Page 55 of Captivating the Earl (Lords and Ladies in Love 5)

Although she had agreed with Hawk’s plan, now that the time had come to put it into action, she was frightened. She was in the middle of London, the Home Office was looking for her, and someone who probably worked for the Home Office wanted her dead.

Dressing up as servants was a good idea, and certainly a clever way to get them from Hawk’s townhouse to Lord Campbell’s without being seen. She pushed from her mind the plan to break into her father’s townhouse to look for damaging evidence that the Home Office had not found. What if they uncovered nothing, which was a possibility, since she had no idea what they hoped to find or even where to look? They would still want to talk to her, and Hawk could only resist his orders for so long.

She shuddered, wishing the entire thing settled. Then what? Would Society welcome her as Lady Hawkins? Or would young ladies and their mamas eschew her out of jealousy—having captured such a coveted bachelor? She might even be given the cut direct.

’Twas better to concentrate on one thing at a time.

Hawk pulled up his jacket collar. “Remember to keep your head down. Walk fast to the hackney, as if you are late to arrive back to your employment and are concerned about trouble with the housekeeper.”

Startled, she looked up at him. “Aren’t you coming with me?”

“Of course. But I will leave in about five minutes and walk to Cam’s house. One servant scurrying along at night, while not common, is not noteworthy. Two servants together would garner too much notice from anyone riding by.”

“But I don’t even know Lord Campbell.”

“Not to worry. I sent a missive along to expect you, by yourself, this evening. He has alerted his staff and will have someone at the back door to let you in. And, as I said, I will be right behind you by no more than twenty minutes.”

She nodded and took a deep breath. “And the hackney is on the street behind us?”

“Yes. One of my footmen arranged for it to be there, and he just checked. It awaits you.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her close. “Be careful. Walk quickly, don’t speak to anyone, and get inside Cam’s house as fast as you can.” He kissed her on the forehead, turned her around, and opened the door. “Go.”

Her heart thrummed as she hurried down the garden path and then opened the back gate to the street. Twenty feet down a hackney waited. The night was quiet, almost eerie, although she allowed that was probably her nerves. Her quick footsteps echoed in the night as she made her way. She was out of breath and her heart practically beating out of her chest when she reached the vehicle.

The driver dropped to the ground at her approach and tugged on his cap. “Good evening, miss.”

Afraid to speak, Lizzie merely nodded and entered the coach. It was a short ride, no more than seven minutes, and as she supposed the driver had been instructed, he pulled up to the back entrance of the townhouse. Once more he climbed down from his perch and opened the door. “We’re here, miss.”

“Thank you,” she mumbled. Not looking around, afraid to see something she didn’t want to see, she practically ran from the carriage, through the garden gate, and up the pathway. She must have, indeed, been expected because the door to the service entrance opened the minute she reached the bottom step.

“Good evening, my lady. Lord Campbell awaits you in the library. If you will follow me.” A very polished and livery-attired servant met her at the door. Her heart still pounding, either from fear or from the run, she trailed behind him.

They passed a food storage area, the kitchen, a wine cellar, the scullery, then servant offices and sleeping quarters. They made their way up the cramped, twisted servants’ stairs to the ground floor. A lovely carpet covered the polished wooden floor of the corridor. The servant cast a glance over his shoulder to make sure she was still with him. “Almost there.”

“Thank you.”

He came to a stop and knocked lightly on the door. A voice within bid him enter. He opened the door and stepping inside, said, “My lord, our guest has arrived.”

The servant moved aside, and Lizzie entered the room. It was spacious, shelves of books lining the four walls. A large Cherrywood desk occupied the center of the room. A low fire burned in the fireplace, and Lord Campbell rose from the comfortable-looking chair next to the window.

He laid a book alongside a glass of some sort of liquid. He walked toward her, studying her. He bowed and took her hand. “My lady, it is a pleasure to meet you.”

She dipped a slight curtsy. “Thank you for your assistance, my lord.”

Lord Campbell was a tall man, as broad shouldered as Hawk. His curly ginger hair skimmed the top of his cravat in the back. The locks covered his forehead, right above the greenest eyes Lizzie had ever seen, surrounded by shining bronze eyelashes.

His smile was both welcoming and mischievous.

He addressed the servant, who still stood at the door. “Frankel, take the lady’s coat and have Cook send in tea.”

Lizzie shook her head. “It is quite late, my lord. That will not be necessary.” She unbuttoned the plain dark garment and shrugged out of it.

“Nonsense. Nothing helps an escape in the darkness more than a good cup of English tea.” He smiled at her. “Is that not so?”

She immediately liked this man, who was as imposing and handsome as Lord Hawkins. Even though he was as fully dressed as a gentleman should be, he looked like sin searching for a place to settle in for the night. She was quite sure he had many a lady swooning at his feet. Except Lord Campbell didn’t do the things to her insides that Hawk did.

“Once you are settled with tea, you will please explain to me what it is Hawk has dumped onto my front doorstep.” Another teasing smile.

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