“That’s fine. We will take it.” He had no intention of stepping foot inside the room. “What number?”
“Number four, on the first floor. I can have someone show you the way, my lord.”
Malcolm glanced at the front door where all the luggage had been unloaded. “Unnecessary. We are not idiots. We can find our way.”
“Of course, my lord. I would never… It’s down that way.” The innkeeper pointed to the back of the inn.
Malcolm grabbed the key from the man and then pulled Adeline by the hand over to her trunk. “Let’s head to our room, dear.” He picked up the small trunk and headed down the corridor.
“What is the plan, Kingsbury?” Adeline muttered. “I feel like you are pulling me around like a small child does a rag doll.”
“The plan is to find a back exit and head straight to the stables. We’ll hire a conveyance and get out of here as fast as possible.”
“But it’s already dark. Isn’t it unsafe to be on the road at night?”
“Not as unsafe as being in this inn with those three thugs. I saw them in the dining room. They will surely wait until later and then try to break into our room. But we will not be there.” He glanced down the hallway.
There was no door at the end, but it did intersect with another corridor to the left. When they got to the corner, he could see that the shorter arm had a door at the end. He breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t really have a plan further than sneaking them away from here.
“We don’t need to travel far. Just to the next village, perhaps.”
They exited into the cold night air and onto the back lane behind the inn. To the left, torches from the busy stables glowed through the twilight.
Adeline tapped his shoulder. “Let me take one side.” She pointed to the trunk.
“I’ve got it.”
“Malcolm.” She shot him a sweet but stern look.
He sighed and set down the trunk. They each took a handle and hefted the trunk between them. He adjusted the strap for his satchel so it sat more comfortably across his shoulder. Seeing those three men lying in wait had upset him. His need to protect Adeline was bone-deep, and he knew even with his strength, he wouldn’t be a match for all three of them. He glanced down at her. The determined set of her shoulders and the furrow between her brows meant she was figuring things out. She didn’t appear scared, and he was glad she wasn’t a hysterical-prone woman.
They made their way quickly to the barns. Inside, the horses from the coach they arrived on were being rubbed down, their bridles removed. The next coach wouldn’t leave until six in the morning. Malcolm approached an older man who looked to be in charge. “Sir, I need to rent a post chaise to take my wife to the next village.”
The stable master frowned. “I don’t recommend driving these roads at night. Perhaps stay the night, sir.”
“That’s the problem. There are no rooms left. We need to get to the next inn.” It wasn’t untrue; the innkeeper had given them the last room.
Adeline stepped up next to him and gave a huge yawn while blinking sleepily at the man. “I am so tired these days.” She put a hand to her stomach.
The stable master’s eyes widened. “Well, yes, I understand. I tell you what. I live over the next village west of here. It’s not big enough for a proper inn, but my sister runs a respectable boarding house. I’ll rent you a post chaise, and you can take your wife there for the night. Tell my sister Tom sent you, and she’ll have a room for you. The thing is, I don’t have a driver available.”
“Thank you,” Malcolm interrupted. “I can drive my wife. No need for an extra man.”
“All right, that’ll be ten guineas.”
Malcolm paid for the chaise and gathered Adeline in his arms while the horse was getting hitched. “You are brilliant,” he whispered into her ear.
She grinned and rubbed her nose along his jaw. “That’s a compliment I can believe.”
“Are you all right spending the night in one room pretending to be man and wife?” He pulled back to see her face.
She bit down on her lower lip. “Yes, I don’t want to sleep alone tonight.”
He growled low. “I’ll keep you safe. I promise.”
Soon, the chaise was ready. The small conveyance could hold two passengers facing front, with windows on three sides, making the interior feel less cramped. Usually, a postilion would ride the horse pulling the vehicle, but Malcolm didn’t mind taking the job after spending most of the afternoon and evening in the cramped stagecoach. The chaise was lightweight and fast. He prayed they could ride to the next town without encountering any trouble.
The stablemaster must have read the concern in his expression because he clapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. I have never heard about highwaymen in these parts. The most precarious danger is the poorly maintained roads. Don’t go too fast. Avington is straight west. Take a left on the first road outside of town. It should take you under an hour. My sister is Mrs. Shelley. Her place has a red-painted wooden sign hanging in front. The Red Rooster is what it’s called.”
