“McNab,” the owner repeated. His face pulled into a frown. “They stayed here, for a while. Left to go to their own place.” He lifted his hand and pointed a finger at them. “You see McNab, you tell him he still owes me for their last week here. I never should’ve let him go without it. Slippery-tongued, that one is.”
“I will,” Miss Montgomery said carefully as Mark turned the man’s words over in his mind. Who preciselywerethese people for whom Miss Montgomery was searching? They were not, as he’d originally presumed, some society miss and her opportunity-minded husband.
“Did Mr. McNab say where their new home is?” Miss Montgomery asked the proprietor.
He shook his head. “Didn’t ask. But I’d like to lay eyes on the coins he owes me. You tell him that.”
After Miss Montgomery again promised to do just that, Mark thanked the man and ushered her out of that place as quickly as possible.
Outside, he grabbed hold of her arm, intending to demand to know who these McNabs were, but she spoke first, shaking off his grasp.
“Now, Mr. Becker, will you tell me how much my father is paying you to follow me around town?”
Chapter Six
MR. BECKER’S FACE WENTfrom surprised to irritated to amused all within the span of three seconds.
“More than I’ve made at any job I’ve had in my life.” He paused. “You weren’t supposed to know.”
At least he didn’t try to deny it. Charlotte appreciated that immeasurably. “My father consistently underestimates my intellect. I’m thankful it appears that you don’t also.”
He took off his hat and ran a hand over his dark blond hair. Strands of it caught the light from the sun. He must spend a lot of time outside, considering how that same sun had tanned his skin. And then the way the line of his jaw—
What was she thinking? Charlotte swallowed, trying to get hold of her runaway thoughts. This man was beingpaidto follow her. And an exorbitant sum too, if she knew her father. She ought to be angry at the both of them.
But Mr. Becker looked somehow both sheepish and determined, as if he was embarrassed he’d been caught and yet wasn’t about to give up the work either. It was admirable, she thought.
“Miss Montgomery, I—”
“I won’t tell him,” she said suddenly. “My father, I mean. I’d hate to put you out of work. Besides, you’ve done well at it. Aside from letting me figure it all out, anyhow.”
One corner of his lips lifted in an irritated smirk. “It’s difficult to remain unseen when one must constantly jump to your rescue.”
“I didn’t ask for help,” she reminded him. He did that all on his own. “My father said nothing to you about returning me to Baltimore?”
He shook his head. “My only instructions are to ensure your safety.”
