as they walked to the front door. Feeling their stares, Amelia cast a quick glance back at Jane and tightened her grip on Captain Sterling’s arm. He walked as if unconcerned, his breath fogging the cold night air. Amelia swallowed a lump of trepidation and tried to ignore the questionable-looking people they passed. She was far from Winterwood Manor indeed.
Once inside, Amelia was grateful for the heat, but the smell was not much improved. The scent of burnt meat and stale straw met her nose. The sounds of voices and music were louder.
She leaned toward her escort. “Where is all the noise coming from?”
He finally looked down at her. Dark circles underlined his tired eyes, and the start of a beard shadowed his cheeks and chin. “There’s a dining hall through that door, but it is no place for you. I’ve ordered something for you and Mrs. Hammond to eat. It should be brought up shortly.”
Still clinging to his arm, eyes wide, she allowed him to lead her up a narrow staircase and down a dimly lit hallway. The smell of stale straw was worse here, and she held a handkerchief up to her nose. Six doors lined the dark corridor, and he led her to the one on the right at the end. He stuck a key in the lock, turned it, and gave it a good shake. The lock popped, and the door swung open.
She stared at her sparse surroundings. The room, barely large enough for the three of them to stand in together, felt dank and dark.
Captain Sterling knelt at the fireplace and poked at the kindling with the poker. “I had them start you a fire—if you want to call this a fire.” He added more kindling and blew on it. “But at least you have a little light and warmth, which is more than I can say for the other patrons.”
Amelia’s eyes widened. “You mean some of the rooms don’t even have a fireplace?”
He shook his head. “I told you this would be different from what you are accustomed to.”
She watched silently as he coerced the sputtering fire to a healthy flame. Once the fire allowed for a better look at the room, she removed her hood and surveyed her surroundings. One bed with a lumpy mattress butted up against the far wall. A single wardrobe chest stood next to a skinny window. Two wooden chairs and a rickety table edged close to the fireplace, and beneath her feet stretched a minuscule, well-worn rug. Nothing hung on the walls, with the exception of two wooden hooks next to the door.
Minutes later a kitchen maid appeared with a tray of food and tea. She set the tray on the table, bobbed a curtsy, and left. Amelia removed her damp cape from her shoulders and hung it on a hook to dry. Every part of her was cold.
She moved next to Captain Sterling at the fire. He poked the coals again and looked up at her. “I know this is not ideal, but there isn’t another inn within an hour’s travel.”
“Thank you. I’m sure Mrs. Hammond and I will be quite comfortable here.” Amelia hesitated, chewing her lip. The candlelight highlighted the strength in his jaw. The muscles in his neck twitched as he tended the fire. She wanted to grab his arm again, just as she had when he escorted her to the room. Being near him made her feel safe. Protected.
He stood and dusted his hands together to shake off the ashes from the fire. “The coachman set your things over by that chair, and if you are all settled, I will leave you ladies to rest.” He walked toward the door. “Make sure you lock the door. Don’t let anyone in, for any reason.”
Amelia almost reached out to keep him in the room. “Where are you going?”
“To finish tending the horses. I’ll be staying in the room directly above this one. If you need anything, stand on the chair and tap on the ceiling. I’ll be sure to hear you.”
“But surely you will eat something and get some rest too?”
He nodded. “I will knock on your door tomorrow morning. We’ll leave at dawn. I want to arrive in Liverpool as early as possible.”
He gave a short bow, and the smile he offered sent a flutter through her heart. But she was tired. Emotional. She needed to keep those two things in mind and not let her thoughts turn to fantasies.
Jane closed the door behind