Page 29 of Ruined by the Wrong Earl

‘Water,’ Jane said. ‘But first, is there a retiring room in this place?’ She looked as if she might be ill.

The barmaid laughed. ‘An outhouse for the men. But follow me and I’ll show you where the ladies use. No one will disturb you and you can return on your own.’

Nora was left alone in the corner and let out a sigh. Jane would return soon enough. Until then she had a private moment to herself to—

‘What are you doing here?’

She looked up at the stern, masculine voice to see Ralston standing before her. He stood with his legs spread and his jaw tense. His dark hair looked even darker in the sparse lighting of the tavern. She was so surprised at his unexpected appearance, it took her a moment to answer.

‘What are you doing here?’ she responded with a question of her own.

‘I asked first.’

From her seat, she craned her neck to meet his gaze. ‘I’m thirsty.’

His eyebrows drew downward into dark slashes. ‘There are numerous establishments where a lady could go. May I ask why you are alone and unchaperoned in a tavern?’

‘No, my lord, as we are not yet married, I don’t believe you have the right to ask. But to put your mind at ease, my maid accompanied me and will return at any moment.’

His unreadable dark stare should have put her on guard, but the truth was she’d never feared him. Still, it would be foolish to irritate him on the eve of their wedding.

The barmaid sailed over with a tray full of tankards and a glass. She placed a whisky on the table. ‘To the end of your freedom, miss.’

Nora felt a tingling from her scalp to the pit of her stomach as Ralston pulled out a chair and sat beside her. ‘Perhaps,’ he said, lowering his voice. ‘I’d also like a whisky to celebrate with the lady.’

‘Yes, my lord.’

Ralston smiled at the barmaid, and she hurried to do his bidding.

His calm demeanor was more intimidating than any show of anger. ‘You do not have to stay,’ she said.

‘You prefer to drink alone?’

‘I’m not alone. My maid is with me, remember?’

Just returning, Jane spotted Ralston sitting with Nora and scurried back to the bar.

‘Oh, dear. You’ve upset my maid,’ Nora said.

He responded with a slow, devilish smile. ‘I’ll apologize to her later.’

The barmaid returned and set his whisky before him.

Nora swallowed, her throat suddenly dry, and raised her drink.

‘Wait,’ he said. ‘You wanted to celebrate.’

She shook her head. ‘I didn’t mean it.’ At least not with him. How could she drink to the last day of her freedom with him sitting beside her?

‘Well, now that we are sitting here,’ he said, his voice even, ‘let’s celebrate together. How about a toast?’

‘To what?’

‘To finally being alone before our wedding.’

This was a simple request. They hadn’t been alone since the village fair. His visits at her home had always been chaperoned and his behavior had been proper and stiff. Seeing him in a non-formal setting could be welcome. Would he act differently?

Still, her suspicions arose. He must be angry at finding his fiancée drinking in a tavern. She wouldn’t let down her guard. ‘I suppose we have not spoken privately since returning to Town. My mother is ever-present and watches us like a hawk.’