Page 60 of Choosing Her Earl at Last
“I will tell you! I will tell you,” the man protested, almost whimpering in fear at the absolute rage that he saw in Colin’s eyes. “But you cannot kill me if she is not there by the time you arrive. Mr. G will be expecting this. It is most likely why he sent me here in his stead. He must have known that you would not keep to your instructions. He must have known that you would violate the agreement.”
The younger man glared at them accusingly as if it were they and not his own life choices that had put him in the situation that he now found himself in. “By now, he has probably moved her to a new location or killed her for what you have done.”
Unable to stop himself, Colin punched the man square in the face.
Chapter 25
“Take me to the Green Dragon Tavern,” Emmeline commanded Ezra Hardy the moment that Colin and Michael had left the Frampton family townhouse with the money and paintings.
“My lady, I must protest once more about this plan of yours to confront this criminal, Mr. G, alone. I know that we suspect that he is your husband, the marquess, but we do not know for certain what he is capable of and what he will do,” Mr. Hardy reminded her.
“If he meant to hurt me, he could have done that many times during our marriage. He did not. I do not believe that he will harm me now. I do not know why he has taken Rebecca, or why he wants my father’s paintings when he could have had anything that he desired of them during our married lives together.
The money that I inherited from my father could have been his as well if he had been honest with me and told me of his financial difficulties. None of this makes any sense to me, and the only way that I can get the clarity that I need is to go and speak with him myself.”
“My lady, why would a man fake his own death, then return to London to live the life of a criminal? If he wanted to only speak with you, he could have done that at any time while he was believed to be alive, or any time after his supposed death,” Mr. Hardy attempted to make her see reason.
“There is something wrong with this situation beyond what we can see. I urge you to proceed with the utmost caution.”
Emmeline, in an uncharacteristic moment of physical affection, took the butler’s hand. “I have to do this, and you are the only man who can help me.Willyou help me?”
Moved by her entreaty, Mr. Hardy reluctantly nodded his head in agreement. “I will take you, but I will not be leaving your side.”
Emmeline nodded in understanding. “Agreed. Thank you, Mr. Hardy.”
The butler eyed her attire and frowned in concern. “You should change into something that speaks less of your title and standing in society, my lady. Where we are going, those clothes will place you in far greater danger of being robbed along the way.”
Emmeline’s eyes widened, and her mouth went dry. “I do not have anything lesser,” she admitted. She had intentionally worn her worst dress so that she would not stand out, and yet, here her faithful servant stood informing her that it was still not enough.
“I will speak with one of the maids whom I trust to keep a secret. I am certain that she will be willing to lend you some appropriate clothing.” Mr. Hardy left the room to do as promised.
Emmeline stood in the library, staring out of the window, seeing but not really seeing the city beyond. Her thoughts and fears lay entirely with Rebecca and what might happen to her if Emmeline did not make it to the Green Dragon tavern in time. Emmeline had sent a secret letter in response to Norman’s ransom demands, agreeing to meet with him.
She had asked that they meet within the tavern as a public establishment, believing that it had made the meeting safer, but now she was not so certain. If Michael and Colin made it to the original rendezvous point before she had met with her husband, she feared the consequences for them all.
Mr. Hardy returned with a maid’s clothing draped over his arm. “I believe that these will fit, my lady.” He handed her the plain dress, shoes, and stockings.
Emmeline took them gratefully. “Please convey my gratitude to the original owner.”
“She is glad to serve, my lady,” Mr. Hardy reassured her. “I will give you a moment to change your clothes, and then we will go.”
Emmeline nodded her head. “Thank you,” she replied as he bowed, then left the room to await her in the hall beyond.
Emmeline quickly changed out of her clothes and slipped into the maid’s disguise. Once dressed, she stood in front of the mirror and made her hair a bit more like the maid’s that owned the clothing.
Eyeing her reflection with critical appraisal, she turned this way and that to make certain that she was convincing as a servant, then walked over to the door. Opening it, she nodded to Mr. Hardy, who was standing guard on the other side. “I am ready,” she informed him.
Mr. Hardy looked her over from head to toe, gave her a nod of approval, then led her down into the servants’ portion of the house and out the back door.
“Forgive me, my lady, but from the moment that we leave this house, you are no longer the Marchioness of Worthington, but just another young maid going about her duties. The world does not treat maids as they do a lady of nobility. You must remember that as you interact with others in these clothes. You are not protected by your rank and privilege now. Do you understand what I am saying to you?”
He held her eyes in earnest.
“I do, Mr. Hardy. I assure you that I will behave accordingly,” she promised. “I trust your leadership in this endeavor.”
Mr. Hardy nodded. “Forgive me, my lady, but I cannot call you by your title’s honorific while we are in the tavern.”
Emmeline nodded in understanding. “You may address me by my given name while we are in disguise.”
