“Woolgathering?” He laughed. “I should think you’d be pleased that we have arrived.”
“Yes, of course.” Emma looked up and noticed that they had stopped in front of The Fighting Cocks. At this point, she only cared about getting a room, a warm fire, and some food.
Simon jumped down and walked around the horses as a stable lad come up to him. After giving the lad instructions and a coin, he held out his hand to her. “Come along, let’s get this over with.”
Emma frowned as she walked beside him in the rain. So much for her erotic musings. Obviously, being stuck with her was nothing but a chore to him. He held the door open to her, but seeing her scowl, he placed his hand on her back and escorted her inside.
“Just let them have their ribbing. It’s what you deserve after your foolishness this morning.”
She had no idea what he was referring to until she heard the shout from the corner of the tavern.
“Well, she made it after all!” Stanton bellowed from his position near the bar. “Ainsley, you owe me a guinea. I told you she wasn’t about to let Kingsley turn around and take her home.”
“Oh, ye poor girl!” A heavy-set woman in her late forties approached them. Her graying hair covered with a floppy mobcap. “Now, just ignore the gents. They been here near on an hour and are already well into their cups. Yer soaked through, yer are. I take it you need a room for the night?”
Simon turned his head away from his friends and nodded. “Yes, two rooms. My wife says I snore.”
“Only have one left, sir. The gents decided to stay the night. Doesn’t look like the rain is stopping today.”
“One room, then. And we need a fire and some food bought up.”
“Of course, sir. And might I suggest some dry clothing for yer both. I’m sure I can dig up at least a dressing gown for ye both.”
“Thank you...” He paused for her to give her name.
“Mrs. Houser, sir.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Houser. Can you please escort my wife upstairs and help her change while I see to my friends?” He finally looked at her and smiled. “Go along, darling. I will be up in a few minutes.”
“Not too long, I hope,” Emma said sweetly. “You are as wet as I am.”
Hearing a slight groan, she smiled. She had every intention of crossing off number nine tonight. Seducing a rake sounded like a lovely way to end a long day.
Chapter 19
One room. Simon watched the gentle sway of her hips as she followed Mrs. Houser up the steps. There was no possible way he could sleep in the same room as Emma without making love to her. The only solution, therefore, was complete intoxication. If he drank himself into a stupor, he wouldn’t be able to accomplish the task.
Like bloody hell he wouldn’t. He watched as she reached the top step and glanced back down at him with a seductive smile. His damned cock thickened with her seductive glance. It was almost enough to make him follow her like a lap dog more than willing to do her bidding if she would give him a treat.
“Kingsley, what happened? Did you lose the girl?” Stanton taunted before sipping his ale.
Unfortunately, the only option here was to become his usual rakish self. He walked toward the gentlemen with a smug smile on his face. “Oh, no, boys. She is right where I want her.”
Ainsley rose and stared at him. “She is a lady, Kingsley.”
The earl’s protectiveness raised Simon’s ire. “And my brother’s sister-in-law, which is why she will be safely ensconced in my room where I can make sure none of you try to seduce the girl.”
“Except you, of course,” Stanton quipped.
Exactly. “Stanton, I should call you out on behalf of my brother. The duke, in case you have forgotten.”
Stanton tilted his head and smirked. “Don’t worry, Kingsley. No one forgets you are the duke’s brother...well, half-brother.”
The other men chuckled, save Ainsley, who glared up at him before sipping his ale.
Simon had a feeling Ainsley knew exactly he was thinking. The earl’s stare sent a burst of guilt through him. Simon couldn’t offer her much of anything. A woman like Emma deserved more than a life in St. James, surrounded by drunks and gamblers.
“So, Kingsley, as long as you are in no hurry to retire to your room with the infamous Miss Drake,” Stanton started, “Ainsley and I have a proposition for you.”