No doubt an empty one because the man lived on borrowed funds and would not squander the precious little he had on paying scoundrels to accost them on the road to Somerset.
Alex was armed and so was Trent, if it came to that.
But he doubted it was anything more than the idle ranting of a sore loser because no scoundrel was going to agree to attack a duke for anything less than a king’s ransom.
Caruthers had to borrow funds to have his boots shined.
“You areunmarried, Caruthers,” Alex said in his most intimidating tone.“So how can you lose a wife you never had?But if I ever catch you nearmywife or ever insultmywife again, I’ll introduce your face to the cobblestone street before you catch your next breath.”
Caruthers raised his fisted hands.“Just you go ahead and try it.”
“No, Caruthers,” he said with a sigh.“You are not worth the trouble.”
“And your pretty wife?Was she worth the trouble?Or did she refuse to pleasure you last night?”
Several patrons gasped again.
“That tears it,” Alex muttered and was about to toss him out of the tavern, but Tulip stood up and placed her hand on his arm to hold him back.
“He truly isn’t worth it, my love.He is no gentleman, just a petulant loser.Punching him will only create scandal.This is what he hopes to achieve, although heaven knows why he is still bothering with you or me.”
She now turned to Caruthers and spoke loud enough even for passers by to hear.“I rejected you, my lord.Everyone but you realizes it.Are you that deluded to believe I would ever marry a worthless fortune hunter such as yourself?What were you hoping to accomplish by coming here to see me and my husband off?To shame us?How can I ever be shamed when I have married the best man of all?Ours is a love match.You, on the other hand, aremeaninglessto me, so your effort is wasted.I would sooner marry a worm than ever marry you.”
Well, that was a verbal kick in the nuts, Alex thought with some amusement.
He did not realize Tulip had it in her to stand up to the oaf, but was pleased he was mistaken.
Caruthers cursed them and stormed off.
Several patrons laughed and others began to clap.
Tulip nodded to acknowledge them, and then sat down again.
Alex sank into his chair and watched her with interest as she calmly finished her tea, although her cheeks were pink with ire and gave her away.“Are you all right, Tulip?”
She nodded.“Are you?”
He laughed.“Yes, little gladiator.”
“I’m not all that brave,” she admitted.“I would not have said anything were you not standing beside me.I knew you would protect me.”
“Always, sweetheart.”He leaned forward and caressed her cheek.“Tulip…”
“Truly, I am all right.You needn’t fret about that cur upsetting me.”
“It isn’t only that.”He regarded her with an investigative eye, his gaze sharp and intense.“You called me ‘my love’ and mentioned ours was a love match.Did you mean it?Or was it because you thought the situation called for it?”
“The situation called for it.But…would you mind if I did mean it?”
CHAPTER 10
TULIP STARED ATher handsome husband as they sat in his carriage and rode out of London.
She wished he had answered her question about theirs being a love match.
Would you mind if I did mean it?
He had said nothing, merely smiled and then escorted her to their carriage to begin the journey to Somerset.
