She paused, steaming mug partway to her lips. Through the curling haze, her dark eyes hit him like a blow.
“Well,” she said breathlessly, “I’ve always wanted to make a lasting impression on you.”
His heart contracted. “You needn’t prove anything to me.” He touched her cheek, warm and soft and slightly flushed. “And I’d say you made more than a lasting impression.”
The door slammed open, and they jerked apart.
“Who in heaven’s name do the two of you think you are?”
Rayne stood. “Mr. Todd”—keeper of the moral order—“I presume?”
The innkeeper glanced down to Rayne’s outstretched hand and back to his face. He did not reciprocate the gesture. “You could have lost those horses, young man. Never mind the carriage. And your lives. And for what reason? Some frivolous bet, I suppose, with your…”
His voice faded as he took a good look at Julia for the first time.
Julia slowly spread a napkin over her breeches and then folded her hands in her lap. Mr. Todd appeared too startled to speak.
Rayne seized his chance. “The postilion fell ill, sir. My sister’s trunk came loose and broke to pieces a few miles back, which is why she is—”
“Your sister.” He snorted. “Thisis a respectable establishment. Storm or no storm—you are going to have to move on.”
Rayne retrieved a goodly sum from his pocket and passed his fingers over the wilted bank notes.
Mr. Todd’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t take money from liars.”
Rayne frowned. After everything they’d been through, only he could end up stranding them both at an establishment run by an honest Methodist innkeeper. While he scrambled internally for a way to change the innkeeper’s mind, Julia stole into the place beside him.
She placed her small, hot hand on his arm. “It’s alright, darling.”
Her soft voice sank into him like heated water through chipped ice.
“We’ve trespassed on this good gentleman quite enough.”
“We have?” he asked.
She nodded solemnly before turning her baleful gaze to Mr. Todd. “You’re absolutely correct, Mr. Todd. We were reckless to have continued traveling on despite the storm. And we haven’t told the truth.”
“And what, young lady, is the truth?”
“We are eloping to Scotland under themostdire of circumstances.” She placed her hand over her stomach. “My family is in pursuit—which is why we took the risk.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “They’d rather a bastard, you see, than a child born of proper wedlock.” She hung her head. “We made a mistake. A mistake we wish to correct. We’ll continue on if we must, but we would rather wait out the storm. We’ll be off as soon as it is safe to travel, but for tonight, please give us shelter. We throw ourselves on your mercy.Please…for the sake of the babe, help us as we try to make things right.”
Even Rayne believed she was carrying his child, and heknewthey’d never lain together.
“Is that the truth?” Mr. Todd asked Rayne.
“The truth is I would do anything for this woman.” He placed his hand on the small of her back. “And”—his voice cracked—“for our future family.”
The man’s eyes dripped with distrust, but he hesitated. “Did he give you that bruise?”
Julia gasped. “No! Of course not. That—that was Jack.”
“Brother, I take it?”
Julia dropped her gaze to the floor, contrite.
Mr. Todd shook his head. “Very well…so long as you intend to make things right. But I won’t have you upstairs. You aren’t wedded yet.” He sighed deeply. “There’s a room we keep behind the kitchen for foaling. You can stay there for the night. But you, young man, will break bread with me, and, hopefully, I can impart a lesson or two while we dine.”
“Oh, thank you,” Julia exclaimed.
