Twice Tempted by a Rogue (Stud Club #2)(101)

When she finally gathered the strength to wash, dress, and trudge down the back stairs, she was stunned to find the public room full of men. They’d all gathered round the slate fixed to the wall, arguing and debating. Standing atop a chair, Darryl looked to be defending both the slate and his very life with naught but a nub of chalk. “Now, gentlemen …”

“That purse should be mine,” Skinner said, thumping his chest. “I had five weeks. Didn’t nobody have money on longer.”

Harry Symmonds shook his head. “But it’s been more than five weeks, hasn’t it? That doesn’t make your bet right, just makes it wrong like the rest. Tewkes, just cancel the wagers and call it square.”

Meredith couldn’t believe it. After all that had happened yesterday, they were here this morning to argue over a ridiculous bet? From the bar, she put finger and thumb in her mouth and whistled for attention. When the lot of them swiveled to face her, she finally found her voice. “What the devil are you doing?”

Skinner shrugged. “Well, since Lord Ashworth’s left the village … There are wagers to be settled, Mrs. Maddox.”

Her face burned with anger. With a trembling hand, she retrieved a damp sponge from underneath the bar and threw it at Darryl. It hit his shoulder with a wet squelch, and he yelped with surprise.

“Wipe that slate clean,” she ordered.

Darryl obeyed while the men looked on in silence.

“Now get out,” she said. “All of you. The Three Hounds is closed until further notice.”

The men didn’t move.

“Out!” she shouted, jabbing a finger at the door. “Now!”

As they shuffled toward the exit, jostling and grumbling amongst themselves, an anxious-looking Darryl called over the din. “It’s only temporary, gents! Don’t count out the Three Hounds. We’ll have this place fixed up in no time, me and Mrs. Maddox, and we’ll be serving pints again before you know it.”

“Don’t make promises, Darryl,” Meredith said. “Go see to the horse barn. Surely there’s a stall that needs mucking out, if you’re in the mood to shovel excrement.”

“Now, Mrs. Maddox.” Darryl moved toward her, apparently choosing not to take offense. “I know the place looks bad, but we’ll have it back to form in no time. And it will all work out for the best in the end. It’s like you said. Men come and go, but this road is always here. And so’s the inn. We always have the Three Hounds. It’s our home.”

“Thank you, Darryl.” The youth’s words were well-meant, she supposed, but they didn’t offer her much consolation. This inn didn’t feel like home, not anymore. “Now, if you don’t mind … I really would like a moment to myself.”

“Of course, Mrs. Maddox. We’ll sort out the glassware this afternoon.”

Meredith stared after him, wondering if she needed to talk with Darryl about minding his place. The young man was growing a touch presumptive.

Once he’d left and she was alone, Meredith sat in one of the few remaining sturdy chairs. She looked around at the building she’d worked so hard to improve, taken so much pride in running with efficiency and style. She’d always said her heart was in this inn. And perhaps it had been, once. But it wasn’t anymore. Her heart was with Rhys, and he was gone. She stacked her arms on the table before her and bent her head.

Barely a minute had passed before strong hands landed on her shoulders, massaging gently. “There, there, Merry. It’ll be all right.”

“Oh, Father.” She wiped her eyes with her wrist as her father rounded the table and slid into the chair opposite. She hated to tell him this, but postponing the inevitable wouldn’t help. “He’s gone. Rhys left.”

“I know.”

“I’m so sorry. I know you must be disappointed.”

“Me? Don’t worry about me, child.” He wrapped her hands in his own scarred, arthritic grip. “Rhys will be back. You’ll see.”

“You truly believe that?”

“I’m not the only one. They’re already starting another betting pool in the courtyard. Skinner’s taking wagers as to when Lord Ashworth will return.”

“Band of fools,” she muttered, shaking her head. “Bloody ingrates. After the way this village treated him, why would he ever want to come back?”

“For you, Merry. Everyone knows he’ll come back for you.” His eyes warmed and crinkled at the edges. “And my money’s on tomorrow.”

Chapter Twenty-six

“Oh, God,” Cora said. “What’s happened?” Rhys braced himself as the carriage began to move. Slowly at first. Then it picked up speed, rattling unimpeded down the slope they’d just climbed. “We’ve come unhitched from the team. Must have been the jolt just now.”

“Lord,” she said. “We’re all going to die.”

“Eventually.” Rhys stood, as much as he was able, and braced his hands on the hardtop carriage roof. Leveraging his strength, he kicked at the carriage door, blasting the latch to pieces. “But not today.”

“What are you doing?” Cora asked.

Rhys offered her his hand and a one-word explanation. “Jump.”

Her mouth dropped open as she looked toward the now-open door and the accelerating landscape rolling past. “Are you mad?”