Page 50 of Almost a Countess

Turning to let his gaze follow the manas he made his way to a table by the window, Scarlet sipped his aleand frowned. Somehow, he’d missed interrogating this man, althoughhis name rang a distant bell. He turned back to the bar as Mrs.Jameson hurried behind it. “Mrs. Jameson, that gentleman who justcame in, who is he?”

“Mr. Cardrew? He’s thesurgeon what serves the village and the people hereabouts. A nicegentleman. He’s not married, so he comes here most days for a biteof something so he’s no need to cook.” The innkeeper headed intothe kitchen and emerged almost immediately with a steaming platefilled with mashed potatoes, beef, and gravy that smelled wonderfuland carried it to the table.

Mr. Cardrew dug into the mound of foodwith such gusto Scarlet wished he had time to enjoy a plate beforethey had to go. So this was the doctor Miss Harper had called toher father. Had the gentleman truly had the smallpox? Geoffrey hadchecked himself each evening before retiring for any signs of thered spots, but he’d found none and felt fit as a flea. Perhaps Mr.Harper had actually had a different ailment.

Without further thought, Geoffrey tookhis glass and sauntered over to the man. “Mr. Cardrew? LieutenantGeoffrey Scarlet. May I have a word, sir?”

Mouth full of pie, the physicianindicated the bench seat across the table from him. Once heswallowed, he said, “How can I help you, lieutenant?”

“As my men and I weresearching for an escaped prisoner, I had occasion to visit a MissHarper on her estate at Bromley almost a fortnight ago. Her fatherwas very ill, and she said you suspected smallpox. I simplywondered if the gentleman has recovered?” Geoffrey certainly hopedso, for his own sake. “Or if perhaps he was afflicted with someother malady?”

His mouth full again, Cardrew chewedslowly, gazing at Geoffrey with a puzzled look on his face. Hewashed his pie down with a swallow of ale and shook his head. “I’msorry, lieutenant, but I’m afraid you’ve gotten the householdconfused with another you’ve called upon.” The surgeon wiped hislips and nodded. “I was called to Miss Harper’s estate to tend to apatient, however it was not her father. Lord Downing has not beenin residence in York at all this year, I believe. He comes veryseldom.”

A sinking feeling in his stomach madeGeoffrey clutch his glass. “Who were you summoned toattend?”

“A cousin of Miss Harper,a Mr. Bowman who was traveling north to Scotland when he took afall from his horse.” Cardrew waved his hand. “A very slight sprainof the ankle. He’s likely already on his way.”

The ale in Geoffrey’s stomach was nowthreatening to make another appearance. “Can you tell me what Mr.Bowman looks like?”

Cardrew frowned as he picked up hisfork again. “A young man in his twenties, I expect. I’m not certainabout his height as he was lying down when I saw him, but I’d sayyour height, perhaps. A good, strong physique.” The doctor frownedas he put a forkful of the pie in his mouth. “Dark red hair. Do youknow him?”

Geoffrey slammed the glass down on thetable, shattering it. Ale flew everywhere as he leaped up,bellowing, “Damnation! Everyone in the saddle now!”

Out the door at a run, Geoffrey slowedto jerk the reins loose and leap onto the horse’s back. Not evenwaiting for the others, he kicked the horse into a canter and toredown the road.

Minutes later, Newcomb, whose horsehad won several races back at Fort William, pulled alongside him.“Lieutenant, what’s happened? Where are we going?”

“Miss Harper’s estate. Thebitch lied to us. Aberfoyle is there. Or was.” Geoffrey ground histeeth and urged the horse into a gallop. He’d have a talk with MissHarper, oh yes, he would. And if the treasonous Scot wasn’t to befound, he’d make certain the cunning jilt told him where thewhoreson had gone, no matter what he had to do to assure hercooperation.

Chapter 20

After a tedious day of riding inclothes that chafed and itched in all the wrong places, Finn hadnever been so glad to see the carriage sweep into the yard of TheRed Lion in Doncaster. The thought of four more such days on theroad had him reconsidering the merits of his disguise for the pasthour, but for the moment, the prospect of shedding theseuncomfortable clothes for a nightshirt of his own was extremelyappealing. Of course, he’d still need to continue the disguisethrough dinner, but that was easily done with the freedom to comewithin sight.

The duchess and Dora had alreadydescended from the carriage, so Finn gathered his skirts and heldhis breath. Earlier at one of their stops to change horses, he’dtripped going down the steps, ending up in the arms of the startledcoachman. Finn prayed for better balance and emerged from the door.The driver grasped his arm, and Finn managed, more or lessgracefully, to descend the two steps. He grinned and said in a highfalsetto, “Thank ye, Marks,” before joining Dora and her aunt asthey turned to enter the inn.

Another thing Finn had to get used towas that the duchess, and not he, was in charge. At the firstcoaching inn they stopped at, he’d naturally started into the innto order drinks for them, but the duchess had stopped him, her handlike iron on his wrist.

“Mrs. Devereaux, allow me,my dear. You are my guest, after all. I will arrange therefreshments for the three of us.” Her glare would have made ageneral cower.

Finn nodded, chagrined. “O’ course,Duchess. Ye are too kind.”

After that he’d had to school hisimpulses to take the lead whenever they stopped. Pretending to be awoman gave one an education like no other.

Now on firm ground at the day’s end,Finn luxuriated in stretching his legs as they headed into The RedLion. The servants’ carriage had already arrived, so theiraccommodations should have been readied for them. He for one wouldbe happy to be able to undress and indulge in being a male oncemore. He glanced toward Dora. The only other thing he could ask forwould some time to speak with her alone.

Their conversation throughout the dayhad been strained. The duchess’s presence meant they could speak ofnothing more intimate than the weather or the health of herparents, so they were treated to the duchess’s recounting of Dora’ssister-in-law’s marriage and the nefarious schemes of Dora’sfather. However, after so many hours in Dora’s presence, he wantednothing more than the opportunity to talk to her about anythingthat did not include her family or how extraordinary the heat wasthis time of year. They had given their word not to kiss or indulgein other intimacies, not even the innocent hand-holding engagedcouples were allowed. He’d noted, however, that they had not beenforbidden to converse privately. He certainly didn’t have much hopeof Dora sneaking away for any length of time so they could speakcandidly, but a few minutes after dinner might bepossible.

He and Dora followed in the duchess’swake as she called for the innkeeper and made certain the roomswere to her liking. “I hope my servants were quite clear in myrequirements, my good man.”

The proprietor, a Mr. Osborne, noddedhis head so quickly Finn could have sworn he felt a breeze. “Yes,Your Grace. They gave me strict specifications, and I believe TheRed Lion has met them all for you.” He started up a flight ofstairs on the far wall, followed by their little procession. “Justthis way. I’ll show you up.”

Finn brought up the rear, againwatching his step. Though both men and women’s dress shoes had highheels, they balanced differently, as he’d found to his dismayearlier. And with his ankle still tender, he didn’t wish to turn itand aggravate it again.

Osborne led them toward the back ofthe establishment and opened the last door on the right. “This isour best chamber and parlor combination, Your Grace. It overlooksthe woods,” he gestured to the good-sized window that did indeedhave several trees growing right next to it, “so it is nice andquiet during the night.” He moved to a door on the right and openedit onto a spacious parlor. “This room should serve all your needsfor meals or entertainment this evening.” He looked expectantly atthe duchess.

“This will do nicely, Mr.Osborne. I thank you.” The duchess nodded her head graciously, theostrich plumb in her hat waving regally. “Now, where will Mrs.Devereaux lodge?”

“This way, Your Grace.” Hereturned to the corridor and led them back toward the stairs. “Ifthis chamber is acceptable to the lady,” Osborne opened a door to asmaller bedroom, but Finn nodded happily, for the room had a largedouble bed and looked out on the woods as well.