The Secrets of Scorton Hall: An Historical Regency Romance Mystery by Kate Carteret

Author:Kate Carteret [Carteret, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Dashing Dandies Publishing
Published: 2019-03-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Jonathan had been more than a little pleased to finally get out of Lady Barton’s carriage. She had been determined that they use her carriage because, as she put it, it fit her rather well and an old lady’s comfort ought to be of paramount importance. However, as he sat opposite the two ladies on the almost two-hour journey to Hertfordshire, Jonathan thought that the carriage did anything but fit him.

It was one of the most uncomfortable rides he had ever had, and he thought there was not the least bit of give in the carriage’s springs at all.

“I shall be as quick as I can, but I cannot say exactly how long.” He said, peering in through the open window of the carriage at his companions.

They had arrived in the small village of Charlton and had very easily spotted the small coaching inn. Lady Barton said that ought to be as good a place as any to find out the whereabouts of the fine lady who had employed Daisy Marlow, and Jonathan agreed.

“As long as you are not in there all afternoon drinking ale, my dear Lord Beaumont, you will hear no objections from me.” Lady Barton said, and Felicia clearly struggled to stifle a laugh.

He made a point of catching those beautiful green eyes before he turned to make his way into the coaching inn. She really was becoming more and more attractive to him every day. Every humorous comment, every clever thought, every time a strand of that beautiful chestnut hair fell about her face. Every time he fell a little more in love with her.

The interior of the coaching inn was exactly what he had expected from the outside and the general condition of the neat little village. It was clearly not a wealthy area, but neither was it a poor one. It was just a respectable little place full of hard-working people, he was sure. Farmers and threshers and the like.

The landlord of the inn, a thick cotton half-apron tied around his waist, approached him with a smile.

“What can I get you, Sir?”

“Can I please have half a pint of your finest ale, Landlord?” Jonathan gave the man a friendly smile and settled himself down on one of the long-legged stools at the bar.

“Certainly, Sir.” The landlord said and made short work of providing the only customer at the bar with a drink.

“Thank you kindly,” Jonathan said and took a grateful few swallows of the ale. “I say, that is a very good ale, Landlord.”

“Good of you to say it, Sir.” The landlord smiled; he looked proud and well he might.

“By far the best ale I have tasted in a long time.” Jonathan was keen to keep the man talking.

“Are you staying in the village, Sir, or traveling through?” The landlord asked conversationally with no idea that he was playing right into Jonathan’s hands.

“I am only here for the day, Landlord.” Jonathan said and nodded. “In truth, I am looking for somebody and now that we two are in conversation, I wonder if you might be able to help me.

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