The Unintended Bride by Kelly McClymer

Author:Kelly McClymer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fiction
Publisher: Kelly McClymer
Published: 2011-08-16T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Buryton Abbey. They were going, then, Hero realized as she listened to Arthur describe the challenges he must meet within the next three months. They were set upon their quest. Where it would lead them they could neither of them say.

Still, the questions she had asked, even the ones that had turned his expression serious, had made him less cold and aloof to her. She leaned against him, enjoying the way his arm had come around her to steady her as the carriage jolted along. And she most especially enjoyed the feel of Arthur — her husband — sitting warm and solid next to her on the carriage seat.

She had not argued when he said her presence would not hamper his success. But he had only been saving her pride. She knew she must work not to be a hindrance. Fortunately, they had three months for him to meet his challenges.

Three months. Perhaps by then she would have proved she was indeed a worthy wife. She smiled to herself. No doubt she could help him meet at least the challenge of Chivalry. With that hope in her mind, his arm around her, and the dawn light beginning to shine into the carriage, she fell asleep.

She woke to find their quest to examine the stones of Buryton Abbey had led them to a small and dingy inn that smelled of old ale and badly managed privies. Still half asleep, she stared at the sight before her with dismay mingled with the odd feeling that she had not completely woken up and was trapped in a nightmare.

"I believe we are close," he said, seeing that she was awake. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I will return swiftly to tell you where we are." He leaped out to consult with the coachman with more alacrity than she possessed after such a long journey cramped inside a carriage.

There was still some light in the sky, so she dared to hope that this was not their destination, that they would not stop here for longer than it took to receive the necessary directions. Arthur dashed that hope when, after a quick consultation with the driver, he put his head back into the carriage to say, "This appears to be the only convenient establishment for miles. But don't fret, I will secure two rooms to ensure you are comfortable."

Two rooms. She stared dubiously at the inn but did not argue with him. Why did they need two rooms? He had seemed willing enough last night to treat her as a wife. If not for the interruption of the note —

Arthur's lips were pressed tightly together when he came back out to the carriage.

"What is the matter?" Judging by his expression, she was not certain that she wanted the answer.

"I doubt the humanity of the man who is sending us these notes," was his cryptic comment.

For a moment she thought they would get back into the carriage and drive away. But no, he held out his hand to her and helped her down into the unkempt inn yard.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.