Read Online Only Marriage Will Do by Jenna Jaxon - Free Book Online Page A

that had brought him to this pass. He raised his head. A disgusting sucking sound as it came away from the muck made him cringe.
    Wide-eyed, Glynis stared into his face and tried to scramble backward off him.
    “For God’s sake, stay where you are, woman. The whole point of this gallant gesture was to keep you from getting filthy. It will not be to my credit at all if I fail abysmally at this point.”
    Juliet, hand clasped over her mouth, took a tentative step forward.
    “Juliet, have you taken leave of your senses? Don’t you dare stir a step, lest you end up in the mud alongside us.”
    She skittered back inside the inn, so at least she had some sense.
    Meanwhile, Roberts calmly waded through the mire and plucked Glynis up from her muddy bower.
    She latched onto him with the speed of a striking snake, and the two moved off toward the inn.
    Amiable winced as he sat up, peeling his jacket away from the gummy ground. He rose to his feet and trudged toward the doorway, his clothes leaden.
    Just inside the door, Juliet burst into giggles.
    He glared at her as long as possible, though her merry peals were infectious. He must look ludicrous. A chuckle shook him then grew into whoops of laughter. “I’ll have you know, madam,” he said, gasping in a breath, “this jacket cost me almost half a month’s salary and now it won’t be fit for a dog to sleep on. Fortunately, the pants are leather and I hope can be cleaned. But my coat and waistcoat are ruined.” He grinned. “You will now have to go without new frocks until the loss can be redeemed.”
    “Oh, Amiable.” At last, she stopped laughing and wiped her eyes. “I am so sorry, my dear. You looked so surprised, don’t you know?” She widened her eyes and opened her mouth in a big O, imitating his expression, which set her off laughing again. She even snorted once. Very unladylike, but utterly charming.
    “A proper wife would ask if I were injured,” he said, trying to reclaim some dignity.
    “But when have your ever wanted a proper wife?” She grinned at him, mischief in every line of her face.
    “Now would perhaps be a good time to start, my dear.” He continued in a lower voice. “We can scarcely have announced our presence here any better than if we had shouted it from the roof of the coach or passed out handbills. I pray God St. Cyr does not pass this way.”
    Juliet, sobered, glanced around the courtyard, and withdrew inside. She shot him a compassionate look and hurried toward the innkeeper. “Sir, my husband and I are in need of a room with a parlor and a bathtub as quickly as possible. A room for my maid, as well, if you please.”
    The innkeeper smiled, whether at her distracted air or his own sorry appearance Amiable couldn’t tell. Didn’t care. All he wanted was to strip his blasted clothes off and sink into a hot bath.
    “The Talbot’s hospitality is at your service, sir, madam. Will you require accommodations for your husband’s manservant as well?”
    “No,” Amiable spoke up. “He did not accompany me on this journey.” He looked pointedly at his ruined clothes, threatening to drip dirty water onto the floor. “More’s the pity.”
    Juliet gasped and turned a peculiar shade of scarlet.
    Recalling the last time he’d used that particular phrase, he chuckled. “Come, Mrs. Dawson. We seem to have much work to do before either of us gets dinner.”
    The innkeeper produced the required keys and led Juliet up the stairs. Amiable followed, wincing at the squish, squish each step brought.
    The soothing blue room with the parlor proved spacious if not luxurious. The standard furnishings had seen better days but they were clean and well kept. The room itself faced the rear of the inn, assuring its occupants of a night without noises from the inn yard. Servants bustled about, bringing in their luggage, settling the bathtub next to the fireplace and laying a fire.
    “Nuthatch, sir, at your service.” The innkeeper bobbed his head.