Chapter 104 - Hundred And Four
It was morning. The harsh light of a new day streamed through the single, grimy window of the small inn room, illuminating the chaos within. A man’s formal coat was thrown carelessly on top a small table, a shirt was tossed over a chair, a woman’s silk gown was a puddle of lavender on the floor, and the bedsheets were a tangled, rumpled mess.
Knock...
Knock..
Knock.
A series of sharp knocks came on the door. "It is past the hour of nine, my lord. It is time for you to leave, please," a voice called from the outside.
The sound from the knock finally woke him up. George’s eyes opened slowly, blinking against the bright, unforgiving light. For a moment, he was disoriented. Then, he looked to his side. The space beside him on the lumpy mattress was empty. " Where’s she?" He asked himself, his voice a low whisper.
"Anne?" he said in a soft, hopeful whisper.
The door to the small bathing area opened, and Anne came out, a cloud of steam following her. She was dressed only in her delicate chemise, her long brown hair damp and clinging to her shoulders. She looked at the main door and called out, her voice clear and steady. "We will be out in a moment. Thank you."
George could hear the footsteps of the innkeeper retreating down the hallway. He looked around the messy room, his memory of the previous night flooding back in a warm, pleasant rush. After their passionate, desperate kiss behind the carriage, he had paid for a night at this quiet, out-of-the-way inn. They had, in the heat of the moment, graced each other’s bed. He looked at Anne, who was now standing in front of a small, cracked mirror, drying her hair with a rough towel. A happy, lovesick smile spread across his face.
"How was your night?" he asked, his voice full of a new, hopeful intimacy.