A/N: Thank you for reading and sorry about the wait.
Chapter two:
Leaning out of her room the next morning, Serena peered cautiously around the edge of her door, the room to her left thankfully quiet. Slipping out of the room and locking the door soundly, she nodded her head in greeting at the men and women who filled the hall. Joining the morning crowd as they made their way towards the narrow stairs, she was pleased to see that all were hungry for a bite to eat.
As the stairs creaked and wheezed beneath their combined weight, Serena ground her teeth, praying that they would not end up dead with shattered necks. Feeling cheery as the smell of eggs, sausages and baked bread wafted through the inn, her stomach growled in response. After a fitful night, she was famished.
Heading towards the furthest table she sat down, the morning light brightening the inn's interior, the atmosphere and air almost healthy. It was of course, far too early for gin and raucous activity. Straightening her posture as she quickly scanned the occupied tables; Serena could not help but admire the size and condition of the lower floor of the Inn. Situated in the fast-growing town of Brimingham, the conditions and quality was a fine comparison to the inns and public houses in London.
Gaze straying to the serving maids whose necklines were a little higher than usual, she surreptiously looked down at her own bosom and frowned. If she possessed a bosom like the women in here, she would die of true and utter happiness. Twitching her lips in irritation, she summoned up a smile for the woman coming towards her, a tray balanced on each hand.
"Anything for you this morning, miss?"
"Just the usual breakfast thank you,"
"Will be with you shortly," the woman smiled as she bustled off, ignorant of the male gazes lingering after her swaying hips.
Ugh, Serena thought with a shake of her head. Men. Instantly reminded of Alan Wellington, she froze. A lecherous and obsessive young man, he had stalked her best friend for months. It was not until recently did he meet his death on the servants' floor in his family house. And for her part in helping her friend get rid of the body, she was now on the run. Thinking of her parents as she nervously twiddled her thumbs, she took in a deep breath, reassuring herself that her parents would be fine. But against the police who could not exercise patience was another matter.
They would hound her parents until they got what they wanted. And when they did, they would hunt her down. Feeling the tears prick at the surface of her eyes, she blinked back the hot moisture and sniffed. She would hang by the neck until dead for a murder she did not commit.
Struggling to regain some control over her emotions, the rustle of skirts and plates of steaming food was placed beneath her nose with a thud. Looking up at the woman who gave a wink, Serena gave a small smile in return.
"Thank you."
"That's alright, miss. Eat up now. I hate seeing a young woman looking so depressed. Cheer up. The blotchy spots on your face don't go too well with your complexion."
"How kind of you to notice," Serena muttered under her breath as the woman bustled away.
Picking up the fork which was slightly rusty, she shrugged and dug into the plate of scrambled eggs; the first mouthful driving all thought and worries away.
Content and satisfied as she finished every last bit of her breakfast, Serena patted her stomach. Then reminding herself of the limited sources in her pouch, guilt replaced the momentary contentment. Though her parents were of middle-class range and had provided her enough money, her cousin in London would no doubt struggle to feed her. She would have to compensate by not eating for the rest of the day. Adding the morning meal to her bill, she got up from the table with a heavy heart.
Consciously aware of the increasing noise as the patrons who woke late came flooding through; she quickly headed towards the stairs, keeping her gaze downcast as she hurried past the patrons. Though none took any notice, caution was better executed for someone in her in her situation. If her luck did run out, they would no doubt remember seeing her through the persistent coaxing of the authorities should they pass this way.
Keeping her eyes on the surface of the stairs as she manoeuvred her way up past the light traffic, she reached the top of the stairs. Allowing her hair to fall in her face as she continued to follow the path to her room, she straightened her posture as soon as the sound of activity in the hallway dimmed. Raising her head and working the muscles of her neck, Serena came to a complete and sudden stop. There was a man standing in front of her room.
Staring at the man at a safe distance, she swallowed as a million thoughts raced through her head. Who was he and what did he want? Could it possible that he was one of the officers from the police force? Hyperventilating as she squeezed her eyes shut and bunched her fists; she started towards the man with small, tentative steps. Whatever the case, she hoped luck was on her side.
"Excuse me sir," she said loudly as she stood behind him, the man's shoulders impressively broad.
"Oh goodness," he gasped as he whirled about, his hand pressed to his heart.
"But have you lost your way?"
"Excuse me?"
"You are standing in front of my room," Serena said patiently. "Are you lost?"
"Goodness no," the man said with a snort.
Frowning as she gave the man a strange look, she tilted her head to the side as her heart beat a little faster. "Then what -"
"I experienced a disturbance last night."
"A disturbance?" Serena repeated, confused.
"Yes. A disturbance," the man said coolly. "I suppose that disturbance wasn't you by any chance?"
As memories flooded her head, Serena was suddenly outraged. So this was the damnable man from the room on her left. What an ass. Gritting her teeth and narrowing her eyes, she placed her hands on her hips.
"How dare you sir, accuse me of being a disturbance when night after night I have been forced to listen to you rut with every woman who falls into your bed. Have you any idea of what that does to my sleeping pattern?"
"Well that can't be helped," the man retorted. "Blame the inn-keeper for his poor allocation."
"You are not going to apologize?"
"I see no reason to. Besides a young woman travelling alone raises a few questions do you not think? Surely there is no need to act coy. A woman travelling alone is bound to have some experience in that particular area."
"And a man of your nature deserves to die!"
Deeply offended, Serena let her temper run loose as she pushed him roughly out of the way, years of running around with the boys in her neighbourhood coming into effect. Satisfied as he stumbled back from the unexpected move, she quickly unlocked her door and slammed it in the man's face before he could force it open. As her cheeks continued to burn, she braced her back against the wooden door as the man started to pound, demanding she open the door. Still shaking with anger, she breathed a sigh of relief, thanking the Heavenly Father.
Letting the mad man rant and pound on her door for several minutes, Serena rolled her eyes in exasperation as the door next door slammed shut. What a quick-tempered man. Ugh, if she ever had to run into him again, she would make the murder charge hanging over her a fact. Curious to see whether other patrons had heard the little commotion in front of her room, she opened the door and shrieked.
With his shoulder propped causally against the door frame the man smiled, a dangerous glint in his deep blue eyes.
A/N: Thank you for reading. Though, it might be a little while before the next chapter comes out. A week or so, so stay tuned. And this time I will make it longer.
