Page 7 of A Bride for the Cruel Duke

“Lady Caroline Hawkins. Word is being put out between here and London to look out for her. Her family is worried half to death, they say.”

The second voice snorted. “Not worried enough to not leave her behind.”

“True, true.”

The voices were coming from across the foyer, and heading in their direction. Caroline turned quickly to find them, hopeful at first because she took some sense of gratitude to hear that her mother had at least noticed she was missing and had then the good sense to send for help in finding her. She saw immediately who it was that was speaking, two men, one young and one old, the innkeeper was her guess, and his son. They had not seen Caroline yet, nor the duke, as they were too busy gossiping.

It was only once Caroline considered the situation a little more closely, her eyes falling on the back of the duke, that she realized how unfortunate her circumstance was. If these men were to learn of who she was, she had no doubt that word would reach her mother that she had been found traveling alone with a male companion. It did not matter that he was a duke and that he had saved her. All that would matter was that she was found in an inn, trying to book a room for the night, with a man who was not her husband.

She felt her brow begin to sweat, her stomach turning as the implications mounted. Her reputation would be ruined. Her mother’s reputation would be ruined. Even her sister, who was set to marry, would likely have to deal with the fallout—it might even give the Duke of Aldworth a pretext not to marry her!

Panic now. The room turning. Her throat ran dry. Her tongue heavy. And all she could do was stand there stupidly as the two men appeared behind the counter, finally finding the duke waiting for them.

“Oh, no!” the elderly innkeeper gasped. “Didn’t see you there! It’s me eyesight—the reason I keep this one around.” He nudged his son.

“It is quite alright,” the duke said, the growl in his voice suggesting it was not alright. “I will be requiring a room for the night.”

“Just the one room...” The son peered around the duke and looked at Caroline.

The duke turned back, frowning at Caroline, likely wondering why her face had suddenly taken on the expression of utmost horror. She widened her eyes at him, praying he would understand the situation. If she wasn’t so frozen still, she might have cried out that they were together.

“Yes,” the duke said, turning back. “A single room for me and my wife, if there is one available.”

“Your wife?” the elderly innkeeper asked.

“Is there a problem?” the duke said warningly.

The innkeeper looked between the duke and Caroline, frowning as if trying to decide something. Then he shrugged and smiled. “Not at all. One room it is.”

Caroline breathed a sigh of relief. She tried to catch the duke’s eyes to offer him a silent thank you, but he busied himself organizing the room, purposefully so.

It wasn’t until the innkeeper led them up the stairs and then down the hallway toward their room that Caroline realized her mistake.Oh no...

The walk down the hallway was short, but it felt like a mile. The walls too, they were wide, and the ceiling was high, but it felt as if they were slowly closing in on her. She walked silently behind the duke and the innkeeper, her legs beginning to shake, her heart beginning to race, her breathing turning ragged with panic the closer they came to the room... the closer they came to a situation that was perhaps even worse than being found out.

“Here we are,” the innkeeper said. He unlocked the room and swung the door open. “It’s a modest dwelling, but I think you will find it to your liking.”

“I am sure it will be fine.”

The innkeeper wore a smile on his face as he looked between them expectantly. Rolling on his feet, hands behind his back, he waited for them to pass him into the room.

“Is there anything else?” the duke asked.

“Oh!” the innkeeper’s eyes turned wide. “No, no, just, ah... making sure everything is to your liking.”

“As I said, it is fine.” The duke glared at him in warning.

“Right...” The innkeeper cleared his throat. “I will just.... leave you to it.” He gave a nervous smile, looking between them again, and frowning as if unsure, only to shake his head and then hurry on past.

Caroline stood frozen in the hallway. Before her was the open door, leading into the little room. Before it stood the duke, his expression impassive, past the point of caring, clearly wishing to be done with this day so he could put it behind him once and for all.

“Well?” he said, indicating into the room.

“I...” Her tongue turned thick inside her mouth. “I...” She glanced into the room, all too aware of the circumstances.Is he serious? Surely, he can see how inappropriate this is! There is no way he can expect me to... to...Caroline felt her face drain of color, a real fear taking her as a most dark thought crossed her mind which very nearly made her scream.“I am not sleeping in the same room as you!” she blurted.

The duke suppressed a groan. “Shall I ask for another? I am certain the innkeeper will be happy to accommodate.”

“You can’t!” she cried.

---