Breathtaking, astonishing, irresistible trouble.
CHAPTER 10
Next day
Chancery Lane, London
“You’ll have to come to the club for a drink sometime,” said Lord Tamber, placing his beaver hat firmly on his dark head. “I can introduce you to some friends.”
“I’d like that very much, my lord,” said Ben. “If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to contact me.”
“I’m not a hesitating kind of man,” he said with a chuckle. “My brother and I were taught to go after what we wanted.”
Ben knew most titled men were raised in the same fashion, encouraged to take whatever they desired and to the devil with everyone else. Ben liked the earl, though, who was more approachable than most noblemen he was acquainted with. Then he remembered Harry’s brother-in-law, the Earl of Darby. A man with integrity and a lack of class prejudice. Perhaps it just depended on the man, like the rest of the human race.
It was after five, and he was meeting Clayton at the Stock Exchange Coffee House for a drink and a meal. He hoped to find Mr. Felton on his nightly rounds afterwards, let him know his daughter was safe, and ask permission to court her. He clenched his teeth, hating the nerves that overtook him whenever he thought of it. Why? He’d never been anxious before when it came to women.
His last courtship had been with a young widow. A prime article, blonde with sea-green eyes and a delightful laugh. But she hadn’t been interested in a relationship, enjoying the freedom widowhood had brought her. That had been a year ago, and no one had caught his attention until Miss Felton. Kitty. Oh, how he longed to make her purr. Hold her in his arms, kiss those soft lips again, whisper in her ear and feel her shiver.
I’m getting ahead of myself, he thought as he stepped out onto busy Chancery Lane. The street was filled with vehicles, people trying to cross between the carriages and wagons, crowds moving both ways on each side of the street. A man bumped into him, mumbled an apology, and continued on. A scraggly dog dashed under a carriage, spooked the horses, and barely escaped a crushing wheel.
Most of the vendors were closing up, their wares sold by now. He increased his pace, knowing he had an hour’s walk, but enjoying the warmer weather too much to wave a hackney.
Would Clayton have good news? Ben desperately wanted the murderer to be found, so he could begin courting her in earnest. Living with strangers in fear for your life and your family was not the proper way to begin a relationship. He wanted her to come to know him, the man, not the solicitor whose family saved her. He was looking for, hoping for love not gratitude. In the present situation, he wouldn’t be sure about the reason for her affection—if any affection grew between them.
Weel, boyo, I t’ink ye’ve already let that cow out of da barn.
Ben chuckled to himself, thinking of what Paddy might say. His folks had an Irish saying for every situation. He thought of Miss Felton and her courage, and the tears she held back when speaking of her father and her dog.
He snapped his fingers. That’s what he’d do. Yes, she would like that. Ben decided to ask Paddy the next day. But first, he had to speak to a father about his daughter.
The Coffee House was humming with customers. It was a popular public house for bankers and neighborhood businessmen. It was close to home for both him and Clayton, who lived on Threadneedle. For now. Ben wondered how long before Clayton and Genie would purchase a townhouse and move from his rooms. Clayton’s place wasn’t ideal for a family, and he had the impression the couple was eager to start one.
He nodded to Sally, the buxom barmaid who knew everyone’s drink and favorite dish, and scanned the large room for his brother. Sally stopped in front of him, a tray filled with bumpers of ale and a half loaf of fresh bread.
“He’s back there,” she said with a toss of blonde curls. “Got some tasty rabbit stew today.”
“Sounds perfect,” he said with a wink, heading toward his brother who sat at the end of a long table.
“Brother, how goes the office?” Clayton asked with a snicker. “I don’t know how you can sit behind a desk. I’d be dicked in the knob if I had to stay locked up in a room all day.”
“First, I’m not locked in. I enjoy my work. It’s not a prison. And I don’t have to wear grimy clothes and forget what dialect I’m speaking on any given day.”
“Point for Ben.” Clayton nodded at the ale he had waiting for his brother. “Did you order the stew?”
“I usually take whatever Sally suggests. She’s never steered me wrong.” Ben took a long pull on the ale.
“She knows her customers,” agreed Clayton. “I used to think I didn’t need a wife between Sally, Bess at Dog’s Bone, and my landlady.”
“Genie has convinced you otherwise.”
“I believe fate convinced us both.” He looked over Ben’s shoulder. “Here comes our girl.”
Sally set down their bowls of steaming gravy, vegetables, and meat, with a fresh hunk of bread and churned butter.
“If I wasn’t betrothed, Sally…” Clayton grinned at her as he picked up a spoon.
“Before ye was betrothed, ye used to say, ‘If I was a marryin’ man.’” She rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “Anythin’ else?”
