A Bright Particular Star by Elizabeth Hanbury Read Free Book Online Page A

dare say you would have taken the guard ’s blunderbuss and threatened the Bath Fox with it, should he have been foolish eno ugh to accost you ! ”
    Sophie blushed and laughed. “ He usually targets private post chaises and carriages because the pickings to be had there are far richer. ”
    “ I doubt we’ll encounter anything more alarming than fly-blown cheese and poor ly-aired sheets on this journey, ” observed Theo in a d ry voice.
    The Bath Fox was not discussed further, and they passed through West Kennet, Overton and Fifield wit hout incident . It was therefore only mid-afternoon when they reached the half-timbered buildings and overhanging gables of Marlborough high street.
    As Theo waited in the crush of carriages pulled up at t he front of the elegant Castle I nn, he was more than satisfied with their progress. He had travelled this route many times but, in Sophie ’s company, he was viewing familiar surroundings through her new and eager eyes. For a man who knew every monotonous tree and milestone between Bath and London, this was a refreshing change and th e journey had beguiled away pleasantly as a result.
    But t here was a great deal more he wanted to know from Miss Devereux . She had not yet explained who she was going to stay with in London and he determined to broach this subject over dinner.
    There was no private parlour available but the landlord, who knew Theo well, accepted his explanation of their circumstances without a qualm and showed them to a quiet corner of the coffee room where they were served with coffee and a jug of porter. Sophie refused the offer of broiled mutton and haricot beans, but did ask for cold meat and fruit, and some cake , if there any was to be had. The food arrived shortly afterward and , while they ate, Theo was treated to Sophie ’s lively observations on the other occupants of t he room .
    The heavy-jowled, pessimistic-looking man of perhaps thirty years old who sat near the fireplace reading his newspaper was, Sophie suggested, a merchant fallen on hard times . T he young man with an anxious expression , seated near the window with the stout older lady, was taking his mama to meet his betrothed ’s family and terrified they would not approve of each other . T he bearing of the gentleman sitting at the table in the corner declared that he was, in Sophie ’s opinion , a soldier . The girl accompanying him , who threw adoring looks in his direction , must be his sweetheart. Sophie, studying them covertly , declared they were probably lovers in the throes of a clandestine affair.
    Theo had been listening to these descriptions with amusement , but this caused him to choke on his ale which immediately drew upon him the attention of the o ther occupants. “ Keep your voice down, for goodness sake! ” he urged . “ I ’d ra ther not be called out in the middle of the afternoon! ”
    “ But you must agree th ey look very much in love, ” said Sophie, shooting him an i nnocent look over her teacup . “ I think it vastly romantic, don ’t you? ”
    “ I suppose so, ” agreed Theo, glancing at the couple in question and, for some reason while in Sophie ’s company, feeling a flush rise to his cheeks at their subtle displays of affection. “ But it ’s wiser not to be curious about people ’s business in places such as this . C ould get you into trouble. ”
    “ I’m sorry if I’ve been indiscreet, ” she said, looking downcast.
    “ No, no! ” he insisted. “ You haven ’t said anything wrong — in fact, I was enjoying your observations — but best not let anyone else hear them. ” Wh en she still looked crestfallen , he took her hand s in a comforting grasp . “ You’re a strange girl, ” he murmured, his voice warm and teasing. “ My words have upset you when a headlong flight from Bath could not. I’m sorry , t his must be a difficult journey for you. You’ve left behind your home and all you know and I don ’t want to add to your distress.