An Unconventional Countess (Regency Belles of Bath 1)

In this case, however, it hadn’t been entirely fair. As bad as drinking and carousing in the daytime must have looked, he’d barely touched his second tankard of ale and, after offering a job to his new friend, it had seemed only fitting to celebrate the occasion through song. All of which he would have explained to Anna if Turner hadn’t arrived at exactly the same moment to avenge the honour of his daughter, which had led to a scuffle and then...what then? He wasn’t sure, but the dizzy feeling and bump on his head were starting to give him an idea.

‘Evening, sir.’ The innkeeper came into the room, accompanied by a man in a sombre black suit. ‘The doctor’s back to see you like he promised.’

‘Did he?’ Samuel looked at the man in surprise. He had no memory of seeing him before.

‘I’m afraid you were somewhat delirious the last time, my lord.’ The doctor made a stiff bow. ‘How are you feeling now?’

‘Like I’ve had a chair smashed over my head. Or was it a table?’

‘Aye.’ The innkeeper rubbed a hand around the back of his neck uncomfortably. ‘It was something like that. ’Course they had no idea who you were, but they’re all locked up now.’

‘Who?’

‘Turner and his sons and anyone else who was there for good measure. They’ll be brought before the magistrate tomorrow.’

Samuel groaned. ‘There’s no need for that. Tell the constable to let them all go.’

‘But I must protest!’ The doctor looked indignant. ‘They caused a severe breach of the peace. Perhaps you ought to wait until your head...’

‘No. I won’t bring any charges...’ Samuel smiled with a sudden burst of inspiration ‘...but only on condition that Turner agrees to the marriage.’

‘I think he will now he knows who you are, sir.’ The innkeeper grinned back.

‘Good. Tell him I’ll pay for the wedding even. Now help me up.’

‘Absolutely not.’ The doctor was adamant this time. ‘You shouldn’t be going anywhere in your condition.’

‘I have to get back to Staunton.’

‘Not today. You’ve taken a nasty blow to the head. Tomorrow, if you’re not feeling sick or dizzy, but today you need to rest.’

‘Try to stop me.’

‘Forgive me, my lord, but I believe that your head might do that for itself.’

Samuel swung to his feet, growled an oath, then dropped down again, annoyed to find that the doctor was right. The room tilted so violently he could almost believe he was back on board his old ship again.

‘Now...’ the doctor’s tone was infuriatingly smug ‘...I suggest that you drink some water and go back to sleep. I’ll escort you back to Staunton tomorrow myself.’

* * *

Fortunately for Samuel, his head appeared to have completely recovered by the time he woke the next morning. Unfortunately, it took nearly another full hour to escape from the tavern as the innkeeper, along with Turner, his sons and the new prospective bride and groom, wanted to thank him, apologise and say farewell at the same time. By the time the doctor arrived he was raring to go, only to find that his escort believed in taking life at a sedate, some would have said glacial, pace. The result was that it was past eleven o’clock before they finally arrived at Staunton and Samuel was able to run up the front steps and into the hall, headlong into Clarissa.

‘Oh!’ Her eyes widened in panic when she saw him. ‘Captain Dela—I mean, my lord, I was just looking for my embroidery.’ She glanced towards the stairs as if she were considering making a run for it. ‘I’m sorry, I’ll go back to my room.’

‘You don’t need to apologise.’ Samuel shook his head quickly. ‘Or hide in your room for that matter. But while we’re at it, I’m sorry, too. I overreacted before. This is your home for as long as you want it.’

‘Oh, thank you, my lord.’ To his horror, she looked as if she were about to burst into more tears. ‘And I just want to say—’

‘Later.’ He put his hands on her shoulders. ‘Where’s Anna?’

‘Anna?’ Her eyes widened again. ‘Oh, yes... I’m afraid to say... The thing is...she’s gone.’

‘What?’ His heart slammed to a halt. ‘When?’

‘Yesterday afternoon when she came back from the...’ her cheeks darkened slightly ‘...the place where you were. She left straight away.’

‘Did she leave a message?’