Page 40 of Entrancing the Earl
As they entered the lobby, the street doors opened to admit a slouching, slender man with receding dark hair. In a hazardous degree of impairment but dressed as a gentleman, he handed his hat and gloves to the doorman, who evidently recognized him.
“Uh oh,” Rainford murmured. “That’s Craigmore.”
The faux earl saw them before they could retreat to the stairs. “Rainford, well met! I may have a witness who knows where my daughters are, if your men are still interested in that reward.”
Behind him stood a short, robust lad wearing spectacles, a loose wool jacket several years out of date, and a trilby—over familiar dark curls.
Sixteen
“Baron Twaddle von Kitsch,”her stepfather drunkenly shouted, obliviously introducing Iona to the earl and his companion. “Student at the university. The baron says he has met the naughty pair.”
Hiding behind her spectacles, Iona bit back laughter and insouciantly swung her cane as she watched the reaction of the men in the lobby. Lord Ives looked as if he’d like to bite her head off. He’d recognized her instantly.
She assumed the icy-blond gentleman with him was the marquess. He just appeared bemused, as he should be if he knew German.
“Good of you, Craigmore,” the marquess said noncommittally. “Should you not follow up the lad’s suggestion and save yourself the reward money?”
“They’re on their way to Newcastle!” Mortimer cried. “I’m too old to catch up with them. Your lot are better equipped to follow.”
In other words, the reward money wasn’t his to save, and he lacked the coin to buy a ticket to Newcastle. Iona had anticipated that.
“I’ll handle this, Rainford,” Lord Ives said, shoving his way past Mortimer to get at Iona, a furious gleam in his eye. “I’ll take the baron to the tavern so he can explain what he knows to our friends.”
He had his hand around her elbow and was practically dragging Iona toward the door. Since she was eager to escape, she allowed it.
“Excellent, thanks, Ives. Tell Drummond I’ll finance his journey if he leaves tonight.” Rainford tipped his hat and escaped up the stairs.
“Wait a minute—” Mortimer cried as earl and marquess parted ways in different directions. “I want you to meet—”
Before her stepfather could say what he wanted, Gerard all but carried Iona out the door to the street, avoiding being introduced to the American, she assumed.
“I swear, I should leave you to the purple-vested pig,” he grumbled, dragging her down the busy thoroughfare. “Your mother didn’t spank you often enough.”
“She never spanked us. Our talents often came in useful. You’re the only one who sees through me. How could you know it was me behind these wretched pillows?”
“Only a blind man would be deceived!” he shouted. “Baron Twaddle, indeed. Mortimer is a complete and utter fool.”
“Well, yes, on this we can agree. That’s why I did it. I couldn’t resist when we ran into him on the street. By the way, whatever you’re paying your valet, it’s not enough. This really is a better disguise than I could have created. And we found it all at the second-hand market.”
“I’ll sack Lowell for this,” the earl muttered, signaling for a hansom. “Then I’ll kill him. Even university students have whiskers.”
“Not necessarily.” She rubbed her smooth cheeks. “And if you sack Lowell, I will hire him. Where are we going?”
“You don’t have tuppence to hire him. We’re going to Dare’s. Where did you stash Lowell and your baggage?”
“He’s right behind us, acting as a proper guardian. I do believe he carries a pistol.” Iona refused to climb into the carriage until the servant caught up.
“You are not redeemed,” the earl said coldly to his valet. “Guarding her should mean keeping her out of trouble.” He swung into the hansom and took the seat beside her.
The gray-haired valet implacably handed up Iona’s parcels. “If you will give me direction, my lord, I will meet you there.”
“Nonsense, Lowell. If the earl will quit sprawling in the seat, we can squeeze you in. I’m sure it’s just a short distance, and I cannot hold all these packages myself.” Iona elbowed his lordship.
The earl scowled and handed his servant coins. “You carry the rest of her loot. We’re heading for Viscount Dare’s on George Square.”
It was Iona’s turn to scowl. “You should not be so mean. Lowell showed me the most marvelous market where I could buy pretty gowns so cheaply I needn’t sell more pearls! He’s a gem among men.”
“Pearls? You have pearls to sell?” His lordship looked as if his head might blow off. “Are you receiving anywhere near a fair price for them?”
