Read No Groom at the Inn: A Dukes Behaving Badly Novella for Free Online Page B

were spending at least two more weeks here, and he wouldn’t do anything to disturb his mother’s pleasure, even if it meant enduring looks and comments for the entire time they were there.
    Plus it would just mean he would find more reasons to escape to be alone with his betrothed, and perhaps he’d get his Christmas present early.
    “J ames, a word, please.” It was the end of the evening—the very long evening—and Sophronia was exhausted, as much from being on her guard as from having traveled all day.
    He, she thought grumpily, looked as fresh and handsome as he had that morning when they’d gotten into the coach. His charming smile remained in effect, hours into the excruciating evening, although perhaps it wasn’t quite as excruciating for him as it had been for her. Or a different kind of excruciating; he was wanted by nearly all the ladies in the general area, whereas she . . . was not.
    She’d dutifully accompanied him to view what appeared to be some old, dingy pieces of tin, the “collection” of which Mrs. Green was so proud. Mr. Green seemed to not have an opinion about anything whatsoever, merely nodding in reply to any question posed him and devoting all of his interest to his dinner and later, his brandy.
    Miss Green refused to be daunted by Sophronia’s presence, clinging to James’s arm as they walked the hallway to the room where the collection was kept, Sophronia trailing along behind like a tall afterthought.
    Until James paused and waited for her to come alongside him, then took her arm on his other side so the three of them were walking abreast. Sophronia couldn’t help but be touched by that courtesy, even though it also proclaimed his marital intentions, and thus served his purpose in bringing her along in the first place.
    “What is it, my dear?” He grinned at her, as though fully aware just how his epithet would make her feel, and delighted by the prospect of her reaction—whether annoyance or amusement, she wasn’t sure. A mingling of both, likely as not.
    “Could we step outside for a moment?”
    His grin got deeper. “You are aware, are you not, that it is December? And therefore likely to be quite cold?” He glanced around at the rest of the company. “Unless you know I can keep you warm.”
    “Jamie!” his mother exclaimed. “You’ll embarrass Sophronia!”
    And Mrs. Archer was right. Although now her cheeks felt as though they were burning, and heat was spreading through her body so she knew she would not be cold outside at all.
    So he had managed to keep her warm after all.
    His eyes were laughing as he took her arm and guided her toward the door to the hallway. “We’ll be just a moment, not long enough to cause a scandal,” he called as they walked.
    “Do you enjoy doing that?” she asked exasperatedly, then answered her own question. “Of course you do, or you wouldn’t do it.”
    “Do what?”
    They reached the door, at which a surprised footman waited. “Yes, we’re going outside just for a moment,” James said.
    “Can I fetch the lady’s wrap?” the footman asked.
    “I won’t need it,” Sophronia replied, still feeling as though she were burning from the inside out.
    “Excellent, my lady,” the footman replied, unable to keep the dubious tone from his voice.
    The night was cold, but not frigid, and it felt entirely refreshing after being in the stifling—in all ways—atmosphere of the drawing room.
    They stood on the stairs, a light showing from the stables to the right of them, the moon casting a glow over the driveway and the gardens in the distance.
    It was so blessedly and wonderfully quiet. It seemed he appreciated that as well, since he didn’t speak, just kept hold of her arm as he guided her down the stairs, across the driveway and just up to the gardens, which had a light dusting of snow.
    Sophronia hadn’t seen snow in its natural state perhaps ever—her father rarely wanted to go to the country, and even when he did go, it