Malcolm debated how much to tell Bosely about the true reason they were fleeing her father.
He needed his help, though. “Bosely, the elopement is not the only reason for our hasty retreat from London. Her father is the subject of an investigation of stolen goods that came in on a shipment from the Mediterranean. I needed to get her out of town for her safety, which now has been threatened again.” He lowered his voice. “We can’t continue to her brother’s estate. I plan to take her somewhere safe.” Malcolm grimaced.
The logical solution was to take her to the one place he thought he would never set foot again. He sighed. No one would ever look for them on the remote coastal estate.
“I need you to take the carriage back to London. See Lieutenant Trent and tell him what’s happened and that I am taking her to my estate in Dorset. He needs to tell Admiral Daniels.”
“Ad-admiral Daniels?” Bosely tugged on his collar with one finger.
“Don’t worry, you don’t have to do anything but report to Trent. He will tell the admiral what’s happened. Can you do this?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good man. Be careful and make haste. I will rent us a post chaise and head west.”
Unfortunately, there was no conveyance to be had. Damn festival. Malcolm bought them tickets on the next stage. Hopefully, he would be able to rent something at the next stop. The proprietor assured him that there would be more options in Salisbury. He bustled Adeline into the stagecoach. It was full of passengers, and he instantly regretted his choice as he tried to keep his long legs bent and out of the way of the older lady across from him. Beside her, her husband was short and rotund. And next to him was a thin, balding man who turned out to be a vicar traveling to report to his new post.
Adeline didn’t seem bothered by the crush inside the coach. She tucked her carpet bag between her feet and pulled a book from within. Malcolm watched her with a small smile. As she opened her book to read, she pushed her spectacles up her nose. He loved it when she did that. Although he couldn’t fathom why the small gesture made his blood thrum. Everything about her, from the graceful arch of her neck to the lush curves her modest dresses could not hide, aroused him. And dear Lord, all that hair—those raven corkscrew curls were so beautiful. A man could drown in them. He imagined the way her hair would spill down onto him as she rode his cock.
He closed his eyes and pulled his hat over his lap. This was no time to get hard dreaming about swiving Adeline Amberley. Damn, if he could only have one peaceful night to seduce her properly and convince her to be his. Adeline glanced up from her book, sending him a quizzical look. Had he vocalized the low groan that echoed in his head at the thought of being in bed with her?
He sent her a smile. “All right?” he asked softly.
“Yes, you? You look a bit uncomfortable mashed against the wall there.” She patted his knee, sending a rush of heat straight to his cock.
Christ, he was going to combust at the slightest touch from her. “No, I will be fine. I’m used to small quarters.”
Adeline nodded and returned to her book. He let out a quiet sigh as he adjusted in his seat. An hour later, the sound of horses’ hooves on the road came from behind them. Malcolm flipped back the curtain to look outside as three riders passed the coach. There hadn’t been too much traffic since they left Andover. Only two other private carriages had passed the slower-paced stage.
But these riders slowed as they rode past, and as one rider turned to stare at the coach, Malcolm recognized the face of the man who had attacked Adeline. He let the curtain drop. Damnation. He’d hoped that they would follow Bosely. He was doing a piss-poor job of getting her away from those vile coves. He cracked the curtain and peered out again. The man and his compatriots rode past, picking up speed, and disappeared ahead of the coach.
It was not too surprising that they had moved on, as Malcolm knew that the stage had a man sitting on top with a rifle for protection against highwaymen and troublemakers. But he had no doubt that the men Rawlings had sent after his daughter would be waiting for them at the next stop.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Malcolm leaned inclose to Adeline’s ear as the other passengers exited the coach. “I expect that our nasty company has followed us. I saw them ride by an hour or so ago.”
Adeline gasped and clutched his hand.
“Let’s keep with the crowd as they enter the inn. Don’t worry, I have a plan.”
“What is it?”
He shook his head. “I’ll tell you inside.” Then he followed the vicar out of the carriage and reached a hand back inside for Adeline. She clutched her carpet bag to her chest with both hands, so he grabbed her around the waist and lifted her to the ground. Then tucking an arm around her shoulders, he followed the other passengers inside.
The inn’s front room had high ceilings striped with fat wood beams. A front desk to the right of the door held a thick guest book. The harried innkeeper helped the other guests ahead of them. A set of double doors opened to a large dining room on the left side of the room. Malcolm immediately noticed the three men hunched over tankards of ale at one of the tables with a view to the front. He quickly turned his attention to the line and the innkeeper. Soon it was their turn.
“I need one room for me and my wife.”
“Yes, sir. How many nights?”
“Just one.”
“Name?”
“The Marquess of Kingsbury.”
The man’s eyes flew up from his guestbook to stare wide-eyed. “My lord, I am afraid I only have one of my more modest rooms left. It has been a busy day for travelers.”
