He halted in front of the walkway to her uncle’s house. Staring up at the elegant mansion, she swallowed her dismay. She rather enjoyed being in his company, which was all the more reason to leave it.
“I hadn’t planned on being in London for more than a day, my lord. And given the circumstances, I feel it unnecessary for me to extend my stay,” she said.
“I disagree, Mrs. Adare. I think it is imperative we waylay any suspicions Randell may have about our friendship.”
“I will consider it,” she lied, chancing a nervous glance up at the stately door. “I thank you for your assistance, but I am afraid I have taken up enough of your time.”
“It would be most ungentlemanly of me not to walk you to the door.” The scowl was back in play. He didn’t know how to take no for an answer.
More time in his company would weaken her earlier resolution. He was a gentleman, and he was behaving as one. The problem was, she wasn’t used to acting the lady. “Really, my lord, it is most unnecessary, I—”
“Elizabeth!” Lady Nora Coburn came rushing up the walk from the other direction pushing a pram. In another life, she had been Elizabeth’s governess before she left her post for another. Petite, with dark hair under a fashionable bonnet, Nora married later in life and was recently blessed with a child.
Elizabeth cursed under her breath at being caught with Langdon. She was hoping to rush inside before she was seen by anyone in the house. “Hello Aunt, how is little Sarah?” she asked, referring to the baby in the pram. While she had given up hope of having children of her own, she adored babies and had spent hours the previous night helping her aunt care for the fussy infant.
“She is asleep.” Nora beamed at them, the lines of exhaustion around her eyes disappearing. “Lord Langdon, a pleasure to see you. I was not aware you were acquainted with my niece.”
Lucky for Elizabeth, Langdon was more used to artifice. He pasted on a pleasant smile and nodded. “We met while I was visiting my new estate in the country, and it was a most fortunate occurrence that we could renew our acquaintanceship a few minutes ago.”
“A most fortunate occurrence indeed, for both Elizabeth and I.” Lady Nora turned contemplative brown eyes to her niece. She squeezed her hand and offered a bright smile to Langdon. “I was just about to order luncheon. Won’t you join us?”
“As much as I would enjoy an afternoon spent in such delightful company, I have business to see to. I shall attend the Nattering’s soiree tonight with my mother and sisters. Perhaps I will see you there?” The blatant hint in his voice sent a calculating gleam to Lady Nora’s eyes; a look that didn’t bode well for Elizabeth.
“You most definitely will,” Nora answered, rolling the pram back and forth to quiet the child.
While a part of Elizabeth wanted to see him again—for the sake of the citizens of Upper Waverly—she dreaded such a meeting. She was frantically searching her mind for a way out of this mess. The last thing she wanted to do was attend a London event.
“Lady Coburn, Mrs. Adare, until this evening.” Langdon flashed Elizabeth a winning smile, deciding for her.
Elizabeth narrowed her eyes and winced at the scream that issued from the pram. She echoed the baby’s sentiments. The vexatious man turned on his heel and left the same way he came. More cries from Sarah drew her attention back to her aunt.
“Would you like me to walk her some more?” she asked, needing something to occupy her mind other than Langdon. The park across the street looked rather inviting.
“I believe she is hungry. Come inside, Elizabeth. We have much to do before tonight. You will need a dress. While I daresay you’re much thinner in the middle, we’re of a similar height. My maid can alter one of my gowns for you.” She pushed the pram up the walkway, still grinning despite her protesting child.
She dutifully followed, her stomach in knots at the prospect of being seen by so many people. Langdon had a point, and it nettled her to no end. In the course of an afternoon, he had fooled her into thinking he was someone else, saved her life, and now he was helping her when nobody else would. Either he was sent by the heavens to help her or to torture her.
Regardless of the outcome, he was her only hope, and she had to have faith in him.
Chapter Six
Langdon entered the Dog and Bear Pub and was instantly assaulted by the smell of meat pies wafting up from the kitchen below. There was a lively bustle about the place as men sat drinking the pub’s famous ale. He sighed with satisfaction. Walking through the door was like coming home.
After a sweep of the room, he settled his gaze on the big hulk of a man sitting in the back of the establishment. The black-clad figure leaned against the rough-hewn wall, his dark onyx gaze fixed on the comely figure of the bar’s owner, Polly. Most people thought he was dangerous, and they were right. He was wicked deadly with a knife, the type of man most men would wish to be by their side in a fight.
