Page 58

“Well, then kiss me.”

“Here?”

“Yes, you scandalous rake, Here.” She grabbed his cravat which she had to admit was useful for persuading August to kiss her even if she did miss his open-shirted look.

He pressed a swift kiss to her mouth, but it was enough to leave her feeling a little unsteady and needing to put a hand to the wall.

“I’ll meet you in the dining room once I’ve spoken to the innkeeper,” he said.

She nodded and watched him push through the door into the busy taproom, briefly releasing a cacophony of chatter and warbling tunes, then she eased out a breath and turned to head into the dining room. Whatever happened next, they could not lose this. She couldn’t let it go.

Which meant she might have to do the unthinkable.

She’d have to ask August to marry her.

∞∞∞

August only needed to step one foot into the tavern before deciding he didn’t want Lilly staying here. Forced to squeeze past people who filled the room to bursting, he narrowly dodged a deluge of ale as a man regaled his friends with a tale August couldn’t understand thanks to his slurred words. He wasn’t the only person who had spilled beer here as the floor was sticky underfoot and huge cobwebs hung from the rafters. If this was the state of the taproom, he hated to think what the beds were like.

Women with thick make-up around their eyes, and dresses that hung precariously from their bodies lingered around the edges of the room, until invited to sit on a man’s lap and August spotted one couple vanishing through the rear door. He passed by one lady who smiled coyly through thickly painted lips.

“Need some company?”

“Not tonight.” He paused and fished a coin out of his pocket. “But I’m after information.”

She took the coin and slipped it into her stays with a pout. “I can give you more than information, sweeting.”

“Just information.”

“What do you need?”

“I’m looking for a horse—a fine one.”

She shrugged. “I don’t know nothing about horses.”

“It would draw attention.”

“I’m no stablehand.”

He sighed. “If you find out anything, there’s more coin in it for you. He’s a dun stallion. It’s not likely many of the grooms will have seen one like him.”

She pursed her lips then grinned, revealing red lipstick clinging to her teeth. “I can ask around.” She looked him up and down. “Will you be staying here?”

“Not likely.”

“I’m Amelie. I’m always here. Come back tomorrow, and I’ll have information for you.”

“My thanks, Amelie.” He offered her a dip of his head and went to turn around as she clucked about what a gentleman he was. Little did she know.

He paused and frowned at the sight of a heavy-set gentleman with a woman splayed across his lap. August peered around Amelie to get a better look.

“Don’t go to her. She works down the docks usually,” Amelie muttered but August ignored her and shoved through the crowds to reach the table.

“Mr. Brown is it not?” Although the man had his face burrowed against the generous pair of breasts, August recognized him with ease. He’d spent many a time in his uncle’s stables at the side of this man—anything to escape being at home. The man was known to exaggerate everything and told fanciful tales of seeking treasure in his youth and looking after horses for royalty.

“Get lost.” Brown waved a hand in his direction, keeping his attention glued to the whore’s breasts.

August set his jaw. It was no coincidence the man was here, in the town where Icarus was meant to be. Perhaps Brown thought his dreams of wealth would finally come true.