Page 20 of Fair Weather Enemies
“Not copper, you dolt! Silver! I need a silver coin! Immediately, before it is too late!”
Jane stood swiftly and pressed into Mr. Gormley’s palm the coin Mr. Pugh had given her at the docks. He studied it and grinned. Without a word, he flung it wildly into the falling darkness.
“Why did you do that?” Jane asked.
“Did not the angels tell you?”
Jane glanced at Adam with wide eyes. He returned a casual wink. “Of course, sir. But perhaps you might remind us.”
“Oh, yes.” Gormley settled back into his seat and recaptured the reins before twisting toward them. “To keep away the leprechauns. Nasty little buggers. That coin will keep them busy searching for a good while.”
Adam and Jane locked eyes before bursting into laughter. Jane put her back to the man and mouthed the word “daft.”
“Do not laugh, young ’uns.” Mr. Gormley sounded offended. “It works every time. Not once have the little devils raided my wagon.”
Yes, the man was daft. But also amusing. Adam bowed low. “My apologies, sir. How can I make amends?”
“Thought you’d never ask, lad. Light the lantern here and walk the road in front of the mules so they don’t stumble in the darkness. We’ve another four hours to Carlisle, after all.”
Four hours later, Adam’s amusement was a distant memory.
Chapter Nine
At breakfast the next morning, Jane perused the interior of the drab inn and grimaced. “So, this is where decrepit inns go to die.”
Perched on the edge of a chair with his boots off, Adam rubbed his feet while emitting a succession of low groans, apparently ignoring her passive complaint. Mr. Barlow heard, though.
“Owing to the late hour of our arrival last night, this seemed the best we could do.”
“The place is not so bad,” said Aunt Hester. “I find it…quaint.”
If she had not wrinkled her nose when commenting, Jane might have believed her. “Quaintness must rely on the eye of the beholder, Auntie. This hovel leaves me pining for the galley of theWayfarer.”
“Might I remind you of your desire to save money,” said Barlow. “The price was certainly right.”
“If you consider paying for bed lice a bargain.”
Adam shot abruptly to his feet. “Surely, this is superior to debtor’s prison!”
She jumped in surprise at his visceral reaction. Annoyance painted his features. The long walk the night before must have stretched him to his limits. Nevertheless, she could not let his outburst go unchallenged.
“You would like that, would you not? For me to enter debtor’s prison while you settle comfortably on your debt-free estate with a new wife in your arms?”
His annoyance appeared to fade into a soft, sad frown. He shook his head and sat again. “No. I would not. I cannot stomach the prospect of your imprisonment. Such a thing should not happen to anyone.”
“Even to your enemy?”
“Even to my enemy.”
She dipped her chin in acknowledgment. However, having let loose her bothersome sass, she struggled to corral it. She peered at him with growing amusement. “Then if we succeed, will you simply give me the gold without the formality of a coin toss?”
A slight smile graced his lips. “Not a chance. But I commend your attempt.”
Barlow leaned forward and drew them into a discreet huddle. “I suggest we not discuss gold in the hearing of others. I have seen what the prospect of riches does to desperate people. We should not invite trouble.”
“Capital suggestion, Mr. Barlow,” said Hester. “I hear tell of a lovely commons area adjacent the castle. Perhaps we may converse there in private.”
“What of our baggage?” Jane asked.
