Melinda Hammond Read Online Free Page A

little inn. We will walk there now. If the carriage cannot be ready by first thing tomorrow, you must hire a vehicle to fetch us, do you understand?’
    The coachman tugged at his forelock and the footman unstrapped Eustacia’s portmanteau and his master’s overnight bag and put them on the road before helping the coachman to turn the broken carriage back towards Reading.
    Mr Lagallan picked up the two bags and set off down the road.
    ‘Why do we not walk back to The Star and put up there?’ asked Eustacia, skipping along beside him.
    ‘I am too well known there, and I want to expose you as little as possible to the public gaze in your disguise.’
    ‘You mean, if I was not with you, you would be able to spend the night in comfort,’ she muttered, conscience-stricken. ‘As it is we must take pot-luck at a little inn, where the food could be terrible and the sheets might not be aired! Vivyan, I am so sorry to put you to all this trouble.’
    His frown lifted. ‘I doubt it will be as bad as that! Besides, you wanted adventure, did you not?’
    ‘Yes, but I do not want you to be uncomfortable.’
    He laughed at that. ‘My dear child, adventures are always uncomfortable - and frequently dangerous!’
    ‘Oh. I expect this seems a little tame to you.’
    ‘It is certainly inconvenient.’ He saw she was looking downcast and added, ‘The broken carriage is not your fault, Stacey, and I have frequently stayed in places far less comfortable than a village inn.’
    ‘When you were in France?’
    ‘Yes, although I also spent some weeks as a guest in a most luxurious chateau.’
    Laughing at her eager questions, Mr Lagallan told Eustacia something of his travels, but despite his carefully worded descriptions, she was shrewd enough to guess that he had not always lived as a gentleman.
    ‘And have you come home to settle down?’
    ‘That was my intention. I have spent the past year putting my estates in order.’
    ‘And is that why you have offered for Miss Pensford?’
    ‘Yes. I have to marry someone.’ He glanced at her. ‘You do not approve?’
    ‘I think one should marry for love.’
    ‘That is not always possible.’
    ‘But surely you have no need of a fortune. Why should you not marry someone you like?’
    ‘I cannot recall having said I do not like Miss Pensford.’
    ‘Now I have offended you.’
    ‘Not at all.’
    ‘Yes, I have. You have become very polite, and - and distant, so I know you are offended! Pray forgive me.’
    Vivyan felt his anger evaporating.
    ‘Do you mean to say I have been discourteous to you until now? Abhorrent brat!’
    She chuckled. ‘That is much better! Look, we are approaching the village. You had best let me carry my own bag now, or people may think you far too kind and grow suspicious.’
    * * * *
    They reached the inn, a small tavern at the roadside with the ambitious name of The Golden Cockerel. The landlord was able to furnish them with two bedrooms, and showed them into a small, sparsely furnished room that he proudly described as a private parlour. The landlady came in presently with a tray and promised there would be hot water in their bedchambers in a twinkling. Miss Marchant looked about the room and said cheerfully, "Well, this is very comfortable.’
    ‘A damned nuisance,’ muttered Vivyan, closely inspecting one less than perfect boot. ‘Not only are my Hessians covered in mud, but I fear there may be a scratch on the leather.’
    ‘Oh. Are you not enjoying yourself?’
    ‘Not at all!’
    ‘Well, I think that is very poor-spirited of you. Just think how fortunate we are. Your carriage stopped just outside Reading, within easy reach of repair, and it is a very fine day for a walk. Imagine how uncomfortable it would have been to trudge here in the rain! And we have come upon a most delightful inn, with a good fire and the most delicious cake.’
    Vivyan had pulled off his boots and was closely inspecting the damage.
    ‘It doesn’t look too bad; I just hope