Loving Lord Ash by Sally Mackenzie Read Free Book Online

quick hug, and then climbed back into the wagon. “Good luck.”
    She waved as he drove away, and then she looked down at her dog. There was no turning back now.
    “Come, Kit. It’s time to see if your namesake will listen to me.”
    When she opened the inn door, Mr. Winthrop did not look happy to see her. “Lady Ashton!” He frowned at her dog and then at her valise. “Where is your maid?”
    She was not going to get into a discussion of the proprieties. “Where is my husband?”
    The innkeeper sniffed as if he smelled something unpleasant. He’d never liked her—well, none of the local people had. “I’m not certain that is any of your concern, madam.”
    Her temper came to her rescue. She leaned forward as menacingly as she could—and it helped that Kit growled low in his throat and bared his teeth slightly. He was the best of animals, quite gentle unless he sensed that she was threatened.
    “I am still Lady Ashton, sirrah, so I believe the location of Lord Ashton is very much my concern.”
    “Ah.” Winthrop stepped back. “Er.” He looked at her dog and paled. “Very well. If you must know, he’s upstairs in number ten.” And then he managed to leer at her. “Though I’m not certain he’s alone.”
    Oh, God. She did not want to walk in on Kit in bed with a whore. That would surely kill her.
    But she had no choice in the matter. Roger had left. She was stuck here. “Thank you. I shall go up directly.”
    “Perhaps it would be better if I go up first and tell His Lordship ye’re here.”
    Perhaps it would be better, but she’d promised Roger she would not let anyone stop her, and Mr. Winthrop looked like he would do exactly that. “That won’t be necessary.”
    She started up the stairs before she could lose her nerve.
    The last time she’d been in an inn with Kit was on their wedding night. He’d been taking her to the manor. She’d ridden alone in the carriage all day, but she’d kept her spirits up thinking she could make things right with him once they stopped for the night. She’d got ready for bed, leaving off her nightgown, and waited for him to come to her. When he hadn’t, she’d gone to him—and found his door locked.
    She’d been young. She’d allowed her anger to carry her down the stairs in the morning and back out to the carriage. When Kit had deposited her at the manor that afternoon, she’d not said a word.
    Nor had he.
    She’d thought he’d come back the next day.
    The next week.
    The next month.
    He hadn’t.
    Well, this time things would be different. They had to be. This was her last chance. If Kit didn’t listen to her now, he never would.
    Her feet felt like lead, but she kept her chin up. She couldn’t retreat even if she wanted to; she would not give Winthrop that satisfaction.
    And, in any event, her dog was behind her, blocking her escape.
    She reached the landing and turned right. Number ten was at the end of the longest corridor she’d ever encountered, but she forced herself to keep walking.
    What if Kit was with a whore?
    Perhaps that would be a good thing. It should cure her of this infatuation with Kit, and she would be able to tell Roger tomorrow that she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was ready—anxious!—to be done with the marquis. They could begin to make plans. It would be a while before she was free to actually marry, of course, but it would be best for Dennis and the other men to know that they would eventually have a place to live.
    She stopped in front of number ten. “This is it, Kit.” She was talking to her dog—and perhaps her husband. She raised her hand to knock.

Chapter Four
     
Sometimes opportunity’s knock
sounds most unpleasant.
—Venus’s Love Notes
     
    Ash was halfway through the brandy bottle when some idiot knocked on his door.
    Maybe if he ignored the nodcock, he’d go away. Or she’d go away. Surely that barmaid hadn’t been so bold as to come to his room? He took another swallow of brandy.
    The