Page 63 of Earl's Well That Ends Well (The Way to a Lord's Heart 5)

The earl nodded. “Indeed. We must make a plan to get in and discover what is inside that house.”

“We,” repeated Teresa with emphasis.

“The three of us and others,” Lord Macklin answered. “We will require help and unfortunately some little time.”

Teresa was as eager as Tom to move. She hated thinking of what might be happening to the dancers. But she knew he was right.

“We should get hold of that dismal scut who took Jeanne there,” said Tom.

“Yes.” The earl looked grim. “I will undertake that task. What is his name?”

“He didn’t give it at the theater,” Teresa replied. “He told Jeanne just to call him John.”

“Not his name then,” said Tom.

“No.” The earl’s expression didn’t bode well for the man. “But he must have been there before. Perhaps he let something drop.”

“I will ask the other dancers and send word to you,” said Teresa. Now that she had a specific target, she was certain she could learn more.

“I’ll scout out that house in the country,” added Tom. “See what’s what.”

“You shouldn’t go there alone. It is too dangerous.” Teresa would not see Tom hurt as well.

“I know how to do it,” the lad replied.

“He does, actually,” said Lord Macklin before Teresa could argue. “He’s proved that before.”

“I kin be a right sneak,” said Tom with a shadow of his old grin. “And I’m good at not being noticed.”

“You will be careful,” replied Teresa. It was not a question.

Tom put his hand on his heart and bowed.

“I will speak to Mr. Rigby,” she went on. When the others looked inquiring, she added, “The man at the gate looked like someone he might know.”

“Good thought,” said Tom.

All this was agreed. And then it was time for the earl to go. He took his leave with his customary courtesy and no sign of any change in his opinion of her.

“Thank you,” said Teresa. She offered her hand.

He brought it to his lips, and the look he gave her then shook her to the depths of her being.

Eleven

Arthur walked with Tom up to the door of Señora Alvarez’s house, all his senses sharp with anticipation. It had been only two days since he’d seen her, but it seemed much longer. This was what he’d come to; the hours felt empty if she was not near. And now he would see her home, the place she had made for herself. It felt like a privilege.

They knocked and were admitted by their hostess. As he took off his hat and gloves, Arthur absorbed the feel of the single large room. Clearly there had not been much money to spend on it, but the place had a simple elegance that did not surprise him in the least.

“I have sent my maid to visit her family,” said the señora. “I did not wish her to be involved.”

“Eliza’d probably like to be,” replied Tom. “She took a real pleasure in cozening Dilch.”

“She did, but this matter is more serious, and she is a young woman. Like those who were taken.”

“Right. Probably for the best, because there’s something going on in that house you found that they don’t want nobody to see.”

Señora Alvarez led them to seats. “Tell us,” she said.

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