The Earl of Morrey (The League of Rogues #13) - Lauren Smith Page 0,59
shoulder. She replayed the previous night in her mind, a small, secret smile hovering about her lips. To discover that her husband was a romantic at heart,that poetry moved his soul as it did her own, was a true joy. But it was possible he wasn’t a man who enjoyed reading. Most rakes memorized bits of poetry to impress ladies; perhaps Adam knew only a few artful lines, rather than being a devoted reader.
“Adam, are you a great reader, or a man who prefers only sports and activities out-of-doors?” She considered herself rather balanced, enjoying the physical pleasures of riding, walking, and even fishing, though certainly not the part of baiting hooks. She also enjoyed reading books on a great number of subjects. She was not quite a bluestocking, at least compared to some of her friends.
“I enjoy both,” Adam answered. “You did not have a chance to spend much time in Chilgrave’s library, but when we return, I will show you.”
“I would like that.”
“We will be at Tyburn’s home this night, and he has a decent library as well.”
Letty lost herself in daydreams of the wild Scottish wilderness, of her and Adam riding across the heather-covered hills.
The coach stopped at the Crown and Thistle just after dark.
“Let’s go inside and have a bit to eat.” Adam instructed their driver to rest the horses. “We can stay an hour or so and then continue on our way.”
They entered the small inn and found most of the tables were full of men and women, a few eating and drinking despite the early hour.
“Wait here. Let me see if I can arrange a private dining room for us.” Most coaching inns had several rooms strictly for married couples dining alone, since gentle-born people usually did not sit down to dine amongst the lower classes. Letty honestly did not mind either way, but Adam had strode away so quickly that she could not call him back without drawing attention to herself. She already felt a bit on edge once they’d entered Scotland, knowing that the English were unwelcome, especially this far north. The last thing she wanted to do was draw the focus of a roomful of burly Scots.
Adam leaned against the bar and spoke with the innkeeper while Letty stayed put close to the door. The door opened, and several men came in. Pressed against the wall as she was, the men did not see her. They scanned the large taproom before their focus halted on one person—her husband.
Every muscle tensed as she feared they would turn and see her next. These men were here for her and Adam—they had to be. The group of men, seven in total, began to speak softly with English accents rather than Scottish. They chose one of the few empty tables left in the room. Adam turned and came toward her, surprisingly relaxed. Surely he wouldn’t be that calm if he had seen them.
“This way, my darling. There’s a room at the back for us.” He escorted her past the table of men, with his arm around her shoulders. Letty kept her chin steady, her eyes straight ahead. The second she and Adam were alone, she would tell him what she had seen. They entered a small room with a table and two chairs, which would have been cozy if it weren’t for their current circumstances.
“Adam—” she began.
He held a finger to his lips as he locked the door. “Yes, this will be lovely, a nice quiet dinner,” Adam said as if everything was fine, but he lifted one of the chairs and wedged it back under the latch. “I know you must be tired from all our travels,” Adam continued as he went to the window and eased it open. Then he motioned for her to come over.
“This way,” he whispered urgently, just as someone knocked loudly at the door to their room. “I’ll boost you. Get outside and wait for me.” Adam paused, a sudden fear in his eyes. “If we become separated, steal a horse and ride north on this road. It will take you straight to my uncle’s land.”
“No!” Letty’s eyes burned. She was not going to leave him. The door thudded as something hard collided with it from the other side. Adam braced himself against the chair that held the door shut.
“There’s no time to debate this. Go, now!” Adam hissed.
“I cannot leave you.” Something inside her, something black and full of despair, feared that she might lose him forever.