Mr. Darcy's Journey by Abigail Reynolds

Author:Abigail Reynolds
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: 19th century historical fiction Historical British Fiction, duke aristocrats nobility wealthy rich, classic historical fiction classic historical romance, European historical fiction European historical romance, regency historical fiction regency historical romance, Variations, Regency, Pemberley, Jane Austen
Publisher: Abigail Reynolds
Published: 2016-06-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

It was only Frederica’s continued gaiety and exchanges with their escort that had allowed Duxbury to maintain a superficial air of good cheer as they arrived at the inn. No doubt her laughing and joking was as much of an act as his, but she was somehow managing to continue it.

Of course, she might not have been aware just how dangerous the situation had been, and kissing him had been nothing but an act for her, not the torture it had been for him, the promise of heaven denied him. He should count his blessings; at least now she did not seem angry with him.

Somehow they had to escape this boisterous crowd. “Landlord, a drink for all my friends, and one for yourself.” He tossed a pouch of money over the bar as the men cheered.

A giggling barmaid led Frederica up the stairs with Duxbury following close behind. From the bar came uproarious laughter and shouts of “Go to it, lad!”

Little did they know.

Finally they were in a bedroom and the door shut behind them. If only he could sag back against that door, but now he had a new role to play. He had hoped to make some progress with Frederica during the day’s journey as they argued about The Rights of Man. By God, she would be able hold her own in a meeting of longtime revolutionaries! But now he had to protect that progress, and that meant not frightening her.

There was a bottle of wine beside the bed. He poured two glasses and took one to Frederica, being careful not to let his fingertips touch hers. “I am duly impressed,” he said mildly. “You handled that scene very well indeed.” If only she did not look so appealing with her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling! It was all he could do not to take her in his arms.

She took a cautious sip of the wine and made a face as if she found it sour. “It was most interesting to see you in action. I found it exhilarating.”

Exhilarating. Well, there were much worse ways she could have taken it, and she had not slapped him. But those rosy lips, swollen by his kisses, called to him all too powerfully.

Wrenching his eyes away from her, he strode to the window and yanked the curtains closed with more force than was necessary. He took several deep breaths before he could turn back to her with a calm expression. “They will be watching us otherwise. Country manners can be a bit shocking.”

“I have already discovered that. I may have three brothers, but my ears may never recover from some of the things I heard today!” Her tone was pleasant and conversational, a far cry from the anger she’d shown him since Rosings.

He would have to play this very carefully. “It would likely not be wise for you to leave this room tonight, as anything which calls our marriage into question could create a dangerous situation. But you need not worry; I will sleep on the floor and you may ignore my presence completely if you choose.

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