Page 9 of Leap of Faith
“Where do you intend to stay tonight?” he asked.
“Our maid has taken our carriage and is arranging accommodations. They were to return for us in one hour.”
“You set off across country with no chaperone, and you intend to stay at a public inn with only a maid?” His tone was quiet but dangerous to those who knew him well.
“What choice did we have? Your secretary put us at a hotel in London,” she argued.
“The Pulteney, I assume? It is hardly a common coaching inn. Any manner of person could see you unaccompanied at the latter and consider you fair game.”
There was only one thing to be done. “You will have to stay here for the night. My guests and I will stay at the inn, then we will escort you back to Town tomorrow.”
“There is really no need, my lord. As I was saying, if you would but release my portion to me now, we may set up household and not bother you again. In a matter of months, I will be of age.”
Dominic opened the door to his study and called for Barrett. “Please inform my guests that we will be removing to the village inn. Have Mrs. Barrett prepare rooms for the Misses Whitford.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Dominic was already regretting an uncomfortable night at the Cork and Barrel with visions of straw mattresses and fleas, but he eased his discomfort somewhat by the thought that his friends would be made to suffer along with him.
Dominic turned back to the ladies to see Miss Whitford’s eyes flashing fire.
“Is it common practice amongst thetonnot to answer questions put to them?”
“You did not ask a question, but made a statement.” He began to leave the room, but she called out to him.
“When may we finish this discussion?”
He turned slightly. “Nothing shall occur until we are returned to Town and I have read the will.”
“I cannot leave my sisters indefinitely!”
“No, I suppose not. I will have Satterlee send for them.”
“Well!” He thought she also then muttered, “Insufferable, odious, high-handed ogre!”
Had she seen his answering smile, he mused, she likely would have thrown something at his head. It was probably criminal how much he was enjoying baiting her, but nevertheless, no decisions could be made until he knew what his obligations were.
He and his friends were soon packed and mounted and on their way to the village inn.
“You are going to have your hands full, Dom, with beauties like that. And two of ’em!” Freddy remarked wistfully.
Didn’t he know it.
“I say, Dom, it’s not very sporting of you to make us go to the inn. Someone should be there to protect them,” Montford added.
“There are at least a dozen servants. You know dashed well their reputations would not withstand being under the roof with the four of us.”
“Who would tell? And you are their guardian,” Rotham, the most dangerous of all, remarked unhelpfully.
“Will you bring them out?”
“There are three more, you say?”
“Do they have dowries?”
Dominic did not bother to answer the questions they peppered him with. He was too preoccupied with his own conflicting thoughts on the Misses Whitford.
CHAPTER3
