Page 77 of A Deal for the Duke’s Virgin

“In some places, looking too openly makes one a target,” Christian remarked wryly. “Some people do not like being looked at.”

“Yes, and in other places, gawping is said to make you look common,” Thalia responded absently. “I’ve been scolded for that myself, more than once. It’s very tiresome to have to pretend not to be interested in anything, simply for the sake of looking genteel. Why, sometimes we’ll go to a ballroom that is most beautifully decorated. I want to look around, of course, but I can’t. And why? Because I will look uncouth. Ladies can’t be impressed. Unless, of course, they’re listening to a gentleman’s long and boring story about fishing or cards.”

Christian let out a surprised burble of laughter. “You sound as though you speak from experience.”

“I do,” she murmured fervently. “I do.”

The woman returned, this time flanked by a scruffy-looking man who was probably her husband.

“Sir, it’s wonderful to have a gentleman of your calibre here,” the man gushed. “I am Mr. Hobbs, and this is Mrs. Hobbs. Your food and beer will be out in a moment. We are glad to have you!”

Christian paused, frowning. “A gentleman of… my calibre?”

“Of course.” Mr. Hobbs made a vague gesture to encapsulate all of Christian. “It’s obvious.”

Damn, Christian thought moodily. Something has given me away. They won’t guess I’m a duke, but they might think that I’m a lord. What was it?

He glanced down at himself, and the glint of his freshly polished Hessians caught his eye.

Ah.

That, coupled with the undeniable high quality of his clothing, would likely tip them off. Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs were no doubt skilled at reading their patrons. They would have to tell at a glance who was respectable and who was not. Who was likely to make trouble, who was likely to run out without paying their bill, and who was up to no good.

No wonder they’d sniffed him out.

With a sigh, he cast an apologetic look at Thalia, who had missed nothing of the interaction and was currently hiding a smile.

“We’re airing out our best bedroom for you,” Mrs. Hobbs added, with a wink and a nod. “The bridal suite.”

“That is very convenient,” Christian drawled, “because my wife and I are newlyweds.”

He was not entirely sure what mischief prompted him to say as much. At any rate, out it came.

Thalia bit back a shocked gasp, just in time to smile coyly when Mrs. Hobbs gave a cry of delight, clapping her hands together.

“Oh! Newlyweds! I can’t recall the last time newlyweds passed through here on the way out of London. We get plenty of them on the way back, you know, traveling back from Gretna Green. Disgraceful, it is, women marrying without their parents’ consent. We turn them out if we discover them. You wouldn’t believe the lies people concoct in order to stay here with somebody they are not married to, sir,” she added, shaking her head at Christian.

“I’m sure I would not.”

“They say they are brother and sister but look nothing alike! And I certainly never looked at my brother the way those women do theirs.”

Thalia cleared her throat. When he glanced at her, she lifted her eyebrows meaningfully. See? the look seemed to say. I was right.

“Or they’ll claim to be wed but insist on separate rooms,” Mr. Hobbs piped up. “What foolishness!”

“I couldn’t agree more,” Christian responded gravely.

He had intended to ask for separate rooms for himself and Thalia, but then it had occurred to him that she would need to be home before dawn. Sneaking out of the house was all well and good until she got caught. If Jonathan woke up in the morning and found her gone without a trace, every magistrate and Bow Street Runner in the city would be mobilized.

And there would be consequences. For one thing, Thalia’s reputation would never recover. There was never an instance where a young woman could spend the night away from home, alone. Never.

“Well then, let’s be grateful that you two are the real thing,” Mrs. Hobbs laughed, clapping her hands again.

“Just wed today?” Mr. Hobbs prompted. “Ah, how sweet. Let’s see a kiss, then.”

Christian stilled. “I think not, my good man.”

“Ah, indulge me! As Mr. Hobbs said, we don’t see many young married folks coming through here. On the first day of your union, I imagine you want to be kissing all the time!”