his. And the cheer that erupted from the crowd around them was soon drowned out by the beating of his heart as Margaret’s eager tongue danced with his.

CHAPTER9

Regrets Of the Morning After

Margaret wrung her hands together as she stood in front of the door leading from her room. She had heard people come and go, one of them probably the duke, and she had watched from the window as the footmen had loaded the coach and tethered the horses. She was still torn about what had happened the previous night.

She had never meant to kiss him. It was a moment of weakness, and she had been caught up in the moment, that was all, but now he was going to think that he could have her whenever he wanted. She was still not sure if she should stay in her room until they were gone and be done with the matter. She could make her own way in life, she was sure of it.

“No, you can’t hide,” she seethed under her breath. “You are stronger than this, Margaret. You have come this far, and you need to make sure you get far enough away. One more day of travel, and then you can leave the duke and fend for yourself.”

Margaret took a deep breath and steeled herself. She took up her pack, slung it over her shoulder, and left the room. She moved quickly down the corridor and then down the stairs. The barmaid was busying herself with tasks in the bar area when Margaret passed through.

“They are about to leave,” said the barmaid. “Thought you were going to miss your ride. Recovering after last night, eh?” She gave a wicked chuckle.

“Nothing happened; it was a mistake,” murmured Margaret. She moved quickly through the bar and out into the crispness of the morning. It refreshed her.

---