The Portrait by Hazel Statham Page A

chatterbox" He grinned. "You
talked incessantly and with scarcely any caution. Forswear, I
was in constant fear of our being found out, although you certainly seemed to relish your role of schoolboy. However, I think
it advisable that we recommence our journey in more comfort.
Without it being necessary to pick up and deposit passengers,
we should reach Freddie that much sooner."
    "Couldn't we delay our journey just a little, Ned?" she said
unexpectedly. "This is such a cozy inn, and it wouldn't do Freddie any harm to reflect on his misdeeds. Forswear, it may even
do him some good."
    "Let him stew, you mean? I can see the sense in that, but it
would not do that we tarry. We cannot spend another night under
this roof. Think of the impropriety of the situation and the scandal we would cause should our whereabouts become known"
    "Who's to know where we are? It isn't a route frequented
by society, and the inn is so small, it could easily pass unnoticed. It's so pleasant here. Couldn't we stay just one more
night? I promise I will not plague you. Please, Ned."
    Sinclair found it difficult to resist the pleading in her voice
but, realizing he must stand firm, curtly replied, "No. We must
make what speed we can so we can resolve the situation as
soon as possible. Go and prepare for the journey. I will ask the
landlord for directions to the nearest posting inn."

    It was not until Jennifer rejoined the earl in the parlor a
short while later that he had the opportunity to discuss the
matter with the landlord.
    "The Red Fox is the inn you want, sir," said the proprietor.
"You'll have no difficulty in hiring a chaise there, though it's
a tidy step away from here"
    "And how far is a `tidy step'?" inquired Sinclair.
    "I should say about seven miles, as the crow flies."
    "It's a lovely day. We could easily walk there," enthused
Jennifer.
    "My dear Jem, you are not a bird, and neither am I," was
the earl's dampening reply. "Although I have every confidence in your ability to walk seven miles, I don't think it wise
to attempt it."
    "I have a gig that you could drive over to the Red Fox," said
the landlord, eager to be of some assistance. "Our eldest son
works at the smithy, and he could return it to me when he finishes for the day."
    "Does he walk the seven miles to work?" asked Jennifer,
curious.
    "He does, young sir, so he will be glad of the ride home"
    "If your son is able to walk that distance before a day's
work, I am quite sure that we could...."
    "No, we could not!" interposed Sinclair with some force.
Turning to the landlord, he said, "We will take the gig and
thank you for it."
    "I will put the horse to the shafts immediately, sir," said the
landlord. "He's young but a sweet-enough goer."
    The post chaise bowled out of the yard at the Red Fox, its
occupants appreciating its comparative comforts to their previous mode of travel.
    "I must admit, post has definite advantages over the common coach," confided Jennifer.
    "I thought you'd found it quite amusing." The earl chuckled,
sitting opposite his companion, easing his long legs out before him, and crossing his ankles. "Now, alas, you have only me to
entertain you"

    "Sadly, 'tis a circumstance I will have to bear with what fortitude I can muster," said Jennifer, smiling in return, longing to
emulate his position but realizing it would appear most unladylike.
    "As we are traveling post, I've decided that we can now
forgo the dubious pleasures of Coventry and take a more direct route to our destination. Therefore, we need spend only
one further night en route"
    "Where will that be?"
    "I know of a posting house in Oakham-not intimately but
by repute. It's said to offer excellent accommodation and a
more than adequate bill of fare"
    She appeared to consider this. "But if it's been recommended, will it not also be know to other members of the ton?
And who knows who might be patronizing it? Perhaps a
lesser-known inn would suffice"
    "I think you might