The Long Road to Love by Lynn Collum Read Free Book Online Page A

serve?”
    Thinking it best not to reveal their true names, Richard said, “The name’s Black, Mr. Black. As you can see, Mr. . .”
    “Miller, sir.”
    “Miller, my ward, Miss Smith, and I are in a great hurry and shall only require a meal this evening in a private parlor, if you have such.” The earl looked around as if he doubted they would be so lucky as to dine in privacy in the small inn.
    The innkeeper glanced nervously at his wife before replying, “Well, sir, Mrs. Miller’s a grand cook, and we’ve a private room for your use, but it’ll take us some time to get a proper meal together, not being used to providin’ for the Quality and all.”
    “Very good. We shall wait in the private parlor until our meal is ready.”
    Angelica, seeing her chance, said, “Perhaps you might show me to a room where I may freshen up and rest until we dine.” She gave Richard an innocent smile when he arched one brow.
    Mrs. Miller signaled to a small buxom maid who was collecting empty tankards. “Sally, take the young lady up to one of the rooms; then come to the kitchen at once. We’ve lots to do.”
    “Mr. Black.” Angelica said the name with mockery. “I hope you don’t mind my leaving you for a while. I am so fatigued. I shall be down when dinner is served.”
    Richard bowed. “Miss Smith, rest well.”
    After the young miss had gone upstairs and the gentleman strolled back out the front door as if he meant to walk about the village, Mrs. Miller sniffed, “If that be a Mr. Black and a Miss Smith, then I’m Queen Charlotte and you’re Mad George, God rest his soul.”
    “Hush, Bessie, and get to cookin’. It don’t matter if he’s Mr. Black or Blackjack the highwayman as long as he pays his shot, and from the looks of him I’d say his pockets are deep. Now, get to the kitchen.” The innkeeper took his wife’s shoulders and turned her in the right direction before giving her a nudge. Bessie was a bit too moral to his way of thinkin’ and he wouldn’t allow her to turn away some easy funds for the sake of what was proper.
    Upstairs, Angelica plotted to get away from Richard. She went to the window and looked out. The dark clouds blotted out the setting sun. The inn was situated at the edge of the woods, which would make it easy for her to hide, but she suddenly knew a moment’s regret. The afternoon in the earl’s company had been pleasant despite the circumstances. He’d been utterly charming, telling her amusing tales of his life in Town, although she was certain they’d been greatly edited for her benefit, and he’d seen to her comfort each time they’d stopped to change horses.
    He’d been like the Richard of old.
    Remembering Giles’s plans for her, she pushed the pleasant thoughts of Richard from her mind. She had to get away.
    Taking a few minutes to refresh herself after the long carriage ride, she then went to the door and listened. Only the low murmur of conversation from the taproom echoed in the hallway. Nervously, she drew the door open and looked out. There was no one about so she quickly tiptoed down the hall toward the backstairs.
    As she made her way down the narrow flight, Angelica could hear Mrs. Miller issuing orders in the kitchen. When she reached the last step, she paused to peek around the corner. Sally was busy building up the fire in the oven.
    Mrs. Miller was slicing meat, all the while complaining to the young maid about the extra work and for such a havey- cavey pair. Neither could see Angelica, so she stepped to the rear door which was near the stairs and exited quietly.
    As the back door clicked shut behind her, Angelica felt a rush of exhilaration at having gotten out of the inn unseen. Once she made it to the safety of the woods, Richard would never find her. She didn’t dwell on what she would do next, only on getting away from the earl.
    In the growing darkness of the impending storm she could see a path which cut through the inn’s small rear garden. The trail