Page 10 of The Earl's Reluctant Bride
“Do you mean to say that …”
Barlow’s voice trailed off and Alexander was certain he was thinking the whole affair was incredulous.
“If Erskine could travel disguised as a woman, then it stands to reason that Lady Elizabeth could travel disguised as a man,” Alexander concluded. “We are not looking for a couple traveling together, we are looking for two gentlemen, one of whom would fit the physical description of Lady Elizabeth, except for the attire of course.”
Relief washed over Barlow’s face. “I am pleased that I approached you Thornton, for I would not have thought of this.”
“Let us not celebrate prematurely. We should establish if any such persons are about. They could also be traveling as two ladies. However, given that it might be more dangerous to appear as two women traveling alone, I believe we are looking for men.”
“That is right. Let us split up so that I can revisit the stables while you enquire at the inn. I will meet you at the inn and we can share what we discovered and decide how we should proceed,” Barlow directed.
“I shall see you there,” Alexander replied as they headed in opposite directions.
Alexander approachedThe Old Mill, a quaint name for an inn. He entered and spoke with the proprietor. He was always amazed at what greasing a few palms with coin could accomplish. He believed the men the proprietor described could very well be Lady Elizabeth and her paramour. He was anxious to confront them but he cautioned himself to wait for Barlow. He stood outside the inn in the shadow of a neighboring building until Barlow approached. He chose this shadowed spot because they could speak discreetly with little chance of being overheard.
“Over here,” Alexander beckoned to Barlow.
“I have some news. One of the grooms said two gentlemen fitting our description arrived this afternoon. I think we may be in luck,” Barlow relayed.
“I agree. My inquiries at the inn have also been promising. The men are staying in adjoining rooms,” Alexander said.
“So how should we approach this?” Barlow shifted on his feet.
Alexander had sufficient time to consider this. “I propose we knock on the door of the gentleman who is smaller in stature so that we may confirm it is indeed Lady Elizabeth. I believe it is best to start with Lady Elizabeth as there is much we do not know. We need more information about this bounder before we confront him.”
“A wise course of action, Thornton. Shall we?” Barlow was impatient.
They entered the inn and Alexander led the way upstairs. He was told the gentlemen had the last two rooms on the right of the long corridor. He had no doubt the bounder would put Lady Elizabeth in the last room so they stopped at the last door. He allowed Barlow to take his place in front of the door and Barlow promptly knocked. They could hear rustling behind the door as footsteps approached it. The door swung open and a thin lad stood there. Alexander immediately noticed that the lad was wearing a hat. There was no good reason for this lad to be wearing a hat indoors.
Without a word, Barlow reached his hand in a swift movement and removed the hat from the lad’s head. The displaced hat revealed raven black hair that had been braided and pinned. The remainder of the disguise included a mustache and beard which would be comical if the situation was not so serious. Lady Elizabeth stood frozen like an ice sculpture.
Lady Elizabeth stepped back as Barlow pushed his way into the room then Alexander entered and closed the door behind them. Lady Elizabeth had not uttered a sound up to this point and she promptly sank into an armchair, her chin falling to her chest. Alexander surveyed the room which was much smaller than what a lady of her standing would be accustomed to. There was a small sofa across from Lady Elizabeth’s armchair and both gentlemen sat.
“Robert, what are you doing here?” Lady Elizabeth asked in a voice that was barely a whisper. Her gaze was focused on Barlow.
Barlow’s nostrils flared with fury. “Lizzy, you dare to askmesuch a question!What have you done? What is the meaning of this?”
Lady Elizabeth winced at the sound of his voice. Alexander squeezed Barlow’s shoulder for there would be nought to gain by creating a scene and adding fuel to the fire in this debacle.
Barlow inhaled deeply and his voice was more measured when he next spoke, “You do not understand the anguish that you have caused, Lizzy. Have you nothing to say for yourself?”
Lady Elizabeth did not cower or wilt under Barlow’s gaze. A feebler woman would have been in hysterics if she were found under similar circumstances. Alexander wondered how it was that Lady Elizabeth had the audacity to gaze at them as if they had committed an affront to her. He was astonished.
It appeared that Lady Elizabeth had recovered from the initial shock. She raised her head defiantly to gaze at Barlow.
“I am to be wed, Robert. Viscount Salisbury asked me for my hand and I accepted. He loves me and we shall marry,” she said with easy defiance as if with her pronouncement it was all a foregone conclusion.
CHAPTER6
Elizabeth removed the rest of her disguise. She could not believe what was unfolding. She was sure her parents had apprised Barlow of their match-making efforts and the sole purpose of his visit was to prevent her marriage to the viscount. She must help Barlow to understand what was at stake for she could never marry the Duke of Rochester.
“The hell you are!” Barlow jumped from the sofa, anger lighting his eyes.
The gentleman stood and for the first time since he entered the room, Elizabeth glanced at him. Her heart did that peculiar shiver. She immediately recognized him to be Alexander Crawford, the Earl of Thornton. Lord Thornton placed a hand on Barlow’s shoulder.
“Barlow,” Lord Thornton cautioned before both men reclaimed their respective seats.
Lord Thornton awkwardly cleared his throat. “Lady Elizabeth did you say that your gentleman is Viscount Salisbury?”
