There was no sign of Mrs. Sheraton or, thank God, Carenza. If they were ensconced in the inn, he hadn’t seen them enter, and he’d been there for at least an hour planning the best way to execute his plan to save his friend from herself.
“Mr. Laurent.” Simon came up to him. “I think I’ve discovered why they chose this particular venue.”
Julian trusted his secretary implicitly, but even so, he’d struggled to confide in him and expose Carenza to further censure. It was only when he realized he couldn’t be seen openly meddling that he’d consulted with Simon and come up with what he hoped was a workable plan. Simon had applied to the advertisement posing as an applicant and had received further instructions by letter as to where he should meet the lady for his interview.
“Mrs. Sheraton’s dresser is related to the landlord, Mr. Cox, who has a second house right next door to the inn where his family resides.”
“Ah, so the two buildings are connected.” Julian nodded.
“Exactly, sir. Anyone could enter the house on the street behind this one and not be seen coming into the pub.” Simon took off the leather purse strung over his shoulder. “I have the coin here, sir, and the stable boys are ready and waiting at the corner.”
“Excellent. I think a judicious mix of the fear of ridicule in the press and some generous bribes should change most people’s minds.”
Simon glanced across the street, his expression doubtful. “I hope you are right, Mr. Laurent.”
“Make sure Roger and Mac have plenty of the smaller coins,” Julian said. “Their job will be to get rid of the onlookers while you focus on anyone who looks like a serious candidate. Remember, our aim is to make them all believe this is a gigantic joke to expose them all to the gutter press. I will stay here and emerge only if necessary.”
“Yes, sir.” Simon settled his hat more firmly on his head. “Wish me luck.”
Julian watched as his stable boys and secretary began their work. Soon, the crowd grew noticeably smaller, and within twenty minutes, most of the press had left as well. Finally, only three stubborn fools remained, obviously refusing to listen to Simon’s entreaties. Julian recognized all three of them and strolled toward the inn. The men didn’t notice him, as they were immersed in an argument about who would enter the inn first.
“What in God’s name is going on here?” Julian’s calm voice rose above the fray. He raised an eyebrow as one of the young bucks turned toward him. “Is that you, Calloway?” Julian asked. “Why the devil are you hanging around in the middle of a stable yard?”
“No one asked for your opinion, Laurent,” Calloway said. “Just toddle off and leave us alone.”
“You didn’t fall for that advertisement, did you?” Julian allowed a small chuckle to escape his lips. “Good Lord.”
“What’s it to you?” Calloway demanded.
“Just that I would’ve thought that a gentleman of your current … means would not want his face lampooned in the newspapers.” Julian looked at Calloway’s companions. “It will be a pity when your allowances are cut off after your families disown you in embarrassment.”
“I say, Laurent, you can’t—”
“No woman of means would be seen dead in this place.” Julian looked around the stable yard. “Admit it. You have been set up, gentlemen.”
“Maybe you want us to leave so that you can go in there yourself,” one of the men muttered.
“Hardly.” Julian met his gaze. “I need neither money nor approval from any woman. But please, go ahead.” He waved them toward the door. “Embarrass yourselves while I watch. I’ll be dining out on this story for years.”
Calloway made a rude gesture and strode toward the inn.
Julian looked over at the other two men who were muttering between themselves. “Do you intend to accompany him?” Julian asked. “If so, I am more than willing to make sure that your names are spelled correctly for the gentlemen of the press over there.”
Julian smiled as the men retreated. He turned to look up at the inn. It was likely that some of the men would find their courage and return, but he’d done his best to chase them off. Perhaps it would be good for Carenza to deal with a few of her “applicants” just to see how truly awful her idea had been.
Julian walked back onto the street. He had no intention of going through the same door Calloway had just entered. If Simon was correct, there was a far easier route to his misguided friend Lady Carenza, and he intended to make full use of it.
Olivia, clad in a black dress and a veil that was so thick she could barely see through it, was currently perched on the window seat trying to look down into the courtyard of the inn.
“Where did they all disappear to? Half an hour ago there were at least twenty gentlemen out there, and now there appear to be none.”
Carenza, who was similarly attired and sitting at the table, a notepad and pen in front of her, sighed. “I told you this was a ridiculous idea.”
“You did not.” Olivia came to join her. “You know full well that I wouldn’t have placed the ad if you hadn’t secretly wanted me to.”
There was a knock at the door, and Olivia hastily lowered her veil. “Yes?” she called out.
Bernadette, her maid, looked in. “There’s a gentleman to see you, ma’am.”
