Free Scoundrel Ever After (Secrets and Scandals) by Darcy Burke Page B

“I’d best tie your cravat again.” She slid the linen around his neck and adjusted the collar of his shirt.
    He stared at her intently, his eyes boring into her with a heat she felt all the way to her toes. Was it purposeful? Was he flirting with her again? She wasn’t sure she could bear it. No one had ever flirted with her until him.
    She dropped her gaze to the cravat her clumsy fingers were trying to knot. “Please don’t look at me like that.”
    “Like what?”
    She chanced a glance at him and was sorry for it because his gaze had only intensified, if that were possible. Plus, he’d arched his brow again in that frustratingly provocative manner. “Oh, never mind.” She knew she mumbled, but she deeply regretted drawing attention to her discomfort. The constant blushing was bad enough.
    She finished her work as quickly as possible and helped him don the coat. At last, they were ready to leave.
    “What about your hair?” he asked.
    She’d been so flustered, she’d forgotten all about her own toilette. Of course her hair would be a disaster, but she had no brush and she’d lost more pins than she had left. A small glass on the wall revealed a completely disheveled mess. She now doubted the veracity of his flirtation—he was surely bamming her. No one would find her attractive, least of all a man like him.
    She pulled what pins remained out of her hair and looked about for a place to set them.
    He appeared beside her with his palm open. Three hairpins were already lying there.
    She looked up at him. “Where did you find those?”
    “In the bed.” The mere mention of the word bed threatened to send heat up her neck again, but she managed to keep it at bay. “I’ll hold the others while you make repairs. I’m sorry you don’t have a brush.” The fact that he sounded genuinely apologetic only made things worse. Why did he have to be so gentlemanly when she was perfectly aware he was probably no gentleman?
    She deposited the pins in his hand. “Thank you.” Trying to work her hair into a serviceable knot was nearly impossible, but she managed to secure it, at least for now. Doubtless, when they got on their way, it would begin its inevitable descent.
    “Ready?” he asked, going to the door.
    “Yes.” She followed him out of the room and down the narrow stairs to the small common area.
    The innkeeper’s wife greeted them and offered them a modest repast of potatoes, ham, and bread. When they were finished and preparing to leave, she approached Audrey with a small bag. “This is for your luncheon,” she said warmly. “And I also have these for you.” She handed Audrey a bonnet and a . . . brush.
    Audrey glanced at Mr. Locke, who was conversing with the innkeeper near the front door. He’d procured these things for her, she was certain of it.
    “And don’t worry,” the innkeeper’s wife said, “your secret is safe with us. No one shall know the Millers passed through. I realize Miller isn’t likely your real name.” She winked at Audrey and gave her a quick hug.
    What sort of secret had Mr. Locke told them? Audrey set the bonnet atop her head and tucked the brush into the food bag. “Thank you for your kindness.” She turned and joined Mr. Locke.
    He opened the door for her and they stepped out into the overcast morning. “What’s that?” he asked, nodding toward the bag.
    “Food from Mrs. Hodges. Thank you for asking for the bonnet and brush.”
    He looked at her askance. “How did you know that was me?”
    “How else would she have known?”
    He shrugged, moving toward the lean-to where their horse was stabled. “Maybe she was just observant.”
    Audrey stared after him. “Are you saying it’s obvious my hair was in want of a brush?”
    He turned. “Are you trying to make me into a villain?”
    She cringed internally. Wasn’t he a villain? “What story did you tell them?”
    “What we agreed to, that we were a young married couple.”
    The untied ribbons of her bonnet