Regency Rogues: Rakes' Redemption: Return of the Runaway (The Infamous Arrandales) / The Outcast's Redemption (The Infamous Arrandales). Sarah Mallory
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the greatest good fortune that I saw Valerin and his fools entering the inn as I was returning from the quay.’
‘But they said you were in the taproom!’
‘It was a man of similar build and dress. I met him in the street and persuaded him to go in and buy himself a drink. A few coins to the pot-boy did the rest. I am only thankful the lad had the wit to follow Valerin up the stairs.’
‘That could have been very dangerous for him.’
‘It could, although I’d seen Valerin cuff the lad even before he entered the inn, so I knew there’d be no love lost there. But enough of that, we have evaded capture and without much hurt, except to your wrists. And your dignity,’ he ended with a laugh in his voice, remembering her outrage.
‘Both of which will recover,’ she told him, unmoved. ‘That scoundrel Merimon was with him. He was hoping for a reward for your capture.’
‘He will be disappointed, then. I suppose Valerin must have come upon him after we had made our escape from the forest.’
‘That is what I think, too. But, Raoul, news has already reached here from Flagey, of how you helped the men caught under the collapsed barn. Valerin knew of it, that is why he was so certain you were here.’
‘Diable! So soon? Tiens, if Bonnaire had known how to wield the knife I would not have needed to show my hand.’
Cassandra clutched his arm. ‘You must not regret what you did for those poor people. I do not.’
‘Truly?’ He felt his heart lift a little. ‘Even though it has put you in danger?’
She waved one tiny hand.
‘Life is full of danger, Raoul. One must do what is right and helping the villagers was right.’
Raoul walked on, his head spinning at her words. She saw these things as he did. How had he ever thought her arrogant? Spirited, yes, headstrong and wilful, perhaps, but when he thought of the way she had worked with him to help the villagers and her bravery today, when Valerin had threatened her with heaven knows what, his heart was almost bursting with...
With what, respect? Admiration?
Her soft voice brought his wandering mind back to the present.
‘Where do we go now? Did you find a ship to take us out of Rouen?’
They were approaching a tavern and he stopped, realising that hunger was affecting his ability to think logically.
‘Let us go in here. I have not eaten anything since we broke our fast together this morning.’
‘Nor I.’
‘Then we shall dine in here and I can tell you of my success. Or lack of it.’
The tavern was gloomy, but that was to their advantage. He looked about and chose a small table in one shadowy corner where they could talk undisturbed. Raoul sat on the bench facing the entrance, keeping one eye on everyone who came in. He had deliberately chosen a table near the back door, where they could make their escape if necessary. A serving wench had brought them wine and bread and gone off to the kitchens to order their food.
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