Chapter 8 #2
Maggie was wise enough not to ask questions about the hood or his irritation with the valet in the inn yard.
Algernon led her toward the inn, nodding to the proprietor, but he did not stop to make conversation, and followed a deferential servant upstairs to their appointed room for the night.
He allowed Maggie to enter first, and she quickly looked around, her expression one of approval.
Sims directed Algernon’s trunks to be set down in a corner, handed Maggie’s travel case over, tipped the servants for their trouble, and then hurried everyone out of the room, quietly shutting the door behind them.
Maggie turned, clearly surprised to see him still standing there. “It’s a lovely room, but why are you so upset with everyone?”
“I am tense because you’re going to be angry with me.” He went to one of his trunks and set his hat on top of it, trying to decide how to handle this situation. It was one thing to pretend Maggie was his wife under a false name, but quite another to have her addressed as his duchess.
Maggie finally noticed his trunks piled up. “Shouldn’t your trunks be taken to your room?”
He winced. “They would if I had one. The inn had just one chamber I could rent tonight.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“When the proprietor saw us together in the carriage, he concluded that we were husband and wife.”
“Again, Algernon?”
“I could not correct his mistake because he knows exactly who I am. I’m prepared to let the mistake about our marriage stand, if you will keep out of sight for the night.”
“But we are not husband and wife.”
“Since I am known here by my title, I need you to convince others that you are indeed my…”
Her eyes bulged. “Your actual duchess?”
He cleared his throat. “The fib will ensure that you are treated better than you might have been in such a place, had our real relationship become known. Should I be asked about my wife’s appearance on my next visit, I will say they misremembered.”
She cocked her head to the side. “Misremembered? Algernon, are you married?”
“No. Not yet,” he admitted, feeling ashamed that he had not mentioned the purpose of his trip to London.
“Not yet?” Her eyes grew wider still. “What exactly is your status then?”
“Not married. Not betrothed,” he confessed. “I am on my way to meet with a likely bride, though.”
She reeled back a step. “You are on your way to propose marriage to another lady, and you want me to pretend to be her now?”
“We do get along quite well, so no one should question it,” he promised, taking a step back from her. “It would just be for one last night. If you keep to this room, I will spend the night elsewhere.”
“Where is elsewhere?” she asked, though her eyes narrowed with suspicion.
“Likely the taproom. That is where I will be going next, in fact. Until later, my dear,” he said, backing up another step.
Her eyes narrowed dangerously. “You’re leaving me already,” she complained. “Hardly married two days, and I’m passed over for a tankard in a tavern and a serving maid on your knee.”
She covered her face and broke into wretched sobs.
Algernon stared at her in shock—but then, she looked around her hands and winked at him. There was no sign of tears in her eyes. It had all been a performance meant to torment him.
He laughed grudgingly with her and held out his hand. Maggie slipped hers into it, and he squeezed her fingers tightly.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I don’t quite know,” he whispered. “I should have, though.”
Maggie winced. “Yes, you should have, and right from the start. I feel quite the fool.”
“You’re not the foolish one. You are funny and kind, and I know it was difficult for you to let me help you.
I’m going to go and let you enjoy the quiet and respite from me, and travel.
Sims should have gone in search of that bookshop we talked about by now, to make sure it is still there, but you don’t have to go if you don’t want to now. ”
Maggie bit her lip. “What if I want to see this fabled bookshop you promised to show me?”
“Then I will collect you in, say, an hour, and escort you there.”
“I don’t need your escort.”
“But the wife of an important man does,” he suggested. “The wife of the Duke of Ravenswood would never go anywhere unattended by her husband or a trusted servant. My mother had three companions who went with her everywhere.”
“Ah, I see,” she said, nodding. “And this is another way for you to play the devoted husband, I suppose.”
He inclined his head.
Maggie leaned close. “But what if you need protection from seducers. I am well aware that other women find you moderately appealing.”
“Moderately? You wound me.” He slapped his hand on his chest but laughed. “My dear girl, I have no intention of ever breaking my vows to you.”
Algernon colored as he realized that what he’d said sounded like they were already engaged in a real marriage.
Maggie skipped right over his remarks. “You were always impulsive as a boy, Algernon, kind and thoughtful to a mere girl. You have always been so good to me.” She stared at him a moment, and then a slow smile grew on her face.
“But who, I ask, will protect you from me, should I suddenly decide to consummate our fake marriage?”
He stared at her in shock for a split second before he realized she was teasing him yet again. He laughed, disappointed that he could not consummate anything, and raised her hand to his lips to kiss the back of it. “Minx.”
“It’s your own fault, you know.” She sighed heavily. “I only learned to misbehave because of you.”
And that was sadly true. Maggie became his match when it came to teasing.
Always willing to give as good as she got.
It was one of the reasons they had become friends so fast as children.
The only person she hadn’t warmed to was his father, and that proved her a girl of good sense.
Maggie had always been wise beyond her years.
“I will give you an hour to lose your sea legs, and then I’ll come for you so you can continue making fun of me while we find you something new to read on our continuing journey.”
“I could go on alone,” she suggested.
“No, you will not. Until you reach your father, you will be vulnerable to all kinds of indignities along the way. Besides mine.” Algernon would make sure she remained safe as she traveled this last distance. She’d be under his protection, and he would not be taking advantage of that again.
And his reward…the pleasure of her company and witty conversation for the next few lonely miles ahead.
He kissed her hand again and strode out of the room, grinning all the way to the taproom.
He found his valet there in a corner, looking unusually glum. “Is she angry?”
“No.”
Sims exhaled. “I was afraid I had spoiled things.”
Algernon called over the proprietor. “A tankard of ale, sir.”
“I wanted to convey my best wishes for your marriage, again, Your Grace, and hope your wife is comfortable during her stay with us. Should I send up a tea tray for Her Grace, Your Grace?”
Algernon glared at his valet and raised a brow, and saw him duck his head in embarrassment.
He turned back to the proprietor. “Yes. My duchess does enjoy tea in the early afternoon.” He supposed he would have to get used to saying that if he was to eventually marry Lady Kent.
“Send up a maid with some little biscuits, shortbread if you have it. Oh, and a bowl of fruit: apple, pear, but not stone fruit.”
“Of course.” The proprietor rushed away to do his bidding.
Algernon glanced at Sims, who appeared to be hiding a smile. “What are you smiling about?”
“You do know her tastes very well.”
“Yes, I suppose I do,” he muttered, scratching his jaw, which required a shave soon. He was rather astonished that he remembered that tiny, unimportant detail from so long ago. “She hates oysters as well.”
“Well, that’s a shame for her husband,” Sims quipped. “I hear that they can make a lady impassioned.”
Algernon glared at his valet steadily.
“It’s obvious you care deeply about her,” Sims finished with a shrug.
“I do, and…” He pursed his lips and shook his head.
“You seem to assume something could have happened between me and Maggie Black. But nothing has or ever should.” He would not disrespect her by making advances she would certainly rebuff, now she knew the truth.
He was lucky she didn’t hate him for what they had done together already.
“Were you not given a task upon our arrival?”
“I was, and it is complete,” Sims promised, quickly finishing his ale.
Algernon raised a brow. “And?”
“The proprietor of Gill & Sons Bookshop is gratified by the Duke of Ravenswood’s interest in his modest shop, and will wait for him and his beloved duchess all night if need be.”
“She’s not…” he said, and then swallowed down his correction. “I promised to escort Ma—my wife—there in the next hour, and we will all visit the bookshop together. It would do you good to turn your mind to something serious for a change instead of indulging in this ridiculous fantasy of yours.”
Sims beamed. “Very good, Your Grace.”
Algernon drained his tankard. Maggie was going to murder him eventually over this, or her father would, should he learn. However, he supposed pretending with Maggie was good practice for when he was actually married and had a duchess to consider the needs of.
A pity that when he said my wife and my duchess in the future, that the figure by his side would be his last choice.