Page 47 of The Untamed Heart

Lucius regarded him quizzically. “Did it make you feel better?”

“A little,” Sherry retorted, feeling foolish now under the weight of the man’s curious gaze.

“How odd. I believe I would rather have something to eat. I find I am rather peckish.”

“Rather peckish?” Sherry retorted, shoving the chair back to where it had been before he had abused it and throwing himself down. “We’ve not eaten since breakfast. My stomach thinks my throat’s been cut and I’m so hungry I could eat a scabby horse.”

Lucius pulled a face of disgust. “I’d rather have a sirloin if it's all the same to you.”

Sherry narrowed his eyes at his companion. “I swear, if you are hell-bent on sending me to Bedlam, you’re doing a marvellous job.”

“Why do people always say that?” Lucius demanded, throwing up his hands. “I didn’t say anything!”

Sherry glared at him for a long moment before his sense of the ridiculous got the better of him and saved him from doing murder. He laughed, weakly at first, and then so hard that his stomach hurt and tears slid down his cheeks.

Lucius gazed at him with bewildered fascination.

“Are you having a fit?”

“Y-Yes,” Sherry spluttered. “But don’t mind me. We’ll both have sirloins, and the best burgundy the place has.”

“That sounds more sensible,” Lucius replied gravely, and went off to make their order.

Sherry sighed and wiped his eyes on his sleeve. Well, if nothing else, he was no longer bored.

The George Inn, Battle, 27th September 1816

Sheringham gave a sigh of content and poured himself a glass of the very tolerable little vintage the place had supplied them with. They were on their second bottle, and Sherry was feeling a tad less murderous and a little more like his sanity might make a tentative comeback.

The rather comely waitress, who had served them and been making sheep’s eyes at Lucius all night, returned to look in on them.

“I wondered if there was aught else I could get you, my lords?” she asked softly. Her admiring gaze flitted from one to the other, but Sherry could tell she found the brooding Lord Darenth rather intriguing.

Lucius hadn’t the faintest idea she existed.

“No, thank you, though it was kind of you to ask. Goodnight to you,” Sherry replied, firmly but gently. He was certainly in no mood for a dalliance, no matter how pretty and willing she appeared, and he doubted Lucius went in for that sort of thing. It still came as something of a shock that he got hungry. Sometimes the man did not seem entirely human.

He had been silent since their dinner arrived, eating with methodical precision. Sherry had watched, fascinated, as he ate his meal in distinct little compartments. He’d truly never met anyone like him.

Of course, if Lucius had been silent for any length of time, there was only one likely outcome.

“I’ve been thinking—”

Sherry raised his eyes heavenward. “You couldn’t have given me one night?” he demanded of the almighty under his breath. He met Lucius’s gaze and read the gravity in his eyes.

Hell.

“This is bad, isn’t it?” Sherry asked wearily.

Lucius pursed his lips, frowning. “I told you it was bad when you brought me the blackmail note. I distinctly remember saying the situation might be more serious than it appeared at face value and that I’d not be surprised if he decides threats are not enough. Why does no one pay attention?”

Sherry sat up straighter. “What do you mean, threats are not enough?”

Lucius leaned forward in his seat, his expression intent. “Don’t you see? Keller is not running away from debtors, nor from us. I doubt he has the slightest idea that we or anyone else is after him. He’s not just leading us by the nose about the countryside, he’s moving with purpose.”

“What purpose?” Sherry demanded.

Lucius frowned as he sat back in his chair, gazing at the fire. For the first time since they had met, Sherry realised Lucius was genuinely worried.