Page 93 of The Pursuit of Mrs. Pennyworth
“Yes.”
“Excellent.” She marched forward and swept past him, down the corridor, to the unlocked door. She opened it and the guard sitting at the desk ignored her. Expecting Barton to accost her any minute, she hurried out the door into the bright sunlight, raising her hand to block the sun from her eyes. She strode about twenty paces and stopped.
What am I to do now?
* * *
Stunnedby Charlotte’s quick exit, it took Elliot a minute to react and follow her. Where the devil did the woman think she was going? She had no money, or a way to return to London. The guard was once again sitting at his desk when Elliot entered the front room of the jail. “Where did Mrs. Pennyworth go?”
He waved at the front door. “Out there, somewhere. She’s no longer my problem since Lord Barton said she could leave.”
Elliot tamped down the urge to flatten the man’s nose. “You are a disgrace to law enforcement.”
The man flushed, and did not respond, but shrugged and went back to flipping the cards he played.
Charlotte had come to a dead stop halfway up the block. He caught up to her, making sure she saw him so he wouldn’t startle her. “Sweetheart, we can stay overnight at an inn, or take the next train to London, which is in about two hours.”
“Pardon sir, but please do not address me in such a familiar manner.” She glared at him, enough to have him stepping back. “If you would be so kind as to purchase me a train ticket to London, I will see that you are reimbursed.”
“Charlotte, I would suggest we stay at an inn tonight. I don’t wish to disparage your person, but you are not properly dressed for a train ride.”
She glanced down at herself, and her shoulders slumped. “Perhaps you are right. If you would also lend me money for a room, I would greatly appreciate it.”
“Certainly.” He attempted to take her arm, but she pulled away from him and continued down the street.
He shook his head. “Charlotte, the inn is the other direction.”
She turned and headed the other way, her head raised, as she tugged her dirty, smelly skirts closer so she would not touch him. He almost laughed but knew that would not be the best way to get back into her good graces. So, instead, he trudged after her.
Since he had given up the room he’d been using since his arrival in Melbourne Station, anticipating they would take a quick return to London, he led her to an inn closer to the train station. As he had pointed out to her, with the dishevelment of her appearance, she would need to tidy herself up before she was fit to ride the train.
The Great Slaver Inn sat on a corner parcel about two blocks from the train station. Charlotte entered ahead of him and walked straight up to the desk along the wall by the staircase. “I would like a room, please.”
The innkeeper looked her up and down, and obviously found her wanting. “That will be three shillings, miss.”
Elliot stepped up. “That is missus, my good man. My wife and I need a room for the both of us.”
Charlotte swung around and opened her mouth to dispute him, but he gave her a quick head shake. The poor woman had no idea how bad she looked. Since he would be the one to pay for the room, anyway, he was sure the innkeeper would toss her out on her ear if he didn’t claim her as his wife.
“Married are ye?” He leered, as he looked Charlotte up and down again.
“Yes.” He kept his clenched fists at his side as he stared the man down, challenging the innkeeper to dispute him. The last thing he wanted Charlotte to witness was a brawl on the inn floor. He withdrew the coins from his pocket and added two more. “We would like a hot meal sent up to the room, and my wife will require a bath, as well.”
The innkeeper nodded and scooped up the coins. He shoved an open book across the desk and handed Elliot a pen. He wrote ‘Mr. and Mrs. Baker’ on the next empty line. The innkeeper dragged the book back, turned and took a key from a cubby behind the desk. “Room four.”
“Thank you.” Elliot took the key and held out his arm to Charlotte. “My dear?”
For a moment, he thought his charade was about to explode, and he would receive a fist to his eye. Charlotte’s breathing had increased, and he was sure it was anger, and not desire she was feeling. Eventually, she must have realized if she wanted a bath, food, and a decent night’s sleep, she would have to go along with him.
She took his arm and dug her nails into his jacket. “I am not your wife.” She growled, under her breath.
Elliot swallowed his smile. At least he’d gotten her to stay in the same room with him. If he was going to get her back, he needed to do quite a bit of groveling. And seducing, although given the stiffness of her body and the look on her face,thatwas not going to happen anytime soon.
* * *
Charlotte grittedher teeth as they climbed the stairs and took the few steps down the corridor to the room. Elliot unlocked the door and held it open. She swept in, and the first thing her eyes landed on was the bed. “You’ll sleep on the floor,” she tossed over her shoulder.
She was filled with curiosity as to how Elliot had gotten her out of jail and the charges dismissed, but she would not ask the bounder. He’d acknowledged that they were fake charges, but not how he’d taken care of them. Despite her curiosity, she had no intention of speaking to him. They might be thrown together for the night, and the train ride tomorrow, but then she would be done with him.
