“I told you we were meeting Lord Stafford, and why, Ezra,” Alice said as the two men stared at each other.
“I’m just checking his intention is all,” her footman muttered.
Instead of being angry, Lord Stafford nodded to her footman. “I promise you, Ezra, that my intentions toward your mistress are entirely honorable, and I am seeking out the same enemy.”
They stared at each other for long seconds, and then Ezra nodded. Lord Stafford then held out his hand, and her footman shook it.
Men were odd creatures, Alice thought. Women would want to chew over every detail for a while longer before they decided to like each other.
“It’s a foolish thing she does, my lord, but I understand loyalty and vengeance as good as the next man,” Ezra added.
“Ezra—”
“He’s right, it is a foolish thing for a lady to do,” Lord Stafford said.
“Then leave, and I shall do this myself, and we can go about the same business separately.”
“There is no need to be testy, my lady. Even you can see this is no place for a lady surely,” Lord Stafford said in a tone that had her wanting to slap his handsome face.
Alice refrained from hurling an insult at him. They needed to get this done and leave.
“You’ll have the devil’s time convincing her of that,” Ezra said.
“I’ve already worked that out,” came the deep reply.
“If you’re done, we will proceed,” Alice snapped.
“If you will stay at her back, Ezra, I shall go first, and then Lady Alice,” Lord Stafford said.
Lord Stafford shot her a look when she didn’t argue, but Alice was quite happy with being placed between the two men. She was nobody’s fool, and knew there would not be many women inside the Black Dog, and those that were there would very likely be more than capable of handling the advances of men, drunk or not.
“My informant will be looking for me,” Alice said.
“And will see you if he looks hard enough,” Lord Stafford added, which had him receiving a grunt of approval from Ezra.
They moved as one toward the building, which had a sign above the door shining on a black iron post. She eyed the large black dog and hoped that he was not awaiting them inside also.
Alice pushed her shoulders back as the door before them swung open and a man staggered out. After shooting them a blurry-eyed look, he headed off down the road.
“Be diligent,” Lord Stafford said over his shoulder.
He ducked to enter, and they followed, Ezra doing the same. The Black Dog was likely no different than many alehouses all over England. Flickering tallow candles and firelight barely cut through the gloom.
They were greeted with the sounds of rough laughter and slurred voices. A fiddle was scraping out a tune in one corner, and someone was attempting to sing along. Alice heard the clatter of carriage wheels and the distant church bells before the door closed behind them.
Sawdust, damp from spilled ale, gathered under the hem of her cloak as she walked. Exposed beams above her holding up the low ceiling were blackened with soot. All in all, it wasn’t a place she’d ever return to, Alice could say with absolute certainty.
Lord Stafford made his way to the bar, and Alice stayed as close as she could without touching him.You can do this.She saw two women, their skirts faded and dirty, laughing with men, and realized again how lucky she was that her life was not this one. That she did not have to earn her money by raising her skirts.
A hand in her back nudged her forward and she carried on walking behind the broad-shouldered marquess.
Reaching the bar, he stopped. Alice moved to stand beside him, and Ezra stayed behind them.
“Who is your informant?” Lord Stafford leaned down to speak to her, and his shoulder pressed to hers.
“I’m not sure which one, but it will be Huckle or Bea,” Alice said, looking around them. “It is hard to see with so many people all jammed in here.” Looking down, she saw the railing around the bar and climbed onto it, bracing her gloved hands on the sticky surface. She saw Huckle then. Seated in a booth to her right, he was alone and his eyes were on Lord Stafford.
Alice would have some fast talking to explain why the marquess was here and she’d not come alone.
