Page 26 of The Duke’s Sharpshooter (The Duke’s Guard #14)

S usana Harkness was fuming. “How could he prefer that haggard, skin-and-bones harpy to me ?”

The cook did not bother to reply, which irritated Susana even more. She stomped over, raised her voice, and said, “I asked you a question.”

The older woman shook her head. “Any louder and everyone in the taproom will hear you. Do you really want to drum your brother out of business?”

Susana leaned close. “I do not care in the least if he loses this inn. I do not want to work here. I was meant for a far better life than this, and I plan to see that I get it!”

The cook ignored the outburst and continued to stir the pot of stew. “Shouldn’t you be making the rounds and taking orders from our guests?”

“I am not a serving girl!” With that, Susana spun on her heel and stalked out of the kitchen.

A few moments later, her brother strode through the doorway. “Where’s Susana?”

The cook sighed. “She just left in a huff after reminding me for the umpteenth time that she was not a serving girl.”

The innkeeper frowned. “It’s been hard on her since our parents died. I know she can be difficult, but I need her where I can watch over her. I cannot leave the inn and take her to London.”

“You’re a good man, Tom Harkness,” the cook told him. “You pay a fair day’s wages and treat your employees well. I’m going to risk making you mad, but you should know Susana just told me that she was meant for a better life and was going to see that she got it.”

Tom raked a hand through his hair, making it stand on end. “Which way did she go?”

“The side door that leads around back.”

He nodded. “I’ll divide Susana’s tasks among the others.” He paused in the doorway, slapped his hand against the wall, and looked over his shoulder. Anger was evident in his posture and his expression, but he controlled it. “Thank you for telling me.”

“She has had her heart set on snagging one of the duke’s men for a while now.”

Tom’s fierce frown was worrisome, but his tone was even when he asked, “Which one?”

“Flaherty.”

He nodded and left.

*

Susana snuck into the back of the stables. The rough-looking man her brother had recently hired was mucking out stalls. She sashayed over to where he worked spreading fresh straw in the stall he’d just cleaned. Pitching her voice low, she purred, “I have been looking for you.”

His gaze met hers and she saw a flare of heat in his dark eyes. “You found me.”

Not the reply she usually received. Men usually bent over backward to do whatever she asked.

Of course, she repaid them with certain favors she was well used to doling out, and most of the time she enjoyed the quick tumble most expected in return.

She knew she was beautiful and had a shapely body that men craved.

She inhaled and watched the flash of heat she was watching for. He was interested, but did not want to cede control. She had played that game before and won.

“I need a favor, and you look to be strong enough and intelligent enough to do it for me.”

He slid his gaze from the top of her head, settling it on her full breasts and hips, until she had no doubt what he wanted. “What do I get in return?”

“My brother doesn’t pay me enough to purchase hair ribbons. I do not have any coin to pay you with, but I’m certain we can come to an agreement.” She moved close enough to feel the heat pouring off his body and nearly laughed, knowing she had him in the palm of her hand.

Susana dipped one shoulder and felt her gown slip low on one side. She had her necklines lowered to show off her large breasts to any and all interested in sampling them. From the desire in the eyes of the man ogling her décolletage , she knew he wanted a taste of her.

Maybe she’d give him one. She turned her back to him and glanced over her shoulder. “If you want a sample of what I’m worth, follow me.”

He set the pitchfork against the wall, removed his gloves, and put his hands on her waist. “I may have time for more than a sample.”

Neither one of them saw or heard the young stable hand who walked around the corner toward the empty stalls, in time to hear her sultry laughter as she pulled the man toward the tack room at the back of the stables.