As for sleeping arrangements, he decided they were better served by veering off the main coaching roads as night approached and finding a quiet, reputable inn within one of the smaller market towns. It was safest to remain slightly off the path rather than seek rooms in the larger cities or popular coaching inns situated along the well traveled routes.
Yes, he thought it best especially to avoid the larger cities since they were more likely to encounter other members of thetonthere and easily be recognized. Settling Syd in a seedier part of whichever city they reached was a possibility, but held no appeal for him.
They would attract too much notice with him in his navy uniform and her in her elegant gown. Every cutpurse in the area would come after them.
Syd was no weak maiden, but he had no intention of placing her in added danger. Besides, he wanted to spoil her. Give her the best.
Again, this feeling baffled him.
What was it about Syd that made him want to give her the world?
The rest of the day passed uneventfully, although Octavian did not yet feel comfortable enough to take his eyes off her. They were not far enough away from London and Syd was unpredictable.
She could easily have a change of heart and run back to her father.
It was with much relief that she was still with him when they stopped at an inn just south of Chipping Campden for the evening. As the carriage rolled up to the Burford Inn’s courtyard, Octavian turned to Syd. “All right, here we go. Our first test as lovebirds. Do you think you can act like a besotted newlywed?”
She arched an eyebrow. “Can you?”
He laughed. “Yes, so long as you do not rile me.”
She cast him a playfully offended look. “You can be just as impossible, you know. Do not rilemeand we shall be just fine. Oh, the innkeeper is scurrying toward us. What shall we say if he asks us questions?”
“About our marriage? That we were wed two days ago. A quiet ceremony in a local London church. Actually, describe Ambrose and Adela’s wedding. Same details, just ours was two days ago. You are now Lady Thorne. No, make that Mrs. Thorne. Better to keep things simple.”
“Wonderful,” she said wryly. “How did you propose to me?”
“Same way Ambrose proposed to Adela.”
She laughed. “Impossible. He insisted on marrying her because of a perceived scandal. I will not allow myself to be considered ruined and in need of your saving. Scandal is out of the question. You are in love with me, so quick…how did you propose?”
“At Lady Withnall’s supper party a month ago. You looked radiant and I was transported.” He groaned. “Enough, Syd. No one is going to ask us these questions. If you are at a loss, just bat your eyes at me and let me do the talking.”
“You? You are going to make a mess of it.”
He threw his head back and laughed again. “There’s my Syd. Glad to have your insolent self back.”
She winced. “I am not insolent, just–”
The carriage door was thrown open as the innkeeper and his staff hurried forward to attend to them. Octavian registered them as Captain and Mrs. Thorne, and requested their finest room.
Syd pinched his hand but he ignored her.
They were off the beaten path.
No one was going to find them tonight or follow their trail here anytime later. So why not indulge in the best for themselves?
“Yes, Captain. You are in luck. Our largest guest quarters happen to be available.”
“Good,” Syd said, obviously believing the innkeeper’s reference to his largest quarters indicated a bedroom and a private salon– and therefore a sofa– which it probably did not have. “My husband is a big man and needs space to walk around after being cramped in a carriage all day. Would you kindly send up light refreshments for us? Dearest, would you like a bottle of scotch sent up as well?”
Octavian tried to hold back a chuckle.
Dearest?
In truth, the endearment sounded nice coming from Syd, but she must have struggled to keep from choking on it. “No, my love. A pot of tea will do for me.”
The innkeeper smiled broadly. “Ah, a love match. Ye look like a pair of newlyweds.”
