Chapter 16

"Stop the carriage! You two, come and have a drink with me!"

The command came suddenly from the back seat. The two guards exchanged a puzzled glance. They couldn't begin to guess what the young lady was thinking.

Inside the tavern, the lights were dim and the music pounded. The noise swallowed her whole.

It was Hannah's first time in such a place, and the racket made her uneasy. But somehow the chaos eased the knot in her chest.

She slid into a corner booth and ordered several bottles of brandy and sparkling wine.

When the waiter brought them, she lifted a glass, tipped back her head, and drained it in one swallow, as though it were medicine for her wounds.

Glass after glass. She drank like someone who had lost her mind.

The guards tried to stop her, but Hannah had sunk too deep into her own grief to hear them. The wine tasted like sweet spring water, soothing her parched heart.

As the hours passed, the alcohol took hold. What had seemed mild turned fierce, and its sting crept up on her. But she stayed lost in her own world.

Men around the tavern had noticed her beauty and were eager to approach. But when they saw the two grim, broad-shouldered guards beside her, they thought better of it.

As the night deepened, her thoughts blurred. Her body swayed, her eyes lost focus, and her words slurred.

The guards knew she couldn't go on like this and moved to take her away.

Hannah shoved off the guard's hand and shouted drunkenly, "Tonight, everything is on me!!!"

The music drowned her out. But the people nearby heard and laughed.

"Beautiful lady, is that true?"

"Is she just showing off?"

"Ha! Look at her. She's so drunk she's like a sack of flour. She doesn't know what she's saying."

A wicked smile spread across her lovely face, like a night sprite's. "Of course it's true!"

They assumed she was babbling and ignored her. Hannah turned to her guard. "Tell their manager to come and settle the bill with me tomorrow."

He shook his head and sighed. "Miss, you've had too much. Let's go."

"No... I... I didn't drink too much! I can still drink!!" Her tongue tripped over every word.

Then she gripped his arm, her face suddenly grim. "I'm going to be sick. Take me to the washroom. Now."

The guards hurried her there at once.

She hugged the basin and retched until most of the wine was out. Then she splashed her face with water and felt a little clearer.

As she stumbled back into the corridor, she saw someone she recognized: the man from the luxury boutique.

He was alone. His face was slightly flushed, clearly from drink, but he still carried himself with striking poise, tall and straight in his black suit. With a touch of wine on his skin, there was something severe and untouchable about him.

He passed her on his way to the washroom. Their eyes met, and his flickered. He recognized her too.

In that moment, a wildly reckless idea crashed into Hannah's mind.

She and Lucas had been married for years, and she had never conceived. The healers had said she wasn't barren, only that it would be difficult.

The man before her was extraordinarily handsome, with a face like a carved statue.

She couldn't help glancing back at his broad shoulders as he walked away. She swallowed.

Then she hurried to her guards and whispered, "Find a way to bring that man to an inn for me."

Her intention was plain.

The two guards stared at each other. They had never imagined the dignified young lady could be so reckless, or have such mad ideas.

One of them hesitated. "Miss, are you absolutely sure?"

Hannah nodded firmly, her eyes bright.

They looked troubled, thought it over, and said reluctantly, "Miss, we'll do our best. But it may be difficult."

She smiled faintly. "If you succeed, I'll have my father reward you handsomely when I return to the Harrington house."

At that, both men straightened and brightened.

They moved fast. They slipped into a shadowy corner of the washroom corridor and waited.

At last the man stepped out.

The guards traded a look and approached. One of them struck without warning, using a swift sleeper hold, and the man went limp, unconscious. It was clean and silent, and no one noticed.

Hannah had already returned to the carriage. She sat waiting in the front seat, her eyes full of hope, silently praying it would go smoothly.

Time dragged. Finally she saw the guards returning with the man.

Her heart pounded. When she saw him, a satisfied smile curved her lips.

The carriage rolled smoothly onward and stopped at a grand hotel.

She took a room and ordered the guards to carry the man up.

After they left, only she and the unconscious man remained.

His crystal was buzzing again and again, full of missed calls and messages.

Hannah picked it up. Dozens of calls had come in. She unlocked it with his hand and sent a short reply.

If you're busy, don't disturb me!

The instant it was sent, the calls stopped.

She let out a breath, silenced her own crystal, tossed it aside, and turned to the man on the bed.

She reached out and gently touched his cheek, feeling the warmth of his skin.

A flicker of guilt crossed her eyes, and she whispered, "I'm sorry... I know this is wrong. But tonight, I'll repay you with my body."

This night was fated to be a night of passion.