Page 31 of The Lady and the Footballer
“I’m all ears,” Tommy said.
“That should be your name,” Colin mumbled, causing Tommy to laugh.
He didn’t share anything as they changed, but when they began the short walk to the pub, he filled Tommy in on what he had discovered and what he and Lily were proposing to do.
“So, you are working together to determine who is out to get the team – if there is any truth to that?”
“Yes.”
“You do realize that her father could be behind it.”
“That would make no sense whatsoever,” Colin said, shaking his head. “The money disappearing belongs to him, and he would have nothing to gain from his mill being vandalized. I would put my money on one of the rival mill owners or one of the other clubs.”
“That would be very underhanded.”
“I’ve heard of worse.”
“What will you do if you’re caught in the club offices?” Tommy asked as they pushed through the maroon door, which the pub had painted to symbolize its standing with the club. The hour had grown late enough that the ornate lanterns flanking the entrance were lit to cast a golden glow at dusk, the murmur of voices and the scent of roasted meats and ale spilling out into the cool night air, welcoming them inside.
They had taken their time to walk here and were greeted by a hearty cheer when they entered the pub. Their teammates were already grouped around a long table, ales in hand.
“Took you long enough, ladies!” Mickey called out, but Colin was happiest seeing Joey sitting in their midst. A pair of wooden crutches sat beside him, but at least he was well enough to be out and about, even if he wasn’t on his feet just yet.
Drink and conversation flowed, but as much as Colin enjoyed himself, he couldn’t keep from looking at the clock.
He had a date to make.
And it was one that he couldn’t afford to miss.
Thankfully, no one noticed Colin was still nursing his first ale despite having been at the tavern for about an hour. Milton likely suspected but hadn’t commented. Colin hadn’t been able to keep his eyes away from the door the entire time.
Which, apparently, he was not doing a great job of hiding.
“Are you waiting for someone?” Rhys asked, eyeing him curiously.
“Not in particular.” Colin shrugged, telling himself to do a better job remaining nonchalant. He should have made a different plan with Lily. What was she supposed to do, walk in the front doors and have the entire team aware that the daughter of their major sponsor was among them, or, even worse, prowling around the club’s offices with Colin?
He should have told her to come in the back door and to give him a signal when she had arrived.
Foolish. He had been so excited about the plan that he hadn’t considered the particulars.
He should call this off.
Wait for her outside and tell her this was not a good idea.
He should?—
The door opened, and in she walked.
Only, he didn’t think anyone else would realize it was her.
He wouldn't have known it if he hadn’t been watching for her.
Gone was her usual attire, which told everyone she was the daughter of a viscount.
Instead, she wore a plain, grey wool dress devoid of embellishments. The gown’s high neckline and long sleeves hid the creamy white skin he knew was hiding underneath. Her usual fine gloves were replaced with coarse wool ones, while a simple shawl concealed her figure and added to her modesty.
If he hadn’t known better, he would have guessed her to be a woman on her way home from work in the mill or a nearby factory. Even her beautiful face was covered with a heavy bonnet pulled low, her long auburn curls tucked into a plain, unfashionable, tightly pulled-back knot behind her head.
