She is willing to give up her love for his honor ...
He is willing to give up his honor for her love ...
Lady Beatrix Gillingham ran from her duty years ago...
Giving up her family's status and childhood dreams.
No one would suspect the barmaid is...
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Dr. Robins finished bandaging Hero and gave Beatrix instructions for his care before departing with a few of Hero's coins.
Beatrix watched as Hero grabbed a few more and handed them to her. "This is for a hack and a room in the better part of the city, since I have need of yours until the morning."
She looked down at the money in her hands and knew it would get her far more than a good room and a hack. She could hire a private coach to take her to Scotland with this amount. "It's far too much. I couldn't."
"You must. I've inconvenienced you for hours. Please, get one of the finest rooms in London and return by hack in the morning."
It was morning. She had only a few hours to rest now, yet the thought of doing so beneath fine sheets with a feathered pillow under her head...
"I know that look." He smiled. "You want it. Have it. You deserve it."
"But who will take care of you?" she asked, recalling Dr. Robin's instructions.
"I'm a soldier. I can take care of myself."
She'd not protest again. "Oh, thank you!" She took no issue with him staying in her room. There was nothing to steal, nothing that mattered anyway. "Thank you." She placed the coins in her pocket and moved to straighten his sheets.
He grabbed her hand before she could truly move away. "Thank you, Betty Gillett."
She smiled at him. "Thank you, Hero."
A soldier Had her father been alive, she imagined he'd have liked her to have wed a man like him. She was the daughter of an impoverished earl, though that mattered little now.
Their gazes held, and she wondered at the thoughts behind his eyes.
"I'll see you in the morning," she promised as she grabbed a few things. A brush. A night rail. She placed them into a small valise and then went to the door. With one last look at her wounded guest, she departed.
She took a hack straight to the West End and paid the fee. She was given a disapproving look when she entered the hotel, but at the presentation of coins, the footman gave her a smile and took her bag to her room.
By then, she was much too tired to take in the extravagant beauty of the room. She didn't even bother to change from her cotton dress. The moment her body touched the bed, she was gone from the world.
She awoke far too soon for her liking.
It took her a moment to realize where she was and then to recall how she'd gotten there. Once she did, she smiled and buried herself into the sheets. The pillows were better than she'd imagined. She wanted to strip and rub herself against the fine linen. It was a luxury she'd never had, not even when she'd been Lady Beatrix Gillingham.
Her father had married well but had invested poorly. Thus, it was gone. She had no clue where her twin brother was. When she'd refused to marry his friend, they'd had words and he'd dismissed her from the family home.
She had no other living family. She hadn't known her mother's side, since they'd not approved of her marriage to a penniless lord, earl or not.
She turned over and stared at the ceiling. The geometric design was beautiful. Diamonds and squares were intricately patterned with deep grooves that caught the light of the sun.
The sun!
She shot up to a sitting position and then scrambled off the bed.
She was late. She'd lose her position. She'd never slept so late in all her life.
Thankfully, she'd not changed last night. With no time to do more than relieve herself, she dashed from the room, left the hotel, and thankfully found a hack in short order.
She had to stop herself from chewing her nails—a childhood habit—as she thought of what Mr. Thump would say and what he'd demand of her.
She straightened her wig and made sure her own darker hair was hidden.
Was Hero still there? Likely so. He was hurt. He needed her.
She had to get to the tavern. At the first hint of the Thames in the air, she knew she was close.
It seemed to take forever for the hack to finally stop. She paid the man and then dashed across the stone-flagged road and into the building.
The tavern was always full for breakfast. A few dock workers were in regular attendance for the meal. There were soldiers sitting and eating as well.
She looked around and saw no sight of Mr. Thump but noticed two women serving that she'd never seen before. She moved toward the kitchens and found John.
"Morning, Betty." John grinned. "It was good of your husband to find two maids to take your position for you this morning. I had offered to go and fetch you, but he warned me against disturbing you. He said you needed to sleep. How did you sleep? Well, I presume."
She nodded slowly.
Hero had hired two maids at his own expense? When did the giving stop?
"Is he still here?" she asked.
He shook his head. "I helped him into a hack this morning. He said he left you a note in your room. It's sad that he had to leave so quickly when he'd just returned. I don't know how you can stand the distance."
"Thank you, John."
"I won't be here tonight," he told her. "Mr. Simms found me a position at Covent Garden for the play this evening. But if you need anything, just have someone send a message for me." John Perry had ambitions of being a footman. He was handsome enough and hardworking.
He often worked for Mr. Thump's cousin, Mr. Simms, a man who was very different than the tavern owner. Beatrix had met Mr. Simms once or twice. He was kind and had a son in the navy who he and Mr. Thump were quite proud of.
John often spoke of the man's home on the edge of Hyde Park, dreaming that one day it would be him who greeted whoever walked through the door.
Beatrix was certain that one day he'd be noticed and find a position in a wonderful home.
She smiled at him. "Thank you, John." She went around him and the cook and opened the door to her room.
The note was there on the stand. He'd left his purse as well.
She picked up the note and read it.
To the angel who rescued me from the throes of death, I leave you a gift. May it bless you as you have blessed me.
Hero
She smiled and touched the purse. It was full. In disbelief, she opened the back and dumped the coins on her bed.
Tears built and spilled from her eyes.
It had been years since she'd cried.
There was enough for her to afford a better room elsewhere. She'd no longer have to sleep at the tavern if she didn't wish it. She counted the coins over and over again and imagined how much her life would improve with this gift.
She'd done nothing to gain it. His wound had brought him nowhere near his demise.
But there was no way she could return it now. She didn't know his surname, though she thought with a name like Hero, he'd not be too hard to find.
But what was the point? This was a gift. A wonderful gift and she'd use it well.
