Page 57 of A Duchess Mistaken
Johnathan looked at her, eyes glittering with humor. “Shall we?”
Agnes’ smile was slow to come. When it did, she felt the pleasure all the way to the tip of her toes as she nodded. “Lead the way.”
And I shall follow you anywhere.
CHAPTER 21
“Iam not setting foot in an establishment like this.”
Agnes fought the groan that trembled up her throat, turning to the Countess of Reeds instead. She didn’t bother masking the overly patient look she gave the countess, who sneered in response.
“Perhaps you would much rather return to the manor, my lady,” Agnes said in a sweet tone. “We wouldn’t dare to make you uncomfortable.”
“You would enjoy watching me leave, wouldn’t you?” Lady Reeds hissed, her upper lip curling in disdain.
Agnes wasn’t perturbed by the animosity. She was used to the countess’ manner of speaking towards her by now and had actually grown to enjoy taunting the older woman. “I would not dream of keeping you,” Agnes responded sweetly.
“Agnes, please,” Caroline stepped in. She came to Agnes’ side, laying a hand on her arm. The look of distress on her face calmed Agnes immediately.
She released a sigh. They were all standing outside the pub Paul had told them about—all except Paul himself. Her brother hadn’t bothered waiting on them, stating that he would go in and secure their seats by the time they caught up.
Agnes wasn’t entirely surprised to know that Lady Reeds was protesting eating at the pub. The establishment was teeming with other villagers, a rustic look infrastructure that was the last place someone as haughty as the countess would set foot in. Agnes was surprised the earl hadn’t voice his complaints as well.
As if he sensed her thoughts, Lord Reeds spoke up. “Surely there must be some other place we may eat. Or better yet, let us all return to the manor. We have been out for long enough, I believe.”
“I have told our cook that we shan’t be returning for lunch, my lord,” Johnathan spoke up. “I’m afraid it will be heavily delayed if we were to do so without prior warning.”
“A delayed lunch would be far better to eating here.” Lord Reeds slid his judgmental gaze over the pub, lip curling with disgust.
“On the contrary, my lord,” Solomon spoke up, holding the arm of his dear wife. “I’m afraid I may perish if I delay eating much longer. Our outing has worked up an appetite.”
“And he is rather crabby when he is hungry,” Mary jumped in, eyes twinkling with humor.
“As am I,” Agnes said before her father had the chance to counter that statement. “And standing around like this is only making me hungrier. I’m sure Paul is waiting for us.”
She didn’t give them any more time to argue. She picked up her skirts and headed into the pub without another word. To her pleasure, Johnathan was right on her heels.
The pub was rather small on the inside but the smell of spiced meat tinged the air and sent her stomach into an uproar. Agnes spied Paul on the other end of the dining space at the only table large enough to seat all of them.
The pub’s owner came hurrying over, sinking into a bow. “Y-your Grace! I had not expected you. If I knew you were coming, I would have closed the pub to the public to allow you your privacy.”
“Then it is a good thing I did not send word,” Johnathan responded, clapping a hand on the man’s shoulders. “I do not want to prevent anyone from having their meals here. Please, pretend that I am not here.”
“I do not think that will be that simple,” Agnes commented softly.
Johnathan noted her words with a nod. “Then pretend I am just another patron,” he told the pub owner. The pub owner nodded but did not seem very confident.
Still, he led the way over to where Paul was sitting. Agnes felt a wave of pleasure, a smile touching her lips when Johnathan pulled the chair out for her. Only a moment later did she notice that Caroline was hovering too, clearly expecting Johnathan to do the same for her.
“Sit here, Miss Caroline,” Johnathan said to her, offering her the chair on the other side of him. She gave him a soft, graceful smile. “And you brother, sit here.”
Johnathan all but shoved Christopher into the chair. Christopher and Caroline exchanged looks of confusion. Agnes pretended not to notice what was happening.
“What took you all so long?” Paul asked, still bouncing in his chair in excitement. “I have been waiting for ages.”
“There was a lively debate outdoors on whether we should dine here or not,” Mary told him.
Paul’s eyes widened, seeming utterly confused. “Why wouldn’t we? This is a lovely place, is it not? And do you smell that? A heavenly scent. I’m sure the meal I am about to have will have me longing for more for the rest of my life.”
