Page 13 of Persuasions of an Earl's Daughter

She shucked off his remaining touch and shoved open the creaking door to the inn. No one paid them much heed, the bubble of conversation between patrons continuing as she marched through to the taproom and stopped at the bar.

To August’s relief, the inevitable den of dubious characters and drunken louts never transpired. A group of well-dressed men sat at a table in the corner and a young couple who could not tear their gazes away from one another to even notice their food being placed in front of them were seated by the window. With any luck, the wait for Lilly’s aunt would be a peaceful one.

“I’ll have a beer,” she demanded, forcing August’s attention back to her and the thick-armed barkeep.

The man’s wiry eyebrows lifted. “What will you have? We have stout, porter or amber ale.”

Her eyes rounded and August didn’t bother to hide his smirk. If she was trying to impress him, she’d have to do better.

“I’ll have a, uh, porter.”

“Make that two,” said August, lifting two fingers.

The man swiftly poured them two tankards of beer so black and strong-smelling, August almost couldn’t wait to see Lilly take her first sip. An unusual lady she might be, but he doubted she was the beer drinking type usually.

Her hand moved to her bodice and August watched the movement for a moment before swiftly reaching into his pocket and handing over payment. She ceased her rummaging, her cheeks slightly red, and took the beer, choosing a seat by the filmy windows of the inn. August joined her. At least here, he’d be able to spot her aunt coming and put an end to this torture.

“Perhaps it would be wise to keep your coin elsewhere,” he advised in low tones, trying not to think about how the coins would be warm from her bare skin and if he’d allowed her to rummage a little longer, he might have stolen a peek at something neither he nor the barkeep should be seeing.

“I am not exactly endowed with places to keep it,” she said, opening her arms wide and gesturing to the spencer that did nothing more than cover her arms and the pretty purple gown that followed her lithe figure perfectly.

“No hidden pockets this time.”

“None I’m afraid. I did not realize I needed to dress informally and there are only so many hidden pockets one can demand of a seamstress.” She took a sip of beer, and he watched her lips purse carefully around the edge of the tankard. The moment the tang hit her tongue, he saw it, the slight wrinkle of her nose and the widening of her eyes.

“This is excellent beer,” he said and took a long gulp.

“Yes.” She nodded and mimicked him. “Excellent beer,” she said with a strangled tone. “You need not stay with me you know.”

“You forget I have an interest in ensuring Icarus is well too. He wasmyuncle’s horse.”

“Who was willed to me.”

The only reason Icarus hadn’t been given to August was his uncle hadn’t managed to change his will. August knew his uncle had a soft spot for Lilly and the woman spent quite a lot of time around his uncle’s horses. Their shared love of the animals was something on which his uncle would often comment. But Uncle Henry had been keen on August’s idea to use Icarus to establish a new racecourse at August’s estate—racing was his uncle’s passion. There was plenty of flat acreage perfect for races and the idea of horse’s thundering across land August never set foot on made him grin. His father would have hated it.

“You’re not having him, you know.” She tugged off her gloves, set them on the table and waved a finger at him. “Do not think you can charm me with that smile.”

He hid said smile behind the tankard. His reputation usually ensured the cooperation of any lady, but this day hadn’t gone anywhere near to plan. However, if nothing else this afternoon would prove an amusing one.

And a challenge. Lilly Musgrave was a pain in his rear to be sure.

But she was also about the most fascinating woman he had ever met.

Chapter Five

“Of course. It could have been you who arranged the theft of Icarus.” Lilly propped her elbow on the table then her chin on a balled fist and tightened her gaze on August.

It was a mistake really. Looking at him properly. So was the porter. Of course she’d drunk ale before. In fact, she tended to prefer the refreshing flavor of the light, golden ale her father had let her steal little sips of as a girl to most alcoholic drinks.

But she swore this thick almost black drink tasted like it had dirt in it and it made her head a little fuzzy. The fact was a few delicate sips of beer was quite different to the long gulps she’d been forced to take lest August look at her in yet more amusement.

Unfortunately those gulps had left her tongue loose. Or at least looser than usual. There would be those surprised to know she kept anything back at all. Being considered a scandalous Musgrave from quite the young age, Lilly never saw the point in being anything but. If people were to paint her with a brush, she might as well enjoy the benefits of the brushstrokes.

She hadn’t quite meant to accuse the man of theft, however. Not yet at any rate. More investigation was needed.

Nor had she meant to run away and frighten Aunt Sarah. Getting a scolding from a renowned rake like August Beresford was enough to chasten any girl.

His responding smirk didn’t help matters. She longed to lean forward and swipe it from his face or smother it.

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