Free Never Wager Against Love by Maureen Driscoll Page B

straightened and an almost
comical look of horror overtook her.  She removed her hand from his hair and
pulled her fingers back from his legs as if a meat cleaver were about to strike
them.
    Her return to sanity was, from Arthur’s perspective, wise
yet rather insulting.  He knew why he had to keep his distance from her, but he
wasn’t used to women shrinking from him.  He hoped he’d never have to become
accustomed to it. 
    “That cannot happen again,” she said rather breathlessly.
    “Of course not,” said Arthur, hoping it would happen again
soon.
    “You should stay over there on your own side of the carriage. 
I will remain here and work on our plan of what needs to be done in Norkiss…Nor wich! ”
    Arthur couldn’t hide his answering smile.

CHAPTER FIVE
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Vanessa had never visited Norwich.  As an agent with the
Home Office, it was her responsibility to acquaint herself with England’s
geography and relevant history.  But she’d traveled very little and spent most
of her time in London.  She was surprised to discover that Norwich bore much
more resemblance to London’s population and pace than the quiet country villages
they’d been passing.  It was a city of mills and industry.  While it could
never compare to London in sophistication and would certainly never be a ton favorite, the wealth and affluence of it was impressive, even if the town as a
whole was in decline.
    Dumbarton’s luxurious carriage didn’t attract too much attention
as Arthur and Vanessa rumbled into town.  They drew to a halt in front of the Majestic
Inn.  As Arthur helped Vanessa out of the carriage, he whispered “Follow my
lead.” 
    Follow his lead, indeed , thought Vanessa as they
walked toward the inn.  He wasn’t the agent, she was.  But a part of her was curious
to see how well he’d handle himself.  She was more impressed with him so far on
the journey than she would’ve predicted, although she certainly wouldn’t tell
him that.  He’d coped with their night under the stars quite well and he’d even
allowed Dumbarton to be dismissive of him, despite Arthur’s obvious
intelligence.  As for the way he kissed...  She blinked.  Nothing good would be
achieved by thinking about that kiss.  Even though it had been sublime.  A kiss
beyond all kisses. 
    She blinked again.  She really, truly needed to stop
thinking about that kiss.
    Especially since she was suddenly aware of Arthur talking to
the innkeeper with his rather proprietary hand at her back.  “You see,” the
smooth charmer said to the man and his wife, “I’d originally planned on a trip
to the continent.  But nothing else would do but a trip to beautiful Norwich,
according to Mrs. Rennard, my lovely wife.”
    Mrs. Rennard?  He was using her alias against her?  And wife? 
At those words the formerly wary innkeeper’s wife grinned at her.  And she
became aware of Arthur turning to her with that insufferable, crooked grin of
his.
    “Darling,” he said.  “Don’t you believe this inn will be
perfect for our needs?”
    The inn looked too expensive by half, which was very much
not what they needed.  She wondered what Dumbarton had been about to suggest
such a place.  She hated depending on Arthur’s largesse, but she was fast
running out of funds.  Against her better judgment, she told the innkeeper and
his wife that it was a lovely establishment and she looked forward to their
stay.
    The innkeeper, who’d no doubt seen the fine carriage and
assessed their financial worth accordingly, bowed and scraped and promised all
sorts of private parlors and delicious fare and heated bathwater.  All of that
sounded heavenly to Vanessa, even if she hated to think of the cost.   As she
walked up the stairs to their room which looked out onto the back garden, she
tried to come up with a suitable punishment for Arthur’s highhandedness.  But
all she could think about was spending a night with him in the same