“Broderick? Where are you?”
His uncle’s call startled Broderick enough to loosen his grip. The man took the opportunity to kick Broderick’s shin. When he let go, the man sprinted down the alley toward the street, bumping into Henry. Broderick shot off after the stranger, but the pain in his shin kept him from running fast. When he reached his surprised uncle, he stopped.
“What in the blazes was that all about?”
“I wish I knew.” Broderick bent and rubbed the bruise on his shin. “That man was following me, which is why I went up the alley. Before I could get anything out of him, you called.”
Henry frowned. “Why was he following you?”
“Once again, Uncle, that’s something I wish I knew.” Grumbling under his breath, Broderick stood and met his uncle’s worried gaze. “What is it that you want?”
“Well, you left in such a rush, I couldn’t understand what was wrong.”
“Forgive me, Uncle. I felt as if someone was watching us. I left to see if that person would follow,” he said, not quite telling the whole truth. He limped back toward the inn, and his uncle walked beside him.
“Did he look familiar to you?” Henry asked.
“No. Did he look familiar to you?”
“Not at all.” Henry shook his head.
“Well, hopefully, it was just some man waiting to rob me.”
Henry gasped as he slowed his steps. “Hopefully? Do you mean you wanted it to be worse?”
“No, Uncle. I’m hoping it wasn’t someone who had anything to do with Lady Sarah or Miss Emmie.”
“Oh, I understand now.” He lifted his chin and walked faster. “Well, I had not planned on taking Lady Sarah to any social gatherings.”
“Good.”
“However, Mr. Goodfellow has invited me and my family to his dinner party tonight.”
It was Broderick’s turn to stop. “What did you tell him?” He glared, hoping he didn’t have to argue with his uncle out here in front of everyone.
“I told him we would be delighted.”
Broderick quickly started planning. He would not go with his uncle to this dinner. However, this was the very excuse he needed to help Emiline find her mother. He would act as his uncle’s driver, and hopefully, nobody would notice that Emiline came along as the footman. This opportunity would give her the chance to look for her mother. If this party didn’t give them what they hoped for, Broderick would attend the next party his uncle was invited to, if only to ask questions about her mother’s location.
“Well,” Broderick answered, “wewill not be delighted to attend Mr. Goodfellow’s dinner. You, Aunt Martha, and Rebecca can go, but I cannot.”
“Why not?”
“Because I have other plans.”
“Like what?”
Broderick folded his arms. “Do you recall when I mentioned I was going to have my crew meet me here?”
“I do.”
“That is what I’m doing this evening. However, to keep my disguise and not draw undue attention to myself, I need to act as your driver when you attend this gathering with Mr. Goodfellow.”
“Are you jesting?” Henry’s eyes widened.
“Not at all. People won’t care about a servant meeting in secret with other men.”
Henry shrugged. “Perhaps.”
