Chapter 2 #3
“I can do that.” Billy nodded. “They’re real beauties. Thoroughbreds, I bet. I used to race horses until I broke my leg.” He grinned, showing several missing teeth. “Good thing I wasn’t a horse, or they would’ve shot me.” He laughed uproariously, and Allegra took an instinctive step back.
Max placed his hand under her elbow. “Come along, dearest one. The horses are in excellent hands. Let’s go and speak to the innkeeper.”
When they were out of earshot, Allegra tugged her arm from his hold. “We can’t leave the horses here.”
He grimaced. “We don’t have much choice, do we?”
He opened the door and ushered her into the entrance hall of the inn. The room was low-beamed and lime-washed and had a huge fireplace that was currently unlit. A smell of damp and decay permeated the air.
A tall, bearded man appeared and smiled at them. “Good day! I thought I heard someone in the stable yard. I am Mr. Pike. I do hope my ostler treated you well?”
“He was most helpful.” Max took charge of the conversation. “We are in something of a quandary, Mr. Pike. Our carriage was involved in an accident and is no longer usable. We have two horses but no vehicle for them to pull. Can you perhaps assist us with this matter?”
Mr. Pike frowned. “That might prove something of a challenge, sir. All our rental vehicles are currently on the road.” He paused. “But I am expecting a gig back tomorrow. Would that suffice?” He looked at Allegra. “I know ladies don’t like to be exposed to the elements.”
“I’m happy to take whatever you can offer us, sir,” Allegra said. “A bit of rain never hurt anyone.”
He laughed heartily. “Well said, ma’am.” He turned to Max. “It appears your wife has a merry wit, sir.”
“She’s my sister, not my wife, but I must agree that she has an amusing way to her. I think we should accept your offer of the gig. Are you able to accommodate us for the night?”
“I have one room, sir, the best in the house.” Mr. Pike bowed low. “I would be honored to show it to you.” He looked around. “Do you have baggage to take up?”
“Unfortunately, it was lost in the accident,” Max said with a smoothness that impressed Allegra. She herself was a terrible liar. “We shall simply have to make do.”
“Mrs. Pike might be able to lend the lady some night attire if that would be acceptable, sir?”
“That would be most helpful,” Allegra spoke for herself.
Mr. Pike went up the stairs, and they followed him, Max ducking his head to avoid the low beams. The landlord unlocked a door and took them into a room with a large, diamond-paned window that had a view of the front of the inn.
The four-poster bed was curtained and was so large it must have been built within the room’s confines.
“Here you are, sir, miss.” Mr. Pike bowed. “Dinner will be at six. We’ll bring it up to you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Pike.” Max turned to Allegra. “If you don’t mind, my dear, I’ll just go and check on the horses. Perhaps you might order some tea or refreshments while you await my return?”
“I’ll have Mrs. Pike bring you a pot of tea,” Mr. Pike said.
“Thank you.” Allegra untied the ribbons of her bonnet. “That would be much appreciated.”
Mrs. Pike turned out to be a sweet-faced woman with blond hair and all the plumpness her husband lacked.
She brought up a pot of tea, two cups, and a plate of shortbread, and chattered away to Allegra as if they were old friends.
She also asked a lot of questions that Allegra tried hard not to answer, but as Mrs. Pike didn’t draw breath long enough to listen to Allegra’s replies, Allegra wasn’t too concerned that she’d revealed anything important.
When Max finally came back, Allegra had occupied one of the wing chairs by the fire and was busy reading her latest gothic novel.
“Despite his appearance, Billy appears to be very knowledgeable about horses.” Max took the seat opposite her and helped himself to tea and shortbread. “The stables are in good condition, too.”
“I still don’t like it here.” Allegra repressed a shiver. “There’s something odd about the place.”
Max looked pointedly at her book. “Perhaps you shouldn’t be reading such silliness.”
“How do you know what I’m reading?”
“You’re a woman. You all love those ridiculous, unrealistic novels.”
“Well, at least we read,” Allegra argued. “And I enjoy scientific and theological books, too.”
“I assume that’s what you threw at my head.”
“Yes.” She smiled sweetly. “John Wesley’s sermons have quite a heft to them.”
He rolled his eyes.
“There is something we have to discuss,” Allegra said. “Our financial situation.”
“Do you have enough to pay for our room and board?” Max asked.
“I believe so, but the hire of the gig might be beyond my means.” She hesitated. “I do have a good pair of earrings and a bracelet on my person. I was wondering if you could pawn them to raise money?”
He stared at her for so long that she felt impelled to speak again. “Whatever is the matter?”
“I am not in the habit of pawning lady’s jewels, ma’am.”
“I didn’t say you were. I just assumed you might know how to pawn something! I don’t have the ability to do so myself, but if you intend to continue to be unhelpful, I will speak to Mr. Pike.”
“You will do no such thing.”
Allegra squared up to him. “You have no authority over me.”
“I’m your older brother; of course I do.” Max shrugged. “Unless you wish to tell Mr. Pike that we aren’t related.” He paused. “I thought we were attempting to protect your reputation.”
“You are impossible.”
Max inclined his head. “So, I’ve been told, but I’m right on this, and you know it.”