Page 86 of The Lady Was Lying
When the carriage entered a bustling stable yard nearly an hour later, Belinda alighted as soon as it halted. Just like the previous evening, she sailed into the inn and demanded attention.
“Two rooms that are not connected?” the innkeeper asked, his bushy mustache emphasizing his frown.
“Yes. One for my brother and his wife. One for my husband and myself.”
“Two rooms for tonight?” he asked.
“Yes.” Was he daft?
“Until morning?” he clarified
“Yes,” she repeated, getting annoyed.
“Are you sure? Rain is in the air. It might be wise to continue on your way while the weather is cooperating. You could easily reach?—”
“Do you have two rooms available?” she interrupted.
“Of course. It’s the middle of the day. No one remains at a posting inn unless the weather is poor.”
No one except for her, apparently. “We would like the rooms.”
“Belinda,” James said from the doorway. “What are you doing?”
“Securing rooms for the evening. This gentleman believes rain is forthcoming.”
“But—” the innkeeper started and then stopped when she held up her hand and shushed him.
“With you and Edward riding, we should settle in before the weather turns.”
James looked over his shoulder. “It’s still sunny out, and we can always seek shelter in the carriage if necessary.”
“It’s going to rain,” she insisted.
He paused and tipped his head to the side. “You want to stay here for the night?”
“I think it would be best.”
He studied her for a moment and then nodded. “I’ll speak with Edward and then join you in our chamber.”
The innkeeper led her upstairs to a room at the top of the stairs. The set of armchairs before the hearth and a small table near the windows were the only furniture. Before she could question him, he shuffled across the sparse room and pushed open a narrow door.
“The bedchamber is here.”
She crossed the space and peeked inside.
“Thank you.” Two rooms were acceptable as long as there was only one bed.
The innkeeper departed, and she was left alone with her thoughts. Now that she’d gotten what she wanted, she wasn’t sure what to do. It occurred to her that she could make her wishes known if she stripped off her gown and displayed herself on the bed as she’d done the day before, but for some reason, the brazenness that had defined her life didn’t appeal.
Sinking onto the hard mattress and tapping her fingers against the worn linen covering it, she considered what would happen if she simply waited for him.
Earlier that morning, he hadn’t required seduction to couple with her, but waking up with his rod pressing against her backside was different than stopping at an inn while the sun still shone.
“Your bro—” He halted just inside the doorway. “Why do you look pensive? Is something amiss?”
“You are physically attracted to me,” she said.
It wasn’t exactly a question, but he treated it as such. “Of course. You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” He came closer and sank to his haunches in front of her. “Why are you questioning what you already know?”
