Page 22 of Seducing the Knave

Max had just returned after speaking with the proprietor of the inn to deliver the frustrating announcement that there was only one room available.

The slow widening of his mouth sent chills dancing down her spine and the twist in her belly developed into a wild flutter.

“Ye’ve no choice. Some local event has the village crowded with visitors. We’re lucky I managed a room at all.” When she continued to stare at him in disbelief, the corner of his mouth tilted upward. “If ye don’t like it, ye’re welcome to the barn out back.”

Her mouth dropped open in shock. “You must be joking.”

He grinned.

“I’m not sharing a room with a man who has already proven himself to have no chivalry and no honor.”

“If ye’d rather bed down with the livestock, there’s plenty of hay in the barn.”

She couldn’t believe they were actually having this conversation right now. “I’m sleeping in the room. You can sleep in the barn.”

His response was a short laugh. He didn’t even attempt to argue the point.

Elle stared at his amused but resolute expression. He wasn’t going to back down.

This was a disaster.

She was absolutely not going to sleep in the barn.

She could possibly conceive of sleeping in the carriage, but it would undoubtedly be extremely uncomfortable and quite cold.

There was really only one option.

But for an unmarried lady to spend an entire night in the same room with a man she barely knew...

It was shockingly scandalous.

But Elle was desperate. And she’d recently learned that, if given the right incentive, she was willing to do a great deal she’d never have even contemplated before. “Fine,” she muttered through clenched teeth.

Max leaned forward to say quietly, “I should also mention that the innkeeper insists his guests display impeccable morals. So, if yer asked, we’re newly wedded.”

Elle tensed. “Now I know you’re joking.”

To her utter exasperation, he gave a warm, rich chuckle. “Not even a little.”

Elle looked over the significantly crowded inn. Even as late as the hour was, a great number of people were left to stand as all the available seating was taken. Then she slid her gaze to the innkeeper several steps behind Max. A middle-aged man who was watching them rather closely, a glimmer of suspicion in his eyes.

“If ye don’t want to get tossed on our arses,” Max muttered, “I’d suggest ye play along...wife.”

Elle rolled her eyes and glanced up into his grinning face. The curve of his lips was devastatingly sensual while the flash of his teeth revealed his infuriating amusement.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

He gave a quick wink. “This way, dearest,” he said in a louder voice as he gestured toward the stairs.

After only a moment of hesitation, Elle followed.

Their room was on the second floor at the end of a long hall. It was of a good size with a large bed, a changing screen in the corner, and two armchairs set before a fireplace crackling with the heat of a well-stoked fire.

With a heavy sigh, Elle crossed to the fire. After releasing the ties of her cloak, she swept it from around her shoulders to drape it over one of the chairs.

“Bloody ’ell.”

The roughly muttered curse had her looking back over her shoulder to where Max stood just inside the door—his gaze riveted upon her.

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