Read Online How to Capture a Duke (Matchmaking for Wallflowers Book 1) by Bianca Blythe - Free Book Online

to eat.” Percival patted his stomach.
    And run away.
But the Scarlet Demon didn’t need to know that part of the plan just now. She’d find that out soon enough, hopefully well after he’d expanded the distance between them.
    He smiled as he directed the horses toward the half-timbered building. A faded sign said
Old Goblet Lodge.
He just needed to get away before the woman told everyone who he really was. And have dinner. Zeus knew he wouldn’t be making any stops after he made his escape.
    Her smile tightened. “Just don’t flee.”
    “Better not brandish that knife around there. You might find yourself getting hauled over to the magistrate’s.”
    “I’m sure that’s a vision that appeals to you,” she said.
    He laughed, and they descended the steps of the carriage. He gripped his cane tightly and maneuvered to the cobblestones below.
    The Scarlet Demon offered him her hand. He smiled; he would almost miss her.
    He forced his gaze away from her, toward the sky. “It’s going to snow.”
    “Nonsense. The stars are out.”
    “I’ve spent enough nights looking at the sky. Sleeping outside becomes more appealing when you’re in a tent full of snorers.”
    “How very—individualistic of you.”
    He nodded, though he didn’t mention that it wasn’t just snoring he’d longed to escape. The men shouted in their sleep, reliving battle experiences every time they shut their eyes. Perhaps their minds were trying to extract some meaning from their experiences, but it was impossible; there was none.
    He pushed open the door to the tavern, the red-headed woman at his side. Her eyes widened as they entered. Groups of men clustered at wooden tables. A few chess boards were scattered around, and in one corner men played darts. Some men were eating. Tankards adorned the tables, brimming with delightful liquids that ranged from gold to amber in color.
    He headed to the counter. He would eat, drink, and then flee. The scent of mince pies filled the tavern, and Percival groaned.
    “Are you quite alright?” The scarlet-haired woman directed her gaze at him, and he suppressed a laugh.
    “I’d feel better if I weren’t captured.”
    Her smile wobbled. “Later.”
    Yes, later was definitely not anything he wanted happening anytime soon. The floor creaked underneath his steps, and he ducked to avoid the wooden beams. “Some of the patrons look like they’ve been here for centuries, gossiping about Anne Boleyn.”
    An elderly man cleared his throat and narrowed his eyes slowly as if the action drew all his exertion.  His gaze dropped to Percival’s wooden stump. “You look a mite ragged yourself.”
    “At least I was once handsome.” Percival ignored the stern gaze the man fixed on him. He hated when people drew attention to his leg. He put his hand on the small of the woman’s waist and raised his voice. “These people lack all sense.”
    Greenery dangled from the ceiling, and the scent of mulled wine mingled with the ale dispersed about the pub. He tried to relax, but the group of men scowling at him unsettled him.
    The Scarlet Demon eyed a group of flamboyantly dressed woman. “Such strange clothes.”
    “I take it I shouldn’t add experience with whoring to your list of crimes.”
    Her eyes widened, and he grinned. In the light her emerald shards really shone. So much life in them. He could almost forget she’d taken him to this God-forsaken place. Nobody to help him here, that was certain.
    A barmaid marched to them. “Ale?”
    “And meat,” Percival said.
    “For me too,” the Scarlet Demon said. “And um—potatoes and broccoli.”
    “I knew you were hungry,” Percival said.
    “You’re paying.”
    “I wondered when you were going to start robbing me.”
    She chuckled, and Percival almost laughed with her. He tapped his fingers against the table and considered informing these people he’d been captured. That hadn’t worked before, and the thought of the magistrate locking her up somewhere