A Bride for the Prizefighter - Alice Coldbreath Page 0,58

and pulled on his boots.

“Why would there be officers here at The Merry Harlot?” she asked him and was pointedly ignored.

“Put some clothes on,” he said giving her a hard stare and Mina glanced down at her voluminous white cotton nightgown.

“I will, once you’ve gone,” she answered briskly. He could hardly expect her to start stripping off with him there.

He huffed at that, stood up, crossed the room and exited it with a slam of the door. Mina pursed her lips and started thoughtfully to dress. She lingered over arranging her hair into a tidy roll which she pinned at her nape. Then she descended the stairs and disappeared into the scullery for her wash. She fancied she heard voices as she crossed the hall, and on entering the kitchen, she found Edna there waiting for her with anxious eyes.

“I’ve made the tea tray up to bring in to you,” she said turning around. Mina opened her mouth to thank her, though she really did not think it necessary to take her morning beverage in the parlor, when she noticed four cups set out on the tray. “They’re in the parlor now,” Edna said, seeing the direction of her gaze.

“The Riding Officers?” Mina asked with surprise.

Edna nodded her head. “Will I carry it in before you?” she asked unhappily.

Mina thought a moment. “I’ll open the door for you,” she said with decision.

She gave the parlor door a swift knock and flung it open for Edna to carry in the large tray which now had toasted muffins and tea cakes as well as butter. Then she paused by the door, until Enda had scurried back out again. The servant cast a look of gratitude her way before disappearing back toward the kitchen. Surmising this was an ordeal to get through from Edna’s frightened demeanor, Mina drew herself up, then shut the door resolutely behind her.

When she turned around to survey the room, she found two strangers in the room along with Nye. They both stood at her entrance, though she thought with some show of reluctance and she did not appreciate the insolent look one of them gave her, whose stare was very bold. Coolly holding his gaze until he lowered his own, she then glanced toward the other younger uniformed man whose manner was more respectful.

“These are a pair of Excisemen for her majesty, Mina,” Nye said clearing his throat. “Mr. Havilland,” he said, nodding toward the one Mina had taken an instant dislike to. “And Mr. Guthrie. They’re both Riding Officers based nearby at St Ives. Gentlemen, this is my wife, Mrs. Mina Nye.”

“Your servant, madam,” drawled the elder very insincerely, as the younger executed a punctilious bow. “I had not heard tell that Nye here had taken a wife.” He cast a sardonic look in Nye’s direction which was ignored.

Mina came into the room. “I am happy to make your acquaintance, gentlemen,” she said repressively and headed for a chair before the tea tray. “Can I offer you some refreshment?” she asked in her most colorless tone.

Looking up, she thought she saw a startled look on the one’s face and a frown on the other, before they both hurriedly assented. Having ascertained that the elder took lemon and the younger a spoonful of sugar, she poured and guessing that Nye would take his black, pushed a cup and saucer toward him also. Having ascertained that the elder took lemon and the younger a spoonful of sugar with their tea, she poured and guessing that Nye would take his black, she pushed a cup and saucer toward him also. He took it wordlessly and retreated to the window.

“My, how civilized we are today,” said Havilland with a sneer. “You will scarcely believe it Guthrie, but in the five years since I’ve been posted in Cornwall, I’ve never been received in this establishment anywhere other than the taproom prior until today.”

Guthrie colored faintly but Mina took a sip of her tea. She glanced at Nye who was stood feet planted part by the window, looking supremely unconcerned. She wondered if his attitude was genuine or feigned. Certainly, Edna had seemed badly rattled by this visit.

“One can only suppose,” Havilland continued, not having drawn a response. “That a wife must have a civilizing effect even on an establishment such as this.” His lip curled. “You are from these parts, ma’am?” he shot suddenly at Mina.

“I am not,” she answered mildly. “I was raised all my life in the vicinity of Bath.