Rogue in My Arms: a Rousing Regency Romance by Celeste Bradley

Author:Celeste Bradley [Bradley, Celeste]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Celeste Bradley
Published: 2024-02-03T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

Peace was restored to the inn. Arrangements had been made. It was the right decision, Colin was sure of it.

Except that it was going to look like something completely different. He didn’t like to think what Miss Filby was going to think of it.

Or Melody.

Oh, God. Melody.

His gut roiled at his own chosen path, but he refused to be swayed from it. The morning was passing and he and Hector had miles to make up. There was no time for argument.

Miss Filby sauntered over to where he was going through his valise on the taproom bar, removing only what he might need for a swift day’s journey. He wanted nothing to slow him down.

She looked at him with a smile in her eyes. “I think we can clean the worst of it,” she announced. “Mr. Rugg has gone to the next village for the carpenter. He needs new benches and more tankards from the potter.”

“I know,” Colin replied without looking at her. “I made compensation for the brawl, since I started it.” And then some, but that was between him and Rugg, at least for now.

The smile grew to reach her lips. “That were kind o’ you.”

He shrugged. “I pay my debts.”

“Lord Ardmore disappeared somewhere between sweeping and mopping,” she informed him with her eyes full of vengeful glee. “Assuming he’s headed back to his estate, he’s got a long walk ahead of him.”

Colin grunted. “Good riddance.” He leaned over to pick up the saddlebag he’d found in the stable.

Miss Filby blinked when she saw it. “You’re packin’.” The storm began to gather in those gray eyes. “You’re leaving us?”

That phrase hit home, for both of them. Colin looked away as he shoved the wrapped food into the saddlebag. “I’m only riding ahead to catch up with Chantal. I’ll bring her straight back here when I find her.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it.” She folded her arms. “Always Chantal. Don’t you ever get sick of yourself?”

He had to look up at that. “Don’t be impertinent!”

“I’m fairly certain I have nothing to lose by it.” She narrowed her eyes. “No one can slow you down, can they? You’re obsessed! You’ll leave behind people who need you, a child who loves you, just to chase that petty alley cat across the countryside!”

He straightened, looming over her. He couldn’t allow anyone to denigrate Melody’s mother, despite his own growing misgivings. “You’ll keep a civil tongue in your head while I’m gone, do you understand me? You are never to repeat that sort of talk around Melody!”

She paled with fury. “Who do you think I am? Some of us think a great deal of children. Some of us stick it out when it gets hard!”

He didn’t back down. “And some of us take action to solve the problem instead of simply flailing about, getting nowhere!”

Her head came up and her stormy eyes flashed lightning. If she had her way, he didn’t doubt he’d be struck dead. “Go on then,” she snarled. “Walk away.

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