Page 27 of No Ordinary Lady

“Well, that’s it then,” Daniel approached the old lady, apparently master of his own tongue again, and held out his hand. “I have the ring back and that’s the end of the matter, right?”

“Absolutely,” Marian agreed wholeheartedly, catching his eye. The sooner she was away from that accursed ring, and Danny, the better.

“Not quite the end,” the old lady said as she put the ring into her bodice. “The ring stays with me for now.”

“But you gave it to me,” Danny protested.

“That was when I thought you could make the right choice for your bride. I have my doubts now.”

“Granny, don’t do this.”

“It is done, my dear boy,” the old lady warned. “The ring always belonged to me.”

Danny fumed and pouted in silence, but eventually turned away from them both. She could hear him muttering to himself. Words that made no sense to her.

Whatever Marian had thought she’d seen in Danny’s character at the inn, some mysterious symmetry of feeling or companionship, must have only been a figment of her imagination. He was someone else entirely here. No longer the confidant man who had wished to save her.

“Well, I did what I came here to do, and I’ll be on my way again,” she told them both. “Do excuse me.”

“Wh… Where are you going?” Daniel asked through gritted teeth, snapping around to face her again.

“Anywhere but here,” Marian answered, but then remembered to curtsy to the old lady, who, despite her odd behavior, seemed a good-natured soul and worthy of respect. “Goodbye, madam.”

“It’s not goodbye. You are not going anywhere at this time of night, young lady. Is she, Danny?” Granny exclaimed, rising. “We can at least offer her a bed for one night, and a satisfying meal, too. After all, she returned my ring to me. Such a good deed deserves a reward of some sort, too. Perhaps funds.”

“She already has all my coin to continue her journey,” Danny ground out. “She has to go now and get as far away as possible.”

“Yes, well, it’s been lovely,” Marian promised, embarrassed by his curt response. She hadn’t asked him to leave the money beside the bed or to leave the ring behind. “Goodbye, sir, and I’m sorry for bothering you yesterday. All the best to you and your mother, too.”

“Oh, so my grandson told you all about us, did he? Did he also mention he’s finally ready to tie the knot and wed?” the old woman asked, one brow raised.

“I did not tell her anything,” he promised.

“I figured it out,” Marian threw out. “But only after I arrived and saw him with that young woman in the drawing room. She’s beautiful.”

“With a great dowry, too,” the old woman murmured. “It must have been difficult for you to see them together after coming all this way to meet him again. You have my sympathy, my dear. The heart wants what the heart wants. I suppose you met at an inn and shared a bed there?” Granny asked, looking at her grandson with brows raised high.

When Danny winced, Granny’s eyes filled with mirth. “I thought so.”

Oh, she was a clever old duck, this granny of his. She must keep him on his toes. Could he keep any secrets from her at all?

Marian was enjoying his discomfort, though she probably shouldn’t admit to that. If he really was to marry, then she ought not remain. Marian could not remain one night or even one more hour in this place. He had to be good now, proper. Become a husband and cause his future wife no embarrassment.

“I’ll see you out,” Danny said suddenly, stepping close. His fingers closed about her upper arm, and she didn’t resist the urge to lean toward him.

“Wouldn’t being seen with a beautiful young woman, and alone in the upper halls, cause something of a scandal?” Granny asked with a knowing smile. “Better I show her to the nearest exit than you do it, dear boy. You might be tempted to keep her, judging by the way you’re holding her so possessively.”

Marian shook off his grip and hurried toward the door. When she turned back, the old lady had the ring on her fingertip, holding it out. Marian’s body swayed back toward the ring, and she cursed, fighting to resist the lure of its particular temptation.

“Goodbye,” she said through gritted teeth and hurried out the door.

Steps followed her out into the hall. “I’m sure it’s for the best that she goes,” Granny said loudly behind her.

“Yes, it’s for the best,” Daniel answered before a door slammed closed behind her.

When she turned, the old lady was rushing toward her. “Now, my dear. Never mind about his poor welcome tonight. I’m sure he’s happy to see you, just afraid to show it. You and I are going to have that conversation we’re both longing for,” she said.

Marian shook her head. “No. I am leaving.”