Make-Believe Wife Read Online Free

Roxanne and the groom rushed to his aid, managing to save him from a further fall. The groom shouted for help and another two came running.
    â€˜Ned, take the gentleman’s horse—Jeremiah, helpme and then fetch the doctor. Mr Clarendon is in pain with his ankle.’
    The two grooms supported Luke towards the inn, which was a modest building, with whitewashed walls, a thatched roof and small leaded windows. Luke glanced over his shoulder and drew a sigh of relief as he saw Roxanne was following with her bundles. His whole leg was throbbing now and he felt very faint. Indeed, he might have fallen had the grooms supporting him not been strong men.
    He was supported into the inn. A large portly man came to greet them, his knowing eyes going over both Luke and then Roxanne.
    â€˜Would you be needing a room for you and the—lady, sir?’
    â€˜We need two rooms,’ Roxanne said. ‘Mr Clarendon has hurt his ankle. I think there may be a small break. One of your grooms has gone for the doctor. However, I shall be nursing Mr Clarendon until we leave.’
    â€˜And who might you be, miss?’ The landlord’s brows met in a frown.
    â€˜I am Mr Clarendon’s new governess,’ Roxanne said in a clear firm tone. ‘He has employed me to teach his nephew. My horse was lost in the woods; it ran off and we could not waste time looking for her. My name is Miss Roxanne Peters.’
    Luke glanced at her, resisting a grin. It appeared that she could spin a tale as easily as he. The landlord looked uncertain whether to believe her, but was galvanised into action by a moan of pain from Luke.
    â€˜Take the gentleman up to the best chamber,’ hecommanded his minions. ‘The governess can have the smaller room two doors down.’
    â€˜Thank you, landlord,’ Luke said and glanced back at Roxanne. ‘Follow us up, Miss Peters. I shall want you in attendance when the doctor arrives.’
    â€˜I shall be with you in a moment, sir.’
    The landlord had gone before them. He gestured at the room that was to be Roxanne’s, leaving her to make her own way while continuing further down the passage.
    Roxanne went inside the small room. There was a narrow iron bedstead with a white counterpane, blue curtains at the window and a small chest of drawers. To a girl who had been used to living in a caravan it was perfectly adequate. Roxanne dumped her bundles on the floor, took the key from the inside of the door and locked it as she went out, pocketing it safely. Her possessions were not valuable, but they were all she had and she could not afford to lose them—nor did she wish the landlord to go poking his nose into her things.
    Walking quickly to the room where she had seen them take her employer—she had decided that the best way to go on was to act the part of an upper-class servant—Roxanne entered and saw that the landlord was standing by the bed. Both the grooms had gone.
    â€˜Thank you,’ she said. ‘I can manage him now.’
    The landlord turned, his eyes narrowed and not exactly friendly. Roxanne felt a prickling at her nape. Mr Clarendon seemed barely conscious. She had a feeling that had she not been here to protect him, he might well have been robbed of his possessions. Perhaps shewas wronging the landlord, but she was not sure he was honest.
    â€˜Right. I’ll send the doctor up when he gets here.’ He looked at her hard. ‘I’ll be wanting five shillings a night for this room, two for yours—food and the doctor extra.’
    â€˜Yes, of course. You will be paid. Mr Clarendon is a respectable man and we should not dream of running off without paying you.’
    â€˜You better hadn’t. Jake Hardcastle never forgets a face—and I reckon I’ve seen yours before, but I can’t recall where. You weren’t a governess then.’ He leered at her. ‘If I don’t get paid one way, I can take my dues