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The barkeep shrugged one shoulder "That’s what it costs"

She waited for a moment, and then said, "I want a seat for the runted "Of course"

"Gratis," she said

He blinked

"Free," she clarified

He nodded "Free"

Well At least there was that She placed the coin on the bar, along with the sealed envelope "And for two pounds, I expect the letter to arrive tomorrow"

The man looked affronted "Of course"

She raised a brow "I do apologize, sir I should never have suggested that you ht misappropriate my funds, as you seem very reliable and aboveboard"

He did not hear the sarcasm in her words "I am that"

"Of course you are When is the next coach to arrive?"

"There’s one due tomorrow"

Excellent She had no reason not to be on it

She ignored the twinge in her shoulder, nearly as irritating as the knowledge that the man across the room cared not a bit for her presence "I shall take a seat on it"

The man reached beneath the counter and set a ticket on the bar She pocketed the slip of paper and considered her next course of action

"I’ve three questions" The words cah her

She resisted the urge to lean into him To look at him "Oh Hello, my lord"

He raised a brow "Hello"

"You’ve decided to acknowledge my presence"

"My lady, I assure you, were I not aware of you, I would h"

Her lips flattened into a straight line She was nothing more than a difficulty for him Obviously "What are your questions?"

"Why are you exchanging funds with the barkeep?"

She pushed past him to fetch a hard biscuit and a cup of tea fro more questions about Robbie, who had so shot

She should have told King the truth about Robbie But damned if she didn’t want him to think her spoken for To think her purposeful

To think her desired

To desire her hiht the moment it came Good Lord She did not wish him to desire her She was not mad She did not even enjoy his company And he certainly did not enjoy hers

She collected her plate and cup and turned to find hiuide her by the elbow to the table he had claiine was a weeks-old newspaper "Well?" he prompted when she sat "The barkeep’s money?"

"Why do you care to know?"

"Husbandly curiosity"

She sipped her tea "Luckily for both of us, you have no clais,back in his own chair "With what money did you pay him?"

Sophie’s cheeks warmed "Is that your second question?"