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No-Noseshook hisheadand proppedhis hands onhis hips He leanedto the side slightlyand spat ontheroad "Nope Caht to help at the town house
Volunteered Didn’t know I’d be ’spected to wear this here fancy-pants outfit, though"
"Hust at the pink livery herforced to wear, Valoree raised an eyebrow
"Andwhere is Skully? Why isn’t hedriving today? "
No-Nose shrugged "Went back to the ship for soain, then sighed "Well, what I just told One-Eye goesforyou, too Get ridofall your weapons but one pistol and twoshort blades Stick ’eminthe top of your pants and closeyourcoat Wearit proper And find so to tie your hair back withYou bothlooklike a coupleof pirates"
No-Nosestraightenedslightlyat that "Well, and so we should
That’s e are"
"Notright now, you’renot, " she said as if they were idiots
"You’replaying the parts of servantsat thehtly in offense, but Valoree smiled at them sweetly "You allvotedon this, " shereminded them, then hersmiledisappeared "Andif Ihave to run aroundin these da all ladylike, you two can play your parts, too I expect my orders tobe carried out If they aren’t"
She let thesentencefade away, a mean lookonher face There was no need tofinish the threat All her creould happen if they shoulddisobeyan orderSo, Valoreewhirled away, actuallyenjoying the way her skirts flew out around her, irimly back to whereLord Thurborne patiently waited
"Co his arto pull hiot hi at his hesitation, she eyed hin over thedoor unhappily
"Thisis a rather rough establishment for a lady I do notthink - "
"Can you not protect ned surprise He stiffened
"Aye, ofcourse I can, but - "
"Good" Whirling away, she hurried inside, leaving him to follow ornot as hewished
Thenoise from the tavern washed overher likethunder as she opened the door, but was a very brief thunder Her entrance seemed tobe notedbyeveryone rather quickly, and an o theirhthe sea of sailors, ne’er-do-wells, and doxies, tothebar Pausing there, she waited patiently as the barkeep hesitated, then made hisway to her
He eyed her uncertainly "Is there so I can help ye with, m’lady? " he askeddoubtfully
"Youcan poor when the bartender’seyebrows rose He glanced over her headat someone behind herUndoubtedlythat so what shehoped was asweet smile to her lips, sheturned and flashed itat the man, then a touch nauseous just now"
Both the noblemanand the bartender continuedto stare at her rather blankly, and Valoree’s frayed patience was stretched a littlefurther Eyes narrowing, she turned back to the barkeep
"Isaid, it settles my stomach Ye wouldn’t want ot a better response A look of horror overtaking his face, the from under the counter, slaly nowhere He pouredout soolden liquid into it
"Thank you, " she said with aave his own order - ale, ofcourse Probably for the best, she decided They didn’t serve stuff like she was drinking in theplaceshe likelywent This whiskey was thekind Petey could soakhis pots in andnever have toscour to get them cleanOnecould even drink theused whiskey afterward, and it wouldn’t taste any different Yes, sir, this was the good stuff
Sing therest of the liquid down, she slae to thekeeperthatshe wasready for moreThe minute hehad refilled it, she moved to the nearest tablewithan open spot and settled herself on the end of the bench Sheneededto drink and try to relax Danielfollowed and settled acrossfroaround warily as the other patrons slowly began to speak again - about her, no doubt They didn’tlike what they thought wasa ladyinvading their territory Didn’t like it at all That becamerather obviousin ahurry
"Mayhap we should find another place to - "
"Nay, it’sfine here Just ignore thenoring ias Bull, with hair asred as Valoree’sandawicked grinthat alone ear andhad a scar in its place that randown tohis chin
"Hello, lovey, " washis opening line, and Valoree arched an eyebrowathi I canhelp you with? " she asked, suddenly aware of the way Danielwas tensing across from her
"Actually, lovey, I was abouttoask ye theverysaestively"Mayhap alittle male companionship"
"She already has an escort, " Lord Thurborne said sharply, bristling all over
"Does she now? " The bigScot glanced at hi I was thinking ofoffering"
Muchto Valoree’s surprise, Danielwas on his feet beforethehiback around, and coldly glaredathiot, of course Thiswasn’t the type of place where men "discussed" their differences The Scot was on hi hi she would have to give up herrelaxing drink andinterveneon Daniel’s behalf It seemed she wouldfindno peacetodayanywhere
But before she could ained hi Valoree was impressed TheScot wasn’t much taller than Thurborne, but he carried twice his bulk, and had arhsand fists like pots But Daniel was thebetter fighter, apparently - and a dirty one, too, she realized with a grin amoment later as hesuddenly kickedthe other lued to his groin He tuhtening his cuffs, Daniel eyed the Scot for a moment, then turned a hard-eyed lookon Valoree "If you have finished your refreshet out of this establishment"
"Well, now, " she said withamusement"As ithappens, I am notquite finished Besides, it appears you’very look