Mr. Dale and the Divorcée by Sophie Barnes

Author:Sophie Barnes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sophie Barnes

13

It was slow going getting to the first house James had spotted. With one horse limping along and the other forced to pull harder, it took at least twice as long as it would have done at a regular pace.

Eventually when they did arrive, James saw that the first house wasn’t nearly as large as it looked from a distance – more of a cottage really.

Nevertheless, he went to knock on the door.

“Yes?” inquired the older man who answered. About a head shorter than James, he was slim of build with large bushy eyebrows resting above a pair of inquisitive eyes.

“Excuse me for bothering you,” James said, “but one of my horses’ shoes has sprung and with the next inn quite a ways off, I’m hoping you’ll let us make use of your home while my coachman tends to the horse.”

“Aye, but considering the late hour, I reckon you’ll want to stay until morning unless you mean to travel by dark.” The man peered past James. “We can put up your coachman, but you and your wife will have to stay with the Mitchells. Give me a second. I’ll be right back.”

The door closed, leaving James alone for a moment. He briefly considered correcting the man’s misconception regarding Mrs. Lawson. She’d probably prefer it if they continued pretending they were brother and sister. But setting them up for the night would be simpler if they were able to share a bed. The very idea of such a thing occurring was enough for him to keep his mouth shut on the subject when the old man returned.

“I’ve told the missus to offer your wife some tea while I help you and your coachman with the horses.” The old man shoved his arms into his jacket while striding toward the carriage. “Once they’ve been taken care of, we’ll take you up to the Mitchells.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“Name’s Walker.”

James glanced at the older man. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Walker. I’m Mr. Dale, and this here is my coachman, Green. If you’ll excuse me a moment, I’ll just have a word with my wife.”

Funny how easily that particular word slipped off his tongue. James strode after Mrs. Lawson, who’d wandered a bit farther up the road.

“It looks like we’re in luck,” he said when he reached her.

She turned toward him, the glow from the late afternoon sun affording her with an ethereal look that nearly took his breath away. Shading her eyes, she glanced toward the carriage where Mr. Walker and Green were presently unfastening the horses. “It’s kind of him to help.”

“There is one catch though,” James confessed. When she directed her gaze to his he said, “Mr. Walker assumed you’re my wife and since I’d rather not complicate matters, I didn’t correct him.”

Mrs. Lawson stared at him for a moment as what this implied sank in. Her eyes widened a fraction. “Why wouldn’t you tell him what we’ve told everyone else thus far?”

“Because I don’t think it would make any difference.”

“Of course it would.

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